Dedicated to sustainable,
high performance building

2026 Awards Winners

We thank our Sponsors

Thanks to our 2026 jury (left to right)

  • Mona Lemoine is an Associate, Senior Sustainability Consultant, and Chair of DIALOG’s Green Practice Roundtable. 
  • Drew Adams  BES (planning), MArch, OAA, RAIC. Principal of Studio ADO
  • Sergio Acevedo  Architect, OAQ, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, ENV SP
    Sustainable Development Manager Jodoin Lamarre Pratte architectes

Commercial Large: Cooperators Headquarters

This project is remarkable, both for the expansive vision of the client, and for the determination of the design team to realize it in all its aspects. With ZCB Building, LEED Gold and WELL platinum certification in hand; and ZCB Performance, BOMA Best and Rick Hansen accessibility certification pending, the project sets an inspiring yet readily transferable precedent for Canadian corporations.

Commercial Small: BMO Fischer Hallman Branch

This project demonstrates how a standard commercial typology can be reimagined using Passive House principles and low-carbon materials. As a prototype for future bank branches, we appreciate the successful integration of strong energy performance, prefabricated timber construction, and a clear focus on occupant wellbeing.

Technical Merit Award: The shíshálh Nation 10 Home Rescue Project

This project is notable for its exceptional commitment to circularity and community-led development. By relocating and retrofitting existing homes rather than demolishing them, it preserves significant embodied carbon while delivering much-needed affordable housing. Its social impact comes from strong cultural grounding and meaningful involvement of the Nation throughout the process.

Interior Design: University of Waterloo ESC Building Third Floor 

This project demonstrates how an existing research environment can be modernized to improve both energy performance and user experience. The renovation transforms a fragmented floor of a 1960s building into a brighter and more collaborative research space, supported by rigorous mechanical system upgrades.

Existing Building: Falkland Project  

The transformation of this 19th-century house into a high-performance workspace, while preserving its historic character, shows a strong command of retrofit strategies and envelope improvements. The reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are particularly significant, making this project an inspiring and transferable example of how deep energy retrofits can contribute to the low-carbon transition.

Institutional Large: Limberlost Place

A landmark institutional project that successfully combines architectural ambition with advanced environmental performance. The mass timber structure, natural ventilation strategies, and net-zero carbon approach demonstrate clear leadership in sustainable academic design. Beyond its technical achievements, the project establishes a compelling vision for the future of low-carbon institutional buildings.

Institutional Small: Buffalo Crossing Paul Albrechtsen Visitor Centre

An exceptional architectural response that seamlessly integrates Passive House performance with a deeply rooted ecological and educational narrative. The project demonstrates a rare synthesis between building, landscape, and environmental stewardship, creating an immersive experience that extends beyond architecture. Its role as a visitor centre becomes a powerful platform for public engagement and environmental awareness, amplifying its impact well beyond its program.

Mixed Use: Koffler Scientific Reserve Dining and Operations Centre

Demonstrating an elegant and restrained approach to sustainable design in a sensitive ecological landscape, this project excels through passive strategies, net zero energy performance, and a thoughtful architectural language rooted in local agrarian traditions. Its minimal footprint and strong connection to the land reflect a deep commitment to ecological stewardship.

Residential Large: tul'al’txw – Student Housing Commons

This project shows a remarkable integration of Indigenous culture, architecture, and landscape, creating a powerful sense of belonging and identity on campus. The spatial organization around the central Hearth, combined with a sequence of gathering spaces, reflects a deeply rooted and culturally grounded design approach. The project successfully translates cultural values into built form while achieving a high level of environmental performance.

Residential Small: Split Rock Healing House

This project stands out for its exceptional ability to unify architectural expression, cultural meaning, and high-performance design into a coherent whole. Its spatial quality, materiality, and deep connection to the land elevate it far beyond a conventional residence. The integration of Passive House principles with Indigenous values creates a powerful and meaningful architecture. It sets a new benchmark for holistic and regenerative design.