Bing Thom Award - Call for Submissions | Royal Architectural Institute of Canada

 

Bing Thom Award - Call for Submissions

1. Background

This award was established in memory of Bing Thom, FRAIC, (1940-2016) a Vancouver-based architect of international renown.  His cultural, educational and commercial work has benefited communities in major cities across Canada, as well as the United States, China and Spain. Over his career, Bing Thom was honored with many awards and accolades, notably being made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1995 and as the recipient of the RAIC Gold Medal in 2011. These awards are drawn from an endowment fund donated by the Bing Thom Foundation. 
 
 As an architect, Bing Thom’s values and beliefs were inspired by Henry Elder who, as Head of the UBC School of Architecture from 1962 – 1974, moved its focus from ‘the production of architects’ to ‘the understanding of architecture’. He firmly believed that "students should not lose sight of their real purpose in changing civilization."
 
Crediting Elder’s influence, Bing Thom later stated: “I feel that architecture really has the potential to transform communities… makes people realize that they’re bigger than they are, that they’re able to do more than they do.”  

See more background details in the Bing Thom Call for Proposals.


2. Eligibility

These awards are open to students registered in a Canadian School of Architecture, in the RAIC Syllabus program or in architecture programs at the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.


3. Submission Requirements

The submission requirement for these awards is a personal essay of approximately 800 words in response to the following question: 
 
"Explain how a work of architecture can be transformative. Can you cite examples that demonstrate how the impact of a single building on a community can be transformative? Is every good building transformative on some level?"

and

  • Documentation confirming the applicant’s student status.
  • A completed image index, providing captions and full credit information for each image, if applicable. 

Applications are to be submitted through the RAIC online submission platform.

Entries can be submitted either in English or in French.

All entries will be retained by the RAIC and RAIC Foundation for publication, exhibition and archival purposes. 

Note: Once you have started the online submission process, you may 'save' and come back at a later date to complete your submission (prior to the submission deadline).

Submissions must be received before 10:00 p.m. ET, March 7, 2025. Entrants are solely responsible for timely submissions. This date and time are firm without exceptions.


4. Evaluation Criteria

The essays submitted will be evaluated based on:

• the clear relation of the ideas expressed to the submission criteria. 
• the originality and strength of the ideas expressed,
• the clarity and style of the written language.
 


Number of Awards

In 2025, an award of $3500 will be made to each of two winners.


For more information

E-mail: awards-prix@raic.org
Tel: (613) 241-3600 x 2015