Innovation in Architecture | Page 6 | Royal Architectural Institute of Canada

 

Innovation in Architecture

This award recognizes exceptional architectural innovation. Potential areas for innovation include research and development, applied use of new technology and adaptation of existing technology. Innovation can also be demonstrated by new project delivery and construction methods, advanced design processes and fresh approaches to details and materials. 

Awards of Excellence — 2007 Recipient

Recipient: 
Alberta Children's Hospital Door, Hardware and Access Control Schedule Database (Business Category)

Primary Consultant: Guy Pocock, MRAIC

City: 
Calgary
Province / Territory: 
AB

The Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH) Door, Hardware, and Access Control Schedule Database was developed by Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd to streamline the typical, time consuming shop approval process common to large, complex building projects. Credited with contributing to the delivery of the ACH months ahead of schedule and millions under budget, the database conveniently congregates all door, hardware, and electrical information into a single location.

Awards of Excellence — 2009 Recipient

Recipient: 
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Diamond and Schmitt Architects Incorporated

City: 
Toronto
Province / Territory: 
ON

The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts is Canada’s first purpose-built opera house. Acclaimed by music critics, performers and patrons alike, it now ranks with the best opera houses in the world. Its architecture is welcoming and democratic, designed to embrace and engage the city around it, making accessible an art form that has long been considered elitist.

Awards of Excellence — 2009 Recipient

Recipient: 
Bluepoint Louver Facade System

Paul Raff Studio

City: 
Toronto
Province / Territory: 
ON

Paul Raff Studio has designed a unique residential complex in Thailand with remarkable green design strategies. Its most novel feature is its Louver Facade System which was born from a simple idea to maximize landscape views while maintaining privacy for residents. Its dynamic sweeping forms echo local vernacular influences while functioning as shading system which can be adapted to any new building. This system reduces solar heat gain which in tropical climates - home to 41% of the world’s population- massively reduces energy consumption.

Awards of Excellence — 2009 Recipient

Recipient: 
Richmond Olympic Oval (Science)

Cannon Design

City: 
Vancouver
Province / Territory: 
BC

The City of Richmond Speed Skating Oval is a vast 506,000 square feet structure designed as a dual-use building, housing not only the speed skating venue for the 2010 Olympic Games, but also, after the Games, a permanent legacy facility functioning as an International Centre of Excellence for Sports and Wellness. Several innovative design features are:

Awards of Excellence — 2009 Recipient

Recipient: 
Prince George Airport (Art)

McFarlane | Green | Biggar Architecture + Design Inc.

City: 
Vancouver
Province / Territory: 
BC

The Prince George Airport design involved the expansion of the existing terminal to include a new departure lounge, international arrivals area, security screening area, baggage make-up room, support offices and renovations to the existing check-in hall. The design modernizes the 1970’s terminal with a high performance building envelope and an innovative curtain wall and structure of exposed heavy timber. Durability, sustainability, elegant detailing and cost were all weighed in the decisions to develop a simple natural palette for the building.

Awards of Excellence — 2009 Recipient

Recipient: 
130 Bloor Street West (Practice of Architecture)

Quadrangle Architects Limited

City: 
Toronto
Province / Territory: 
ON

130 Bloor Street West is the most elite address in the heart of Toronto. It features extraordinary residential suites, including a heritage-listed, luxury two-storey penthouse considered one of the finest examples of 1960s modernist residential design in Canada, as well as office space andhigh-end retail at grade.

Renowned for excellence in adaptive reuse work, Quadrangle Architects Limited was selected to undertake the project, including the challenge of adding onto the top of a building while renovating the operational floors below.

Awards of Excellence — 2011 Recipient

Recipient: 
Manitoba Hydro Place (for Office Building Innovation)

Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects (Design Architects),
Smith Carter Architects and Engineers (Executive Architects),
Prairie Architects Inc. (Advocate Architects)

City: 
Toronto
Province / Territory: 
ON

Manitoba Hydro Place is the new headquarters tower for the major energy utility in the Province of Manitoba. It is the first of the next generation of bioclimatic buildings integrating time-tested environmental concepts in conjunction with advanced technologies and the art of architecture. A model for bioclimatic design in an extreme climate, the ‘Capital A’ form is sited to harness the maximum amount of passive solar and wind energies and provide 100% fresh air, 24/7.

Awards of Excellence — 2011 Recipient

Recipient: 
Canadian Museum for Human Rights (for BIM)

Smith Carter Architects and Engineers (Architect of Record),
Antoine Predock Architect (Design Architect) 

City: 
Winnipeg
Province / Territory: 
MB

BIM provides architects the opportunity to pioneer new delivery processes, opening possibilities for resolving long standing issues mired in the past. On the Museum, we radically altered our approach to maintaining the design intent through digital prototyping, enhanced contract documents to a hybrid of 2D and 3D for a superior level of trade scope isolation and quantity take-offs. Results include lower construction costs in addition to the integration of design and construction into one process complete with an integral feedback loop.

Awards of Excellence — 2011 Recipient

Recipient: 
North House: Responsive Envelope System (for Practice of Architecture)

RVTR Inc. / Team North

City: 
Toronto
Province / Territory: 
ON

North House is a prototype prefabricated solar powered home designed for northern climates (42°-55° latitude) that advances responsive envelope design through the pairing of hybrid integrated active and passive envelope systems with interactive controls. In combining these technologies, the prototype delivers a net energy-producing dwelling sponsoring new relationships between occupants, their surrounding environment and building systems.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Innovation in Architecture