Urban Design & Architecture Awards Winners

The City received 43 submissions (PDF, 2 MB) to be considered for the 2019 Urban Design and Architecture Awards. Each submission was evaluated by a volunteer jury consisting of 6 design professionals. 

The submissions were evaluated based on these criteria:

• Contribution to the public realm
• Success of massing, orientation, scale, materiality and contextual integration
• Quality of execution
• Innovation and uniqueness
• Energy efficiency, sustainability, adaptability and resiliency
• Comprehensiveness 
• Creative solutions
• Clarity and execution
• Community Involvement
• Innovation and uniqueness

The awards were presented at a gala reception held at Liuna Station on November 7, 2019. The Jury Report provides more information on the winning submissions. View the full jury report (PDF, 2 MB)

Award of Excellence for Private Buildings - Commercial/Industrial - King James

A project located in downtown Hamilton that ties two underutilized and decaying buildings together with a new lobby and core area located between them in a former alley. The alley once provided access for horse drawn carriages that serviced the stores fronting onto King Street and James Street North. Hamilton developer Core Urban saw an opportunity for revitalization. The architecture of both buildings has been restored, and 10-12 James has received an addition of two floors with a new steel structure threaded through to new helical piles in the basement. Restaurants will be located in the ground floor space and the upper five floors will be multi-tenant office space. King James is a comprehensive project involving reuse, new construction, and renovation.

Jury comments
The project is exemplary in the way it maintains and enhances built heritage - both the existing building and the adjacent alley, which has been incorporated into the interior to wonderful effect. A new addition has been carefully positioned on top and designed in an architectural language that is distinct but complementary. The attention to detail throughout is remarkable. The King James re-energizes this stretch of James street and activates the public realm. 

Location 10-14 James Street North & 11 King Street East, Hamilton
Project team

• Core Urban Inc.
• Lintack Architects Incorporated 
• AJ Clarke & Associates Ltd.
• Strik Baldinelli Moniz Ltd.
• Mantecon Partners
• Seguin Engineering

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Award of Excellence for Private Buildings - Renovations - Westdale Theatre Revitalization

Built in 1935, the Westdale Theatre has been revitalized into a beacon of entertainment which blends classic Art Deco styling with 21st century standards - including a viewing area for those with mobility issues, accessible AODA washrooms, energy efficient HVAC system and state- of-the-art theatre equipment. The Westdale Theatre has been restored into a cultural hub showcasing films, talks, music, performance and special events with its 345 seat capacity. The marquee was stripped down to its historic facade, revealing original stone carvings which animates the streetscape for theatre-goers. The Westdale Theatre demonstrates community value as it has been an anchor in the Westdale Village community for generations, is now fully restored and is ready to resume its place in the centre of Westdale life.

Jury comments
This redesign is a welcome return to the 1930s. After the removal of a marquee, the theatre’s original facade has been revealed, restoring a human scale to the street and architectural detail that enlivens the pedestrian experience. The careful restoration and renovation of the interior preserves valuable design elements - but more importantly it revives an important community space and maintains its original use.

Location 1014 King Street West, Hamilton
Project team

• Westdale Cinema Group

• Toms + McNally Design

• exp Services Inc.

• Gerald Stanley

• Ira McDonald Construction

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Award of Merit for Public Buildings - Renovations - Provincial Offences Administration Office Renovations

This $24.1M project was the renovation of the existing former Wentworth County Courthouse at 50 Main Street East to be the City’s new Provincial Offences Administration Offices. The program also included accommodation of a hearing room for the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, as well as a separate $2.6M interior renovation of the 3rd, 4th and 5th Floors for various other related municipal departments. Originally constructed in 1958 to the design of Hamilton architect, Alvin Prack; conservation of the heritage attributes of the existing building were to be balanced with the modernization goals. A universal design approach was used to ensure accessibility for everyone. Updated security provisions, enhanced audio-visual systems and upgraded energy conservation complied with today’s architectural design standards to ensure innovation, sustainability and quality of execution.

Jury comments
The jury applauded this project as a fine example of the conservation of a modernist building. Outside, a new ramp and forecourt provides true physical accessibility while remaining sensitive to the existing architecture. The facade of the 1958 building has been skillfully restored, maintaining its considerable cultural value. Within, major changes to the building have conserved the most significant aspects of the original architecture. The jury noted that, in a building project such as this, what you decide not to change is as important as what you do change -- and the architects have chosen well.

Location 50 Main Street East, Hamilton
Project team 

• Invizij Architects Inc
• City of Hamilton
• exp Services Inc.
• VG+ Architects
• Novita Techne
• Lobo Consulting

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Award of Excellence for Public Buildings - Gage Park Greenhouse

Project description
Gage Park Greenhouse replaces a non-descript building which held Hamilton’s collection of tropical plants, with a transformative design nestled within the southern corner of Gage Park’s historic landscape. The wood glulam, moment frame structure is the largest in Canada. A free, fully accessible destination, it allows visitors from all socio-economic backgrounds, access to a year-round tropical environment. The design prioritizes a visual connection to the escarpment and existing amphitheatre. A two step grassed landscape feature creates the opportunity for a host of new uses. On the west side, a two step landscaped theatre creates a new venue. Inside, towering palms will stretch to the rooftops of the structure, wide steps double as seating, and a circular path invites visitors to discover new species of plants, turtle, quail and coy habitats. It has spurred civic pride, hosting over 10,000 local and international guests since its opening in March.

Jury comments
The jury applauds the thoughtful organization of this important public building. The central walkway defines a direct and pleasant path through the building, while a curving walkway delivers a series of green oases mixed with calming vistas. The use of heavy timber provides an effective contrast to the glass and steel of the greenhouses. This sort of facilities is especially valuable in winter cities such as Hamilton, and the jury applauds this project for delivering a rich and complex space to frame the experience of plant life.  

Location 1000 Main Street East, Hamilton
Project team 

• mcCallumSather
• City of Hamilton
• MTE Consultants Inc.
• ARC Engineering
• Seguin Engineering
• Larssen Greenhouse Consulting ltd.

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Award of Excellence for Public Buildings: Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre

The Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre (BMRC) is developed as part of a larger urban precinct to create an important new community hub for the east Hamilton. The precinct design incorporates three buildings and a new urban park: the new BMRC, expansion to the existing Jimmy Thompson Memorial Pool, and the new North Secondary School. Master planned together to create a holistic urban environment with the Tim Horton’s Field, they form an outdoor courtyard creating a new prominent civic destination for Hamiltonians. The BMRC houses a leisure pool, gymnasium, walking track, a series of activity rooms, youth, seniors, and rentable program spaces, and a commercial kitchen/café with a lounge with views and connections to exterior program elements. The park space connecting all three buildings includes a summer splash pad element that operates as a winter skating loop and a 2” deep reflecting pond in the spring and fall.

Jury comments
A building that is wonderfully public in its character, centered on a lobby and lounge that are generous and comfortable. The architecture provides lots of natural light, and it makes careful use of some high-quality materials to create a strong sense of place. The gym, with its wood ceiling, is a very inviting and handsome place. The jury also admired the way the old pool, with all its history, was integrated with the new facility. 

Location 876 Cannon Street East, Hamilton
Project team 

• MJMA
• City of Hamilton
• Blackwell Structural Engineers
• Smith and Andersen Consulting Engineering
• S. Llewellyn & Associates Ltd.

