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The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) has announced the launch of a landscape design competition for its headquarters.
This competition is a key project in putting into action the themes and priorities of the OAA’s five-year strategic plan, such as climate action and equity, diversity, inclusion and reconciliation.
The landscape design competition will also explore how to sustainably design and adapt buildings and their site context, taking into consideration the land users and Aboriginal communities on which the buildings sit.
In addition to understanding the context of the Don Gorge, participants will be asked to create an experience that welcomes arrival, enhances architecture, and recognizes the role of sustainability and water in environmental health.
The association also aims to further develop its update+refresh Initiative to make Toronto buildings exemplars of net-zero design.
The winning entry in the anonymous competition will receive a contract to redesign the landscaping of the OAA estate at 111 Moatfield Drive.
OAA’s primary mission is to serve and protect the public interest and seeks to provide leadership in celebrating sensitive, responsible and innovative design while emphasizing the role of the architectural profession and design professionals in building resilience and inclusion.
The competition will be overseen by Ontario Architect Joe Lobko and is open to teams led by licensed members of the OAA or full members of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) through a practicing certificate or landscape architecture firm. All participating teams must include an Old Age Living Allowance landscape designer and a civil engineer.
Designs from qualified applicants will be reviewed by an anonymous panel of esteemed judges, including Susan Speigel, architect at SSA Studio and Vice President of OAA, Sheila Boudreau, landscape architect at Spruce Lab, Governor-appointed OAA Michelle Longlade, Associate Council Member, Marc Ryan, Landscape Architect, Public Work, Liz Wreford, Landscape Architect, Public City.
Submitted works will be displayed anonymously as part of a public exhibition at OAA headquarters and will be on display for viewing during Toronto’s annual Open Doors event in May. The winning design will receive a $20,000 award and be selected to lead the landscape redesign project. Two Honorable Mentions will also be selected, each receiving $5,000.
“This competition is a natural extension and continuation of the spirit of the Renew + Refresh project,” said Lara McKendrick, OAA Vice President and Chair of the Architectural Committee. “We see this competition as an opportunity to think about how we can take steps to repair our relationship with the land and its original stewards. The key considerations underpinning this are what constitutes responsible landscape intervention in times of climate change and reconciliation measure.”
The competition will officially launch on March 20th, and final submissions will be due on May 16th.
More information about the tournament will be posted on the OAA website in the coming weeks.
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