SABMag 87 - Summer 2025
Thanks to the advertisers who supported this issue
- 475 High Performance Building Supply
- AquaTech/Lochinvar
- Canada Green Building Council
- Canadian Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute
- Cape Cod Siding/ Marwood Ltd.
- CBC Specialty Metals
- CertainTeed
- Construction Specialties
- D. Grant Construction
- DesignPoint
- Decoustics
- Duxton Windows & Doors
- EcoSpex
- Énergir | Subventions Rénovation efficaces
- INLINE Fiberglass
- Innotech Windows + Doors
- JELD-WEN
- Legalett
- Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada Inc.
- Olympia Tile + Stone
- OMC Landscape Architecture
- Premier Metals
- Sun Glow
- Tempeff
- Tremco Construction Products Group
- Trespa
- TriAxis Construction
Institutional (Large) Award
CANADIAN CENTRE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADAPTATION – University of Prince Edward Island, St. Peters Bay PEI
In terms of performance, this project was exemplary for its use of local materials including PH certified windows, which resulted in very low levels of embodied carbon. The program Is very progressive, integrating local Indigenous, Western, and global research communities within a collaborative, immersive 24-hour living lab environment.
Existing Building Upgrade Award
ROSS CREEK ANNEX – Canning NS
A very valuable and beautifully executed example of the preservation, upgrading and repurposing of a building typology familiar in many small communities across Canada. Also notable were the diversity of activities the building now supports and the decision to make accessibility central to the design, by relocating the entrance ramp to the front of the building.
Commercial/Industrial (Small) Award
UBC SMART HYDROGEN ENERGY DISTRICT (SHED) – Vancouver BC
The jury appreciated the thoughtful integration of this facility into the public realm of the campus, a beautiful example of an emerging typology, and a welcome departure from the traditional gas station. As a highly visible urban amenity, it is a great catalyst for energy innovation and education.
Commercial Industrial (Large) Award
TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS – Toronto ON
With its solar chimneys and water walls, this four-storey office building was notable for its innovative and highly visible environmental strategies. Its use of mass timber reduces embodied carbon, while creating an attractive work environment. The careful siting adjacent to the Black Creek ravine gives occupants easy access to the natural environment.
Interior Design Award
PERKINS + WILL – Vancouver BC
This systematic approach to the reuse, reassembly and reimagining of existing furniture from a previous office is highly commendable; the more so because this facilitated the creation of a flexible and collaborative workspace to support employee wellness. The educational materials this process has generated are exemplary, as is the reduction in embodied carbon compared to new furniture. This project sets an example future clients will be encouraged to emulate.
Institutional (Small) Award
NOVA SCOTIA NATIVE WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION (NSNWA) Administration Office and Resiliency Centre – Millbrook NS
This project embodies a progressive vision of sustainability, cultural significance, and inclusivity. It achieves Net-Zero Operational Energy through passive solar strategies, a high-performance envelope, and rooftop PV. The focus on resilience, critical for all community buildings, is commendable; as is the seamless interweaving of Mi’kmaq cultural strategies into the architecture.
Institutional (Small) Award
FOREST EXPLORERS OUTDOOR EARLY LEARNING CENTRE – Ottawa ON
A beautifully detailed example of a sustainable building that is treating its site carefully and lightly, providing an opportunity for future generations to learn through direct experience of nature. The milling of wood harvested from the site to create exterior siding offers children a visual and tactile message about sustainability.
Residential Large
253 KING WILLIAM STREET – Hamilton ON
This project addresses issues of social, economic and environmental sustainability. A high-performance building, it reduces construction time and cost through systematized modular construction. The simple form, modest scale, material choices and elegant details fit seamlessly into its urban context. Careful placement and sizing of windows give the interiors a feeling of spaciousness and connection to the outdoors.
Institutional (Large) Award
FANSHAWE COLLEGE INNOVATION VILLAGE – London ON
Creating a central focus for the campus with a project that combines retention and new building was a strategic decision to support both environmental and social sustainability. The daylight and energy challenges posed by intensification were elegantly met with a day-lit atrium, clerestory windows and an innovative BIPV cladding system using active and passive solar panels.
Existing Building Upgrade Award
HÔTEL DE VILLE DE MONTRÉAL – Montreal QC
Given the heritage status and historic character of this building, the performance metrics were highly commendable, proof that we don’t have to choose between preservation and sustainability. The process was comprehensively documented and the results are beautiful, simple, warm and modern.
Existing Building Upgrade Award
LAKERIDGE LOGISTICS CENTRE – Ajax ON
Although it is a significant percentage of our built infrastructure, the industrial sector is not often considered in discussions about sustainable design. Having achieved Net Zero Building certification and pursuing LEED Gold, this project provides a much needed, transferable example of what can be achieved.