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Award of Merit for Open Spaces, Public Spaces and Green Infrastructure: Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre

The Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre (BMRC) is developed as part of a larger urban precinct to create an important new community hub for the east Hamilton. The precinct design incorporates three buildings and a new urban park: the new BMRC, expansion to the existing Jimmy Thompson Memorial Pool, and the new North Secondary School. Master planned together to create a holistic urban environment with the Tim Horton’s Field, they form an outdoor courtyard creating a new prominent civic destination for Hamiltonians. The BMRC houses a leisure pool, gymnasium, walking track, a series of activity rooms, youth, seniors, and rentable program spaces, and a commercial kitchen / café with a lounge with views and connections to exterior program elements. The park space connecting all three buildings includes a summer splash pad element that operates as a winter skating loop and a 2” deep reflecting pond in the spring and fall.

Jury comments
This landscape serves the public in both winter and summer; it also creates a framework for community life across several civic sites. There is a strong relationship between the outdoor spaces and the recreation centre; the site also provides public connections across Cannon to the stadium, to the adjacent high school and to transit. This is a very strong project. The landscaped areas provide ancillary space to the surrounding buildings. The jury noted that the parking lot was under-designed and could have benefited from a bioswale and more tree planting. 

 

Location 876 Cannon Street East, Hamilton
Project team 

• MJMA
• City of Hamilton
• Blackwell Structural Engineers
• Smith and Andersen Consulting Engineering
• S. Llewellyn & Associates Ltd.

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Award of Merit for Open Spaces, Public Spaces and Green Infrastructure: Dundas Library Renovation

The Dundas Library’s space was reorganized to better serve the public. The side entrance is enhanced with a new sculptural canopy and landscaped side yard that doubles as an outdoor reading room. The renovation provided an accessible route to the side entrance and a vestibule to improve the comfort and energy efficiency of the interior space. Bright blue accents on the fence, signage and columns provide wayfinding to the renewed entrance and the colour continues in the interior with finishes in the new quiet study rooms and the laptop bar in the main library space. The new elements were designed to complement the existing mid-century building. A new faceted ceiling in the main space integrates lighting and provides acoustic dampening and visual interest. To bring light deep into the basement space, the multi-purpose room and media lab are wrapped in glass to achieve bright, light-filled spaces in the lower level.

Jury comments
A strong landscape, with a simple but effective plant palette and nice detail in the steel signage. It has activated a small area - which might have been overlooked - and enhanced it as a community space. The trees will create a lovely and robust canopy over time. 

Location 18 Ogilvie Street , Dundas
Project team

• Workshop Architecture
• City of Hamilton
• Forest and Field Landscape Architecture Inc.
• exp Services Inc.
• MTE

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Award of Excellence for Urban Elements: Raise

This mural adorns two opposing walls of a heritage building in downtown Hamilton, ON. The imagery pays homage to the generations of labourers from the community who were once employed at this site. The dynamic composition of the figures on opposite side working in unison to raise the giant hammer (Hamilton’s nickname) integrates both walls. This task is reminiscent of the community event of totem pole raising by Canada's Indigenous Peoples.

Jury comments
A fantastic example of placemaking through art. The scale and colour are very successful; although it is flat, the image really animates its surroundings through its playful composition.

Location 1 West Avenue, Hamilton
Project team 

• Lester Coloma

• Norman Coloma

• Forge and Foster

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Award of Excellence for Visions and Plans: PlanLocal - Beautiful Streets and Spaces

How do you engage residents and business owners to prioritize spending on public realm improvements in one of the most complex wards in the city of Hamilton? This was the challenge presented to Civicplan by the Ward 2 community and Councillor. PlanLocal: Beautiful Streets and Spaces was the answer. PlanLocal is an example of Participatory Planning, which involves communities in the strategy and management of urban planning processes. The project required innovative community engagement as the target area, Ward 2, contains six neighbourhoods, multiple BIAs, the downtown core, historic districts, community housing and various educational institutions. Civicplan designed a process that combined in-person events coordinated by community champions with an interactive online platform seeking ideas from residents. The process resulted in concrete public realm improvements, strengthened local networks and increased community knowledge of critical municipal planning processes.

Jury comments
The community gathering data to improve their own neighbourhood and make it safer is commendable. The jury suggests that small actions in particular places can help build energy toward a systematic transformation; data is valuable in making change.

Location Ward 2
Recipient Civicplan

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Award of Excellence for Civic Achievements: North End Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan and Public Art Project

The purpose of the North End Neighbourhood Transportation Management Plan (NETMP) was to identify and resolve neighbourhood traffic and transportation problems through the application of traffic safety measures. The plan included speed reductions, traffic management and calming through application of a blanket speed limit of 30 Km/h and numerous supportive physical measures. The NETMP contributed to the public realm and road user safety. The Implementation was executed in two phases: temporary tactical urbanism (Pilot) followed by permanent implementation of traffic calming measures. Additionally, the NETMP integrated the Public Art process to select a design for neighbourhood signs at six entry points into the North End.

Jury comments
A cost-effective piece of stormwater infrastructure that also provides a variety of other services to the community, including environmental benefits and a contribution to placemaking. The jury notes that this type of project can be overlooked - it’s not flashy and requires ongoing maintenance - but should not. In fact, it should be replicated many times over. 

Location North End Neighbourhood
Project team

• City of Hamilton
• IBI Group
• Cima+
• Rankin Construction Inc.
• Aquafor Beech Limited

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Award of Merit for Civic Achievements: Durand Neighbourhood Character Project

How can conversations concerning neighbourhood character lead to more productive dialogue about how new development and intensification can be compatible with existing urban fabric? This was the goal of the Durand Neighbourhood Character Project. Durand is a historic downtown neighbourhood that has faced significant loss of urban fabric through previous periods of under-regulated development. Currently, Hamilton is experiencing a renewed period of growth, which challenges the neighbourhood to balance new development and intensification within the established community. The Durand Neighbourhood Association (DNA) partnered with Civicplan to design and facilitate a participatory planning process that built on the residents’ desire for proactive, hands-on planning. The Project explored innovative, community driven approaches to help constructively shape new development in the neighbourhood. The result was a greater understanding of neighbourhood characteristics and attitudes toward character, as well as concrete information to use in a tool to assess future development in the neighbourhood.

Jury comments
Community-based planning with a different lens on how to impact change. This document provides an accurate overview of the area; it does not ignore the less romantic buildings but accepts the diversity of the neighbourhood’s built form as a whole in order to guide new forms of development through thoughtful guidelines.

Location Durand Neighbourhood
Project team

• Durand Neighbourhood Association
• Civicplan

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Award of Excellence for Student Projects: King George School Community Hub

This project provides the preliminary framework of a participatory-design process for the revitalization of a vacant school into a community hub. As both a process and an example of possible outcome, this project envisions a reiterative design approach based in the collaborative redevelopment of the former King George School site as a reflection of the needs of existing and potential new users of neighbourhood public services. By developing the site in this manner, the aim is to identify and deliver services that can best serve neighbourhood interests and complement other community uses offered on site (through shared facilities or user bases).  Precedent research from adaptive re-use community hub projects across North America provide a toolkit for community members to explore the compatibility of potential community service functions that could be implemented on the site through an interactive public consultation exercise.

