FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA, April 18, 2024 – The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is proud to announce that Nga Aho, a national network of Maori design professionals based in Aotearoa (New Zealand), has been selected to receive the prestigious 2024 RAIC International Prize. This recognition is a testament to the exceptional talent and hard work that Nga Aho has brought to the International and Canadian architectural communities.
Established in 2013 as the RAIC Moriyama Prize, the RAIC International Prize was created based on the belief of Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama that remarkable architecture has the power to transform society by promoting humanistic values of social equality, respect, and inclusiveness. It aims to create environments that contribute to the well-being of all people.
This year, the Prize has been expanded to encompass the broader and ever-evolving mission, vision, and values of the RAIC and Canadian architects, from coast to coast to coast and focuses on the theme of "Indigenous Architecture" to acknowledge and celebrate Indigenous practitioners who incorporate Indigenous knowledge, ways of knowing and doing in the built and natural environment.
The 2024 theme aligns with the principles set out by Canada’s of Truth & Reconciliation Commission since 2008 about how we treat each other as fellow human beings and the kind of relationships and communities we want to build for the future highlighting the significance of recognizing and honoring Indigenous knowledge and contributions in the field of architecture.
In recognition of Nga Aho's profound impact on Indigenous architecture, the RAIC Indigenous Task Force expresses the following sentiments:
"Around the Pacific Rim, Nga Aho have remained as leaders in the built environment of Indigenous Peoples. When we embarked on our journey to bring our nations together, we looked to Nga Aho. Participating in each other’s design symposia for over fifteen years has strengthened our resolve to keep traditional knowledge central to our work within First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities in this country. As co-Chair of the Indigenous Task Force I am honoured that by consensus we nominate Nga Aho for this year’s International Prize." − Sim’oogit Saa-Bax Dr. Patrick Stewart, Architect AIBC, FRAIC, NCARB, LEED AP, Adjunct Professor, McEwen School of Architecture, Laurentian University
The award will be presented at the 2024 RAIC Conference on Architecture, scheduled from May 14 - 18, 2024, at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Center in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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.