OTTAWA, September 10, 2025 – The search begins today for Canada's most exceptional architectural achievements as the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and Canada Council for the Arts announce the call for submissions for the 2026 Governor General's Medals in Architecture.
The medals program provides a snapshot of outstanding design in a recently built project in Canada or anywhere in the world. The 2026 medals will reflect how architects are advancing the architectural discipline while inspiring Canadians to recognize architecture's profound cultural impact on our communities.
Story Angles for Media Coverage:
The 2026 competition welcomes submissions across a wide range of architectural typologies, including but not limited to:
The RAIC and Canada Council can provide access to:
The Governor General’s Medals in Architecture, created by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, contribute to the development of the discipline and practice of architecture and increase public awareness of architecture as a vital cultural force in Canadian society.
The objective is to recognize and celebrate outstanding design in recently completed built projects by Canadian architects.
The RAIC is proud to organize and administer the program and Canada Council for the Arts selects and administers the peer assessment committee.
About the RAIC
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is a not-for-profit, national organization dedicated to representing architects and architecture since 1907. The RAIC is the only national voice for excellence in the built environment in Canada focused on providing Canada’s architectural community with the tools, resources, and education to elevate their practice. The RAIC is committed to showcasing how design enhances quality of life, while advocating for important issues of society through responsible architecture. The RAIC’s purpose is to create a better world for all by empowering Canada’s architectural community. Through our work, the organization envisions a strong architectural community that is valued and empowered to create change. The RAIC’s national office is based in Ottawa with a growing federated chapter model. Current chapters and networks are based in British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia.
About the Canada Council for the Arts
The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s national public arts funder, with a mandate to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. Through its grants, services, prizes, initiatives, and payments, the Canada Council supports a dynamic and diverse arts and literary scene. These activities generate a meaningful economic, cultural and social impact for over 2,000 communities in all parts of the country and beyond. The investments and leadership of the Council help advance public engagement in the arts from coast to coast to coast while also contributing to the international recognition of artists and arts organizations from Canada.
For more information:
Royal Architectural Institute of Canada
communications@raic.org
Canada Council for the Arts
Communications and Engagement
media@canadacouncil.ca
613-566-4414
The medals program provides a snapshot of outstanding design in a recently built project in Canada or anywhere in the world. The 2026 medals will reflect how architects are advancing the architectural discipline while inspiring Canadians to recognize architecture's profound cultural impact on our communities.
Story Angles for Media Coverage:
- National Design Excellence Spotlight
Up to 12 medals will be awarded in 2026, showcasing the country's finest recently completed architectural projects. From coast to coast, Canadian architects are preparing to compete for the nation's highest architectural honor – an award that has identified design leaders for over 75 years.
- Sustainability Takes Center Stage
Since 2024, the program has mandated that submissions must include Energy Use Intensity (EUI) and Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI) metrics, signaling the program's evolution toward recognizing environmentally responsible design. This requirement reflects growing national priorities around climate action and sustainable building practices.
- Cultural Identity Through Built Environment
The medals serve as a unique lens for examining Canadian identity, capturing how regional influences, cultural diversity, and historical context shape the nation's architectural landscape. Past winners have included projects that define community gathering spaces, innovative housing solutions, and landmark public buildings.
- Regional Angles
Media outlets can explore local angles by:- Identifying potential submissions from their regions
- Interviewing past winners from their areas
- Examining how regional architecture reflects local culture and climate
- Covering the economic impact of award-winning projects on communities
- Submission deadline: December 11, 2025, 10:00 p.m. ET
- Recipients announcement: June 2026
- Medals Website and Submission information: https://raic.org/raic/governor-generals-medals-architecture-call-submissions
- Award frequency: Biennial (every two years)
- Historical significance: Program traces roots to Massey Medals established in 1950
- Project scale: All sizes and typologies eligible – from residential to major institutional projects
- Geographic reach: Projects from all provinces and territories as well as international projects are eligible
The 2026 competition welcomes submissions across a wide range of architectural typologies, including but not limited to:
- Cultural – Museums, libraries, concert halls, galleries, and other cultural institutions
- Institutional – Educational, governmental, civic, community, and sports facilities
- Healthcare – Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare-related facilities
- Infrastructure – Industrial, transportation, and utility-related projects
- Commercial – Offices, retail, hospitality, and mixed-use developments
- Multi-Unit Residential – Apartment buildings, condominiums, and collective housing
- Single-Family Residential– Unique homes and small-scale residential projects
- Other – Urban design, religious buildings, heritage conservation, adaptive reuse, and public realm interventions, innovative, community-driven, and remote or northern projects are especially encouraged.
The RAIC and Canada Council can provide access to:
- Previous medal recipients discussing their award-winning projects
- Peer assessment committee explaining evaluation criteria and selection process
- Representatives discussing the program's cultural and economic impact
The Governor General’s Medals in Architecture, created by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, contribute to the development of the discipline and practice of architecture and increase public awareness of architecture as a vital cultural force in Canadian society.
The objective is to recognize and celebrate outstanding design in recently completed built projects by Canadian architects.
The RAIC is proud to organize and administer the program and Canada Council for the Arts selects and administers the peer assessment committee.
About the RAIC
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is a not-for-profit, national organization dedicated to representing architects and architecture since 1907. The RAIC is the only national voice for excellence in the built environment in Canada focused on providing Canada’s architectural community with the tools, resources, and education to elevate their practice. The RAIC is committed to showcasing how design enhances quality of life, while advocating for important issues of society through responsible architecture. The RAIC’s purpose is to create a better world for all by empowering Canada’s architectural community. Through our work, the organization envisions a strong architectural community that is valued and empowered to create change. The RAIC’s national office is based in Ottawa with a growing federated chapter model. Current chapters and networks are based in British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia.
About the Canada Council for the Arts
The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s national public arts funder, with a mandate to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. Through its grants, services, prizes, initiatives, and payments, the Canada Council supports a dynamic and diverse arts and literary scene. These activities generate a meaningful economic, cultural and social impact for over 2,000 communities in all parts of the country and beyond. The investments and leadership of the Council help advance public engagement in the arts from coast to coast to coast while also contributing to the international recognition of artists and arts organizations from Canada.
For more information:
Royal Architectural Institute of Canada
communications@raic.org
Canada Council for the Arts
Communications and Engagement
media@canadacouncil.ca
613-566-4414