Jury comments
An ambitious project that addresses an important issue: how old school buildings can and should continue to serve the public. The project recognizes an existing underused structure and marries it with the results of a strong analysis to suggest how it could benefit the local community. The project points the way toward a subtle and thoughtful form of intensification, rebuilding a neighbourhood using physical components that are already there. 

Location 77 Gage Avenue North, Hamilton
Project team

• Alexander Furneaux – Ryerson University
• Leah Dow – Ryerson University
• Michelle Diplock – Ryerson University
• Darcy Watt – Ryerson University
• Valeriya Sokolenko – Ryerson University
• Andrew Ramsaroop – Ryerson University
• Sean Hertel Consulting

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Chief Planner Award - City Hall Forecourt: The Hamilton Sign

Project description
This sign was fully funded by generous sponsors and fabricated by local Dundas business Hamilton Scenic Specialty Inc. The sign is 60 feet long by 6 feet deep with letters at 7.5 feet tall and 2 feet deep and weighs approximately 9700 pounds. The average electrical consumption is 600 watts which is approximately the wattage of a small coffee maker. In addition to bringing some life and colour to the forecourt, the sign has become a popular attraction for residents and tourists alike. Since its debut, social media has been flooded with selfies and pictures using the hashtag #HamOntSign.

Jury comments
Often described as bland, institutional, and intimidating, a City Hall precinct should instead represent and exude civic pride, and be an inviting, accessible, and inclusive community space. The Hamilton Signature Sign and Floral Topiary contributed to Hamilton’s City Hall forecourt and public realm in becoming an animated, engaging, and fun civic space that Hamiltonians can call their own and be proud of.

Location 71 Main Street West, Hamilton
Project team

• City of Hamilton
• Hamilton Scenic Specialities Incorporated

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Chief Planner Award - City Hall Forecourt: Floral Topiary (Ralph the Shaggy Dog)

A giant shaggy dog spent the summer of 2018 playing with a ball and chasing a butterfly outside Hamilton's city hall. His name was Ralph and his long fur was a type of shaggy grass called Carex bronco. The pup was built out of three separate wire frames completed with irrigation hoses and bags packed with soil to support the grass. The horticultural practice used to create Ralph is known as Topiary. It is the practice of training perennial plants by clipping foliage and twigs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes.

Jury comments
Often described as bland, institutional, and intimidating, a City Hall precinct should instead represent and exude civic pride, and be an inviting, accessible, and inclusive community space. The Hamilton Signature Sign and Floral Topiary contributed to Hamilton’s City Hall forecourt and public realm in becoming an animated, engaging, and fun civic space that Hamiltonians can call their own and be proud of.

Location 71 Main Street West, Hamilton
Project team

• City of Hamilton - Horticulture
• City of Hamilton - Landscape Architectural Services

The City received 48 submissions (PDF, 4 MB) from architects, urban designers, planners, landscape architects, owners and University students.

Each submission was evaluated by a volunteer jury consisting of design professionals and local stakeholders. 

The number of awards was determined by the jury, and evaluated based on these criteria:

• Excellence in overall site design and contribution to the public realm
• Appropriateness of built form orientation, scale, design, materiality and contextual integration
• Excellence in architectural design in terms of scale, massing, material and functionality
• Excellence in landscape architecture
• Energy efficiency, sustainability, adaptability or resiliency
• Quality of execution
• Innovation

The awards were presented at a gala reception held at the David Braley Health Sciences Centre on November 9, 2017 in celebration of World Town Planning Day.

Award of Merit for Student Projects: Bioswales for Ottawa Street North

With over 600 kilometres of combined storm and sanitary sewers in the lower city, stormwater runoff is a significant issue for Hamilton. While the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan has recommended the implementation of green infrastructure, to date there has been little movement to use bioswales or bioretention planters in Hamilton’s rightsof- way. Ottawa Street North was chosen as a demonstration site for stormwater management based on the high percentage of impermeable surfaces and associated runoff levels, metal contaminant levels found in road residue, and local air pollution levels. Parametric modelling was used to develop design scenarios for the streetscape. Runoff quantities were estimated, and the resulting data was compared with similar installations across North America. The design provides a streetscape intervention for Ottawa Street North that is aesthetically pleasing while creating a healthy environment for the street and surrounding neighbourhood.

Location Ottawa Street North, from Argyle Avenue to Edinburgh Avenue
Recipient Adele Pierre

Jury comments
While Low Impact Development (LID) techniques are widely recognized and employed in best-practice urban design initiatives, this project illustrates the application of the bioswale concept within the right of way of a prominent street in Hamilton. The project invites the municipality to consider alternative ways to deal with stormwater and invest in LID techniques as part of a broader climate change strategy.

Award of Excellence for Urban Elements: Confederation Beach Park Branding & Wayfinding (Phase 1)

Through the Confederation Beach Park Master Plan efforts, it was identified that one of the first steps towards the revitalization of Confederation Park was to refresh the branding and wayfinding strategy. An early audit of the site identified that there was a lack of continuity and brand consistency throughout the many different signage fixtures and messaging within the park.

The re-branding exercise would improve the overall visitor experience and provide additional methods of communication. As a result of the exercise, a family of signage fixtures was developed to create an overall “sense of place” and improve the quality of the public realm.

Location 680 Van Wagners Beach Road, Stoney Creek
Recipients City of Hamilton, Kramer Design Associates Ltd., Bestco Construction Ltd., Regional Signs Inc.

Jury comments
The 93-hectare park, owned and operated by the Hamilton Conservation Authority is a significant community recreational asset, with numerous passive and active amenities. The jury awarded the Award of Excellence to the firstphase of the branding and wayfinding
strategy developed for this public space. The signage features attractive, fresh and highly legible graphics while using resilient materials. Its simplistic and elegant design serves as an encouraging recedent for future phases of the implementation.

Award of Excellence for Private Building - Residential: Single Family: K-House

Physicians interested in healthy living and sustainability commissioned this new net-zero electricity house which combines natural materials, traditional construction methods, and barrier-free design while facilitating aging in place. The landscape strategy includes the integration of resilient native species, porous surfaces and a pollinator rooftop garden seeking to support local wildlife.

Natural, renewable and locally-sourced materials were used in the construction, including straw-bale walls. Little to no mechanical heating or cooling was required due to proper cross-ventilation and highefficiency fireplaces. The house is net-zero thanks to photovoltaic panels on the roof.

Recipients Office Ou, Evolve Builders Group, Blackwell Structural Engineers

Jury comments
The jury chose K-House for the Award of Excellence in this category in recognition of its innovative approach to sustainability at a residential scale. The design of the site represents a sound ecological approach, drawing from the nearby conservation area to create an alternate landscape to the pervasive suburban lawn. The sensitive integration of creative stormwater management approaches (including channels, dams and porous surfaces) with native plantings achieves a complementary beauty with the modernistic aesthetic. The home’s locally unique energy and insulation systems (straw walls, solar panels) achieve a net-zero energy footprint, and that orientation is further reinforced in the home’s urban design, with landscaping that features native species, natural materials and porous surfaces.

Award of Excellence for Private Building - Residential: Multi-Unit: Strathearne Suites

This project involved converting a run-down rooming house into high quality, affordable and supportive housing suites. The first phase included the renovation of the existing rooming house to meet current building and fire codes, and improve its integration with the surrounding community. Retrofits included new roofing, windows, insulation, cladding and new electrical and mechanical systems.

The second phase included a new addition, consisting of an accessible entrance, elevator, lounge, kitchen, laundry facilities, accessibility modifications to four units, staff offices and landscaping. The constrained site required creative design and progressive planning permissions. While the original building awkwardly interacted with its surroundings, this project creatively reuses an existing and tired rooming house to provide dignified homes for those struggling to maintain stable housing. At the same time, it has revitalized a corner of the Homeside neighbourhood and provides a welcoming gateway to the Pipeline Trail.

Location 311 Strathearne Avenue, Hamilton
Recipients Indwell Community Homes, Invizij Architects, Schilthuis Construction, Ira McDonald Construction

Jury comments
The jury felt that the adaptive re-use of the Strathearne Suites represents a strong example of how architecture and attention to exterior spaces can transform a building’s role within its urban context, even as that structure retains a socially constructive use. The project did not alter the building’s dimensions or volume, and illustrates how to achieve these improvements without starting from scratch. While the jury does note that the use of contextually distinctive architecture for social housing can inadvertently serve to stigmatize the residents, the Strathearne Suites succeeded in overcoming this concern by substantially improving the building’s conspicuously neglected envelope and exterior spaces. In so doing, it has also made the public space around the building, including the sidewalk and the small parking lot, friendly. The effort at transformation is commendable.

Award of Merit for Private Building - Residential: Multi-Unit: The Residences of Royal Connaught (Phase 1)

Having celebrated its Centennial last year, this first phase of redevelopment has given new life to one of Hamilton’s prestigious
downtown icons. In its life, the building has seen several changes in ownership and use; however, the present development team has
embraced its history and revitalized this iconic building into elegant condominium residences.

The building’s original façades have been restored, including the reinstatement of missing or damaged architectural features. The once forgotten lobby is now a beacon outlined by its original canopy and two storey Roman arched windows that frame the restored Corinthian columns, which allow pedestrians a glimpse into the past as they walk by. The animated streetscape will be further complemented by storefront windows, restaurants and cafés that overlook the treasured Gore Park.

Location: 112 King Street East, Hamilton
Recipients: Royal Connaught Inc., KNYMH Inc., Hallex Engineering Ltd., Adesso Design Inc.

Jury comments
The jury recognizes the project’s restoration of the heritage elements of the façade and foyer, while acknowledging that the urban design success of the entire development will depend on how future planned expansions are integrated into this first phase. This successful first phase sets a strong precedent for subsequent phases and offers a benchmark for other adaptive reuse projects Downtown. The jury appreciates the care taken to activate the historic frontage and re-invigorate the link between Gore Park and the International Village.

Award of Merit for Private Building - Commercial: Coop Restaurant

This project involved the renovation of a historic commercial building into a new restaurant. The majority of the historical façade was preserved with the exterior renovations including the replacement of the ground floor storefront, windows and signage. For contextual compatibility, a cohesive colour palette that included corten steel was used to incorporate the oranges and reds of the original brick. The graffiti-style signage and mural amplify the raw urban aesthetic of the project and build on the restaurant brand’s tongue-in-cheek sense of humour.

The bright red entry doors provide a welcoming pop of colour and playfulness to the streetscape. The large windows of the storefront
help form a connection between the interior and exterior and give guests an opportunity to stop, refuel and appreciate the local area from a comfortable vantage point. The recent addition of an outdoor patio located along Hess provides a new urban amenity for the area and allows guests to enjoy the neighbourhood in an open air setting, enlivening and activating the street.

Location: 272 King Street West, Hamilton
Recipients: Tortoise Group, TCA | Thier + Curran Architects Inc., Maitland Spencer, CoPa Engineering Ltd., Mighton Engineering, Vincent Formosi

Jury comments
The restaurant’s design succeeded in enlivening a corner with heavy vehicular traffic using extensive glazing as well as novel materials and a lively colour palette. It provides an encouraging example of reinvestment in a manner that seeks to frame the public realm with active frontage.

Award of Merit for Private Building - Commercial: 11 King Street

Formerly the Mills China Shop, the heritage building at 11 King East facing Gore Park underwent a façade rehabilitation project, and now
houses a new commercial venture.

Restoration work included the creation of new wood cornices, restored mill work surrounding windows, masonry was cleaned and repointed, and all missing elements were replicated and replaced for architectural uniformity.

As one of the original buildings fronting onto Gore Park, it was important that this effort complemented the adjacent Gore Park restoration efforts, reviving it as a pedestrian friendly and highlighted gem in the downtown core.

Location: 11 King Street East, Hamilton
Recipients: Historia Building Restoration Inc.

Jury comments
Completed with support from the City of Hamilton’s facade improvement program, this restoration project succeeds in improving the public realm and the pedestrian experience on a downtown commercial street undergoing significant transformation. It offers a vision
of how to bring back the historic facades on King (and elsewhere in the downtown) as a means of attracting new tenants. Additional photos and background information would have provided useful context to support the submission.

Award of Excellence for Private Building - Mixed Use: Templar Flats

Symptomatic of Hamilton at the time, King William Street consisted of a mix of vacant lots, buildings slated for demolition and struggling
businesses. An empty building, vacant lot and the would-be methadone clinic became what is now the catalytic development known as the Templar Flats. The completed project includes 25 residential units and three exciting independent restaurants along the King William streetscape. The two existing buildings retain their own character above street level, and at patio level are differentiated in detail. The new building has a “modest monumental” presence, clad in limestone and punctuated with large windows of simple proportions. This part of the building raises questions about its vintage, but the dates 1867 and 2016 inscribed on the cornice give it away, so does the modern glass structure that is recessed behind, providing entry to the residential lobby and extending up to the glass rooftop apartments above. The penthouse unit celebrates the rebirth of the street with a full length balcony and projected roof above.

Location: 31-39 King William Street, Hamilton
Recipients: Core Urban Inc., Lintack Architects Inc., Strik Baldinelli Moniz Ltd., MSE, Seguin Engineering Inc., Fortino Bros.

Jury comments
This project, which involved filling in a vacant lot as a means of knitting together three street-wall buildings, represents an outstanding example of urban design, and succeeds in improving the public realm on a downtown street experiencing revitalization. The Flats are properly scaled, well executed and aim to preserve the street’s character and scale. Taken as a whole, the project has significantly reinvigorated not just the two existing buildings and a vacant lot, but an entire block within an active pedestrian district.

Award of Merit for Private Building - Mixed Use: Rudy Hulst Commons

Rudy Hulst Commons is a mixed-use housing development in East Hamilton, which creates elegant affordable housing through safe and dignified living spaces. This energy efficient building is clad in a pattern of charcoal and white aluminum panels, the windows are offset between floors, creating a dynamic façade. Mustard yellow spandrel panels at the windows accentuate this pattern and the wood-grain Trespa panels at the notch, rooftop patio & soffits soften and add to the façade’s contemporary elegance. A graphite masonry & glass base makes the upper levels appear to hover over the entry level.

This project helped bring new life in an area that had long seen disinvestment. It is an example of appropriate density and progressive transit-ready development along Main Street East. As an anchor on a street corner it has become a local landmark and is appropriately scaled with the surrounding buildings and neighbourhood context. This project is an inspirational example of quality development in Hamilton.

Location: 1430 Main Street East, Hamilton
Recipients: Indwell Community Homes, Invizij Architects, Demik Construction, IBI Group

Jury comments
The jury recognizes the merits of this mixed use project for the transparent ground floor treatment and the well proportioned, exuberant cladding, which represents its most noteworthy urban design contribution in a neighbourhood with limited development activity. The building’s mid-rise scale is appropriate to the surrounding area and its location on a transit route.

Award of Merit for Private Building - Mixed Use: 234 King Street East

This retail commercial project with a residential unit above was a renovation effort by master carpenter Mike Haines. The project was highlighted by the new heritage inspired façade for the commercial space fronting King Street East. The new facade was aimed at elevating the street’s appearance, draw high-end tenants and encourage property owners in the area to do the same. When designing the exterior, it was important that the renovations paid respect to the historic design of the building, and its place in the commercial row it comprises in the International Village. The entire building (commercial and residential) uses high-efficiency LED lighting, high-efficiency furnaces and airconditioners, and insulation beyond building code. The original details of the building were preserved, such as exposed brick walls. Exterior brass lights and pilasters add character to the façade.

Location: 234 King Street East, Hamilton
Recipients: Mike Haines + Matthew Kelland, J.H. Cohoon Engineering

Jury comments
This lovely and well-executed small project demonstrates a high level of care and investment, and makes a solid contribution to the public realm, setting a precedent for other small scale commercial re-investment. The care and attention to the incorporation of historically sensitive lighting, signage and architectural detailing is commendable, and a precedent setting renovation project on this vibrant section of King Street.

Award of Excellence for Public Building: David Braley & Nancy Gordon Rock Garden - Visitor Centre at the Royal Botanical Garden

The David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock Garden underwent a three-year transformation project. The new garden respects the heritage, look and feel of this iconic space while celebrating the beginning of a new era. Features include a new Visitor Centre, restoration of the heritage Garden House, the Daglish Family Foundation Courtyard with elegant stone walls, rebuilt water features that meander throughout the garden landscape, and a rejuvenated planting plan. The project required an integrated approach to architecture and landscape architecture, including form, materiality and detailing of all building and site work elements. As a key element of the transformation, the new Visitor Centre re-establishes the Rock Garden as the gateway to the cities of Hamilton and Burlington, giving it a new entrance and much stronger presence on York Boulevard. The Visitor Centre’s entry façade is a long, curved stone wall, and visitors enter over a water feature and under the overhang of the leaf-shaped roof into the Centre.

Location: 1185 York Boulevard, Hamilton
Recipients: Royal Botanical Gardens, CS&P Architects Inc., Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc.,Colliers Project Leaders, Ira McDonald Construction Ltd.

Jury comments
The project is pleasant and unique, incorporating a balanced approach to the street while ensuring that views into the Gardens are obscured until the user is within the visitor’s centre itself. The structure aspires to integrate itself with the garden, through extensive use of glass and wood. The overall design serves to establish a strong connection to the grounds without overshadowing the site’s main attraction: The Rock Garden itself. While the Garden’s street facade is somewhat harsh due to a lengthy stone wall, the structure is intended to screen the vistas of the Gardens. The design effectively balances these two guiding principles.

Award of Excellence for Public Building: Waterdown Library & Civic Centre

The Waterdown Library and Civic Complex design process began with an acknowledgement of a dramatic site upon the Niagara escarpment. The design takes advantage of the topography, using elevation changes to provide expression and access to the different programmatic elements within the building. The design provides for a single story, split level building with the library as principle tenant. The library component hovers one story above municipal program components, connected via a series of gently sloping internal walkways. The topography is extended into the library, organized as a series of four terraces. A large library reading atrium is situated at the high elevation providing striking views of the escarpment, and projecting the life and vitality of this exciting public program to the street, the city and the lake beyond.

Location: 163 Dundas Street East, Waterdown
Recipients: RDH Architects, NAK Design Strategies, City of Hamilton, The Hamilton Public Library

Jury comments
An elegant civic amenity that makes an important contribution to the public realm in Waterdown. The architecture is well-scaled, beautifully detailed impressively practical and well executed. The landscaping, in turn, is elegant and well-integrated with the architecture. Finally, the library successfully addresses the busy arterial on which it is located, thereby drawing attention to an important community asset. The jury notes the opportunity for the landscaping in front and the parking lot behind to allow for more community and spill-out functions.

Award of Merit for Public Building: Waterdown Rotary Memorial Park Skate Loop

Previously dominated by soccer fields and baseball diamonds, The Waterdown Rotary Memorial Park Skate Loop project has refocused the park on a casual, informal use that affords families the opportunity to spend time outdoors year round.

In order to maximize the size and quality of the skating surface, budgetary constraints led to a cost effective solution to the design of the amenity building, which included the reuse of an existing washroom building. The new building asymmetrically wraps the existing washrooms, efficiently creating interior space and sustainably adapting the existing building’s program. The result is a contemporary building that forms part of the new park identity. The large canopy is located to reduce the amount of sun that enters the building in the summer while allowing the sun to help warm the interior during the winter months. Finally, the skate path was situated to avoid requiring any mature trees to be removed for the project.

Location: 200 Hamilton Street North, Waterdown
Recipients: Invizij Architects Inc., Toms + McNally Design Inc., Exp Services, S. Llewellyn and Associates, Seferian Design Group, City of Hamilton

Jury comments
The jury decided to confer an Award of Merit on this modest project as an example of how a creative and sustainable re-use of a utilitarian parks building can contribute greatly to an under-utilized open space. It provides a case study in how municipalities can reinvest in public spaces without incurring huge capital expense. The accompanying rinkpath will become a winter destination, and the paired projects will deliver significant civic impact.

Award of Excellence for Visions & Master Plans: Pier 7 & 8

Pier 7 + 8 are former industrial lands that represent Hamilton’s most significant opportunity to transform their waterfront into a vibrant new community. The recommended development master plan evolved through a collaborative 16 month community consultation process of workshops and open houses. Through that process, it was determined that future development will include a mix of residential, commercial, community spaces and a well-connected public realm of parks, open spaces and streetscapes incorporating state-of-the-art innovation and sustainability standards in architecture and engineering design.

Recipients: Brook McIlroy, City of Hamilton

The redevelopment will improve connectivity between the North End neighbourhood and the waterfront, as well as provide an opportunity for the City of Hamilton to secure new public spaces along the West Harbour and to expand the existing Pier 8 events and activities. This Plan represents the aspirations of the public and the City to make a world class waterfront community on the Hamilton Harbour. Recognition of this commitment will showcase their efforts to-date and will reinforce the vision for Pier 7 + 8 as the project moves into implementation.

Jury comments
The Pier 7 and 8 plan has great potential to reinvigorate Hamilton’s waterfront. The master plan reflects an ambitious long-term vision and provides a robust structure for the ensuing build-out of a new community where attention to public realm will be as important as attention to the area’s built form. The plan aligns with other successful waterfront revitalization efforts, yet asserts an approach to waterfront revitalization that is unique to Hamilton. The jury was impressed by the clarity of the public realm framework, with a priority on connectivity between the city and the water, as well as the thoughtful programming of diverse open spaces to vitalize public life in this emerging district.

Award of Merit for Visions & Master Plans: Pipeline Trail Master Plan

The Pipeline Trail Master Plan adaptively reuses municipal infrastructure into an urban trail network linking parks, schools, residences, transit, businesses and neighbourhoods. It is a community-focused project that provides the framework for re-development and expansion of the trail system while maintaining its function as a pipeline corridor. The pipeline corridor dates back to the 1850’s, and connects the City’s oldest water pumping station located on Woodward Avenue (now the Museum of Steam and Technology) to the former Barton Reservoir situated on the Escarpment at Ottawa Street.

The Master Plan envisions an increase in active transportation across the lower City via this multi-use trail. The trail is intended to be adaptable, flexible and sustainable. First and foremost, the underground pipelines must be protected and remain accessible for ongoing maintenance. Design considerations include: barrier-free accessibility, low-maintenance materials, variety of plantings and programmable spaces for community use.

Recipients: City of Hamilton. OMC Landscape Architecture, CIMA, exp Services, Pipeline Trail Community Group, Homeside and Crown Point Community Planning Teams

Jury comments
The project demonstrates impressive community engagement at a grassroots level that improves the public realm. While the urban design is humble, the initiative speaks to the community’s determination to mobilize, engage and transform an under-used open space into a shared asset that connects neighbourhoods.

Award of Excellence for Landscapes, Public Spaces & Green Infrastructure: Mohawk College Hoop Dance

Mohawk College began this project with the vision of creating a place that celebrates First Nations, Metis and Inuit culture within the everyday experience of the Mohawk College campus and that honours 15,000 years of Indigenous history on this territory. Developed through an inclusive and iterative community consultation process between Brook McIlroy; Mohawk College; Aboriginal students of the College; and Elders and members of the Six Nations First Nation and Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation Communities, the design response creates a first-of-its-kind outdoor space with deep layers of meaning woven into the fabric of each of its unique elements. Set in the College’s main courtyard, the HOOP Dance Aboriginal Gathering Place is comprised of five elements: the HOOP Dance Gathering Place - an open-air pavilion, a fire circle, a water garden, a traditional garden and a ‘seven sisters’ garden. The pavilion is inspired by Aboriginal concepts of inclusiveness, time as measured by the sun and moon, the Medicine Wheel and the creation story. The gardens and pavilion welcome people of all backgrounds, beliefs and ages into an inclusive circle – a place for teaching, music, story-telling, ceremony, relaxation and contemplation.

Location: 135 Fennell Avenue West, Hamilton
Recipients: Mohawk College, Brook McIlroy, Oakridge Landscape Contractors, Nicola Logworks, Blackwell Engineering

Jury comments
This project clearly stood out among the submissions -- a successful and beautifully executed effort in creating an inviting and meaningful space for the college and surrounding community. From an urban design perspective, the structure is inclusive, welcoming visitors to reflect on the space and Indigenous history. There is strong integration between the physical structure and the surrounding landscaping, and its position, in the very heart of the campus, symbolizes the potential for reconciliation, Indigenous history education and dialogue.

Award of Merit for Landscapes, Public Spaces & Green Infrastructure: L.R. Wilson Hall for Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences

L.R. Wilson Hall acts as a landmark building for the eastern gateway to McMaster University. The design goal was to ensure that the landscapes serve the faculty’s functions, as well as fit within the broader campus circulation patterns. The site is framed to the east by a remnant woodlot that was mandated to remain. The perimeter streetscape design applies the City of Hamilton’s urban braille standards. The landscape programme consists of a plaza and spill-out area for the auditorium, an aboriginal studies terrace including a medicinal wheel garden, a courtyard bringing nature and sunlight to the interior of the building, and extensive green roof designed with graphic expression. Coordinated efforts with the project arborist ensured the maintenance of as many existing trees within the woodlot as possible: a woodlot that would serve as borrowed scenery and backdrop to the aboriginal studies terrace. All of the planting on the ground plane is irrigated via greywater from a cistern that collects roofwater.

Location: 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton
Recipients: McMaster University, PMA Landscape Architects Ltd., CS&P Architects Inc., Provident Energy Management Inc., Arborwood Tree Service Inc., Creative Irrigation Solutions Inc.

Jury comments
The Award of Merit recognizes this project for its efforts to carve out meaningful common spaces within the context of a large institutional university building. These interior spaces and abundant glazing allow natural light to come deep into the centre of the building, and also acknowledge Indigenous tradition, such as smudging ceremonies. The project succeeds in activating several
spaces of varying sizes and functions, while achieving a common design vernacular.

Award of Excellence for Civic Achievement: McQuesten Urban Farm

McQuesten Urban Farm is Hamilton’s first urban farm and public space of its kind, in the heart of Hamilton’s east end. The space was designed with a great deal of insight provided by the community and those that actively use the space today. The urban farm provides an inclusive and welcoming space for the McQuesten neighbourhood. Fresh produce is available to residents for greater food security, opportunities for social enterprise, volunteer and skill-building and environmental and food education. These are just some of the benefits the farm has provided to its neighbours.

The McQuesten Urban Farm is a Neighbourhood Action Strategy partnership between the McQuesten Community Planning Team, City of Hamilton and the Social Planning and Research Council. Now producing over 50 000 pounds of fresh produce for the community annually, the McQuesten Planning Committee continues to work toward a sustainable social enterprise, with the addition of greenhouses and year-round food production.

Location: 400 Melvin Avenue, Hamilton
Recipients: McQuesten Community Planning Team, Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, City of Hamilton, Social Planning and Research Council

Jury comments
The first phase of this urban farm, including the natural playground, provides an inspiring example of how private/non-profit organizations can work with communities to create new educational programming and amenities in public spaces. The jury agreed that it will be exciting to watch this project evolve and grow through subsequent phases.

Chief Planner Award for Outstanding Contribution to the City of Hamilton Public Building: David Braley Health Sciences Centre

The David Braley Health Sciences Centre has been positioned and composed to reinforce the surrounding civic precinct and enliven this downtown streetscape. It forms a new western interface with Commonwealth Plaza, a layered edge of paving and stone planter beds and a new entry plaza. The building massing steps back from Main Street in a series of terraces that overlook city hall and the escarpment to the south. It features a weathered copper clad multipurpose room that extends out over the side walk echoing the massing of the council chamber across the street. The building’s public realm extends up through the building via a cascading series of public spaces that leads the visitor to the top of the building, providing dramatic views along the way. Common throughout the building is the usage of stone, wood and planting features that links these elevated spaces back to the original ground plane entry and connects to the idea of Hamilton as a city situated between the lake and the escarpment, surrounded by nature.

Location: 100 Main Street West, Hamilton
Recipients: McMaster University, NORR Limited, Dillon Consulting, André Scheinman Heritage Preservation Consultant, Ball Construction

Jury comments
The building is a wonderful example of civic architecture, featuring strong and deliberate attempts to create a seamless connection between the street, ground floor foyer areas and more internal spaces, such as lecture theatres with generous windows that provide compelling views of Hamilton’s downtown civic complex. While the Jury felt the building could better address the adjacent Art Gallery Open Space, the Centre’s configuration was determined through the anticipation of a Gallery expansion that would more seamlessly integrate the two prominent civic buildings into the dynamic downtown streetscape.

The City received 35 submissions from architects, urban designers, planners, landscape architects, owners and University students. Each submission was evaluated by a volunteer jury consisting of design professionals and local stakeholders. 

The categories for the 2015 awards program included:

The awards were presented to the owners and design teams at a gala reception held at the Art Gallery of Hamilton on Thursday, November 12, 2015 in celebration of World Town Planning Day.

Award recipients

This year 16 projects received awards within 10 categories:

Award of Excellence in Student Research - Steelcity Living Student Thesis

Project Description
Brownfield sites in Canada should play a greater role in the future development of post-industrial cities within the rust belt. If unproductive, these spaces have no benefit to the city’s economic future. The industrial lands along the Hamilton Harbour defined Hamilton’s economy and cultural identity as a blue-collar city for more than a century.

The project “Steelcity Living” seeks to set a precedent to transform this brownfield site into a vibrant mixed-use community with affordable housing enriched by the remediation and preservation of the site’s industrial past. This community integrates parks and open spaces around the former steel mills. The project applies research and population demographic data to justify housing typologies suited to the adaptive re-use of the former industrial buildings. The study promotes the use of prefabricated housing modules that can be stacked within the former industrial structures. 

Recipient
Desirae Cronsberry, Master of Architecture Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism, Carleton University

Jury Comments
This project reveals a number of thought-provoking ideas about the future of the brownfield lands stretched along Hamilton's Harbour. The Jury was impressed by the degree and detail that this student project took in elaborating upon the utility of these lands, remediation, the supply of affordable housing, and the adaptive re-use of massive buildings on the site.

The Jury recognized not only the extensive research, but also the eye-catching graphics and simulations created by this student in illustrating these ideas. The vivid imagery of large industrial buildings acting as a protective shell for many micro-buildings is quite innovative and would reduce the potential waste from dismantling these enormous structures.

The Jury encourages the submission of more student projects in the future. These projects soar high and offer fresh ideas that are not encumbered by regulations and restrictions. The Jury recommends that the City build stronger relationships with students, by inviting them to lend new ideas and creative solutions to City builders. 

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Award of Excellence in Community Planning - Barton-Tiffany Urban Design Study

Project Description
The Barton-Tiffany area is a brownfield site that is 26 hectares in size. It provides a significant opportunity for urban regeneration by infusing new activity within the area.  The site also faces many design challenges, given the context of a disconnected waterfront, an abutting rail marshalling yard, and brownfield constraints from past industrial activities.

The West Harbour Secondary Plan required the completion of an Urban Design Study prior to development of the lands.  The result is a compact, mixed-use community integrated into the broader city with a comprehensive transportation network. The study promotes placemaking features in the form of parks, plazas, streetscapes, and low and medium rise built form.  

The project was a design-led exercise that wove supporting studies into the final recommendations. These lands provide significant opportunities for urban regeneration by infusing new life into the area and building upon the proximity to the West Harbour GO station and the  waterfront. Community facilitation was integral to the creation of the study, which guided the built form and massing, parkland, streetscapes, and transportation options.   

Recipients

• City of Hamilton, Planning and Economic Development Department, Community Planning Section
• GSP Group
• Diamond Schmitt Architects
• Paradigm Transportation Solutions
• MTE Consultants Inc.
• HGC Engineering
• EHL Harrison Consulting Inc.

Jury Comments
Projects such as the Barton-Tiffany Urban Design Study promote a highly innovative approach that knits this former industrial area into the fabric of the surrounding community. The new community is integrated into the surrounding neighbourhood with its network of streets and public spaces.

The Jury praises the balanced approach of promoting a modest scale of development that will not siphon up density within one area. The study envisons a low-rise and mid-rise form of mixed use, transit-oriented development planned around a network of high quality pedestrian oriented streetscapes and public spaces. The Jury also acknowledges the approach by the City to provide an extensive public engagement program.

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Award of Excellence in Precinct Planning - King William Performing Arts District Study

Project Description
The King William Performing Arts District Study proposes to create an integrated, mixed-use performance district centered on Theatre Aquarius. The project aim is to demonstrate how a mixture of performing arts spaces, supported by commercial and residential land uses, could form a district that would bring vibrancy to Hamilton’s Downtown. The urban design component of the study proposes the redevelopment of under-utilized lands and envisions mixed-use developments and lively streetscapes with theatrical facilities along the street edges.

Encouraged by Theatre Aquarius, the district would be a catalyst for a wide range of businesses that cater to the performing arts scene, making this area a dynamic and sustainable community.

The Performing Arts District would also relate to the James Street North art scene and other areas of the Downtown. This district complements the Downtown in a variety of ways, attracting people to the area for entertainment, housing, and business.

Recipients

• Theatre Aquarius
• Civicplan
• dpai - David Premi Architects Inc.

Jury Comments
The Jury applauds this ambitious proposal commissioned by a theatre company to create a study which features a strong urban design component that imagines a performing arts district in Hamilton where none exists. The study promotes an approach that is intentionally extraverted, as it seeks to tie a future performing arts district into the nearby art scene of James Street North. The study represents another catalyst for the renewal of the Downtown.

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Award of Excellence in Heritage Restoration - Gage Park Restoration

Project Description
As one of Hamilton's most iconic and historically rich landscapes, this park was designed in the 1920’s by Landscape Architects Dunnington-Grubb (early founders of the profession of Landscape Architecture in Canada). This 28 hectare City park required substantial restoration and preservation of significant features to ensure the unique character and historical integrity of the park is well maintained for future generations.

The restoration included the reconstruction of the 1927 feature fountain and reflecting pool. The park was upgraded with the installation of new mechanical systems, LED lighting fixtures, and plant material. Personal safety and comfort was enhanced by improving sightlines, illumination, and improved park attractions. It was necessary to integrate storm water management measures and use innovative low-impact techniques without altering or impacting the Park's design intent. Restoration materials included brick and stone that maintained the architectural features of the park. Finally, a new bicycle pump track was installed to attract new visitors to the park. 

Address 1000 Main Street East, Hamilton
Recipients

• City of Hamilton, Public Works Department, Landscape Architectural Services
• DTAH Limited
• Steven Burgess Architect Ltd.
• Seferian Design Group
• Landscape Planning Limited
• Alpine Bike Parks Canada Inc.

Jury Comments
The Jury congratulates the approach taken by the design team to both restore this historic park and make repairs to the functional systems of the park. The restoration respects the historical design intent of the park yet provides new elements to broaden its appeal. 

Large historic parks are an important public amenity in dense urban areas. Gage Park stands out as a green gem in contrast with the built form that surrounds the park. The Jury stresses the importance of sustaining adequate public investments in these parks to both preserve their important historic elements and to allow these parks to evolve to be relevant to new generations of visitors.

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Award of Excellence in Placemaking - Binbrook Parkette

Project Description
Conceived as a “Public Square” in 1999 by the former Township of Glanbrook, this parkette is located at the main intersection in the Binbrook community core, and serves as a focal point for the community. The parkette was completed after ten years of planning and public consultation.

The design celebrates the connection of the community to its agricultural roots. The landform is designed to mimic the subtle undulations in the topography of the area. Bands of earth-toned concrete represent the furrows of farmers fields and a circular gathering space represents manmade forms juxtaposed with the landscape. This space accommodates events for the growing community and is a potential site for a significant public art piece.

Address Highway 56 and Binbrook Road, Glanbrook
Recipients

• City of Hamilton Planning and Economic Development Department Urban Renewal Section
• Adesso Design Inc.
• MTE Consultants Inc.
• Caird-Hall Construction Inc.
• Modern Ornamental Iron Works Limited

Jury Comments
The Jury appreciates lofty placemaking ambition that is realized by this parkette. This space offers the surrounding community of Binbrook with a much needed public space, a destination in the community's core for people to meet, socialize and gather for special events.

The landscape architectural design of the parkette incorporates a number of well-executed landscape elements that promote community identity by echoing characteristic features of Binbrook. As the surrounding area is built up, this space can evolve into the heart of the community, by incorporating public art and hosting community events.

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Award of Excellence in Architecture - CIBC Breast Assessment Centre - Juravinski Hospital

Project Description
The CIBC Breast Assessment Centre consists of a repurposed building and an addition of an entrance pavilion for breast cancer screening and diagnostic services. The building was designed using principles of salutogenesis which promotes environments that support healing and well-being for clients, visitors, and families. The Centre is one of the first in North America to emphasize emotional and physical health through environmental design.

The centre's feature pavilion is set back from Concession Street and nestled into the landscape to create a welcoming but low-key arrival area. A walkway flanked by an allée of trees provides human scale and comfort, and beyond the entrance, visitors find a walled garden with seating.

The exterior of the building uses materials that respond to the emotional quality of the design. The pavilion features wooden slats designed to filter light through the glass, into the main waiting area.

Address 711 Concession Street, Hamilton
Recipients

• Hamilton Health Sciences
• Zeidler Partnership Architects
• Al Regehr Landscape Architect
• Exp Services Inc.
• MTE Consultants Inc.

Jury Comments
The Jury admires the design of the entry pavilion and its surrounding gardens. The design of the building and the complementing spaces embodies both beauty and elegance in all aspects of the executed work. The detailing of the pavilion and its use of materials and colours is of the highest design quality.

The design creates a cloistered space defined by tall concrete walls that enclose the gardens and the pavilion to create an inviting, comfortable, and reassuring environment. It is clear how both the building and the landscape were designed to contribute positively to healing through the use of soft and warm materials enriched by views of the garden.

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Award of Excellence in Architecture - Hambly House

Project Description
Originally built in 1939 for Jack Hambly by architect Edward Glass, the house is one of a handful of Art Moderne houses in Ontario.

The Hambly House underwent a comprehensive restoration with the addition of a second storey wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass and a dining area and porch on the ground floor.

The renovation and addition is sympathetic with the character of the original residence, and is currently on the Hamilton’s municipal register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest.

Address 170 Longwood Road North, Hamilton
Recipients

• Lane Dunlop and Tina Fetner
• David Premi Architects Inc.
• Vanderwesten Rutherford Mantecon
• Ian McGregor Pools and Landscapes

Jury Comments
The Jury commends the sensitive design approach taken with the addition to this unique historical building. Adding to existing buildings is at best a complex endeavour which can be made more difficult if the building is of a unique architectural style such as the Hambly House.

The Jury congratulates the design team for taking this distinctive approach, which largely maintains the architectural integrity of the original house. The addition appears weightless due to the use of a glass curtain wall featuring minimal divisions between glass panels. The addition seems to flow out of the building and resembles a glass lantern. The corner panels are curved to mimic the lines of the ground floor, a design gesture that helps anchor the house on this corner property.

The expanses of glass on the upper floor contrasts with the solid materials of the main floor. In this way, the upper floor addition is visually understated. This approach is unique and should be celebrated. The designers chose to create an addition that does not visually dominate the original house and property. As such, this project is an example of understated elegance.

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Award of Excellence in Civic Generosity - John Howard Society Landscaping

Project Description
The landscaping at the John Howard Society building has become a landmark for the neighbourhood and a symbol of further investment and beautification to come.

The Society's mission is to provide effective, just and humane responses to the causes and consequences of crime through various programs and support services. The John Howard Society wanted to provide a welcoming and supportive space that has a sense of respect and dignity for their clients, who are often marginalized and live in poverty.

The design consists of a patio with seating areas that are framed by large wooden planters that provide a sense of enclosure. Metal trellises and canopies provide shade, complemented by trees, flowering plants and ornamental grasses that create visual interest and softness to this urban space.

Address 645 Barton Street East, Hamilton
Recipients

• The John Howard Society
• PMA Landscape Architects
• TCA | Thier + Curran Architects Ltd.
• Escape Designs

Jury Comments
The Jury identifies the significant gesture of civic generosity made by this project. The Jury is moved by the effort of the John Howard Society to create a positive space where their clients can feel welcomed and comfortable. Although the beautification of the backyard and street edge was constructed with a limited budget, it provides an immense impact. This noteworthy gesture contributes to the greater community, as it seeks to socially integrate clients into broader society.

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Award of Excellence in Civic Generosity - North End Free Library and Public Bench

Project Description
The North End Free Library and Public Bench is a private initiative that promotes the sharing and exchange of books in the North End neighbourhood.

This tactical urbanism action is a 'take a book, leave a book' gathering place. It is a civic gesture and public amenity that blurs the lines between public and private. It creates community and celebrates literacy in Hamilton's North End neighbourhood.

The design consists of a bench constructed of wooden slats on a sculpted steel frame that supports a suspended wooden box that features a cast resin window which comprises the library. Embracing the city's steelmaking heritage, the supporting steel frame is unfinished and raw, left with all the mill, tool and fabrication marks.

Address 56 Macaulay Street West, Hamilton
Owners Bill Curran and Maryanne Scime

Jury Comments
The Jury is impressed with this unique and refreshing intervention by a private home owner. This project is an affirmation that streets are primarily public spaces which are meant to foster interaction between people as they conduct their lives.

The combination of a free library and a bench is in itself a unique creation that appears to be directly aimed at creating relationships between neighbours, passersby, and visitors.  

The Jury recognises this project as an excellent example of Civic Generosity as people are invited to borrow a book, sit and read, or linger and talk with a friend. The Library and Bench is a lasting work that can evolve over time and become a landmark on Macaulay Street.

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Award of Outstanding Achievement & Excellence in Civic Generosity - 541 Eatery and Exchange

Project Description
541 Eatery and Exchange is a renovation to an existing century old bank building located in Barton Village. Previously converted to apartment units, the building fell into disrepair for many years and was eventually sold.

The new owners have transformed this building into a socially conscious café that is welcoming, accessible and beautiful. The café offers affordable, fresh, homemade meals at a low cost. The restaurant uses “internal currency'' in the form of buttons, for those who choose to buy a meal for another.

The development includes the preservation of the ornate exterior of the building and the renovation of the ground floor into a café with office space on the second floor. As a charitable organization, 541 Eatery and Exchange provide a welcoming safe place where people can dine and engage with one another.

Address 541 Barton Street East, Hamilton
Recipients

• Drew Hauser
• McCallum Sather Architects
• Seguin Engineering Inc.

Jury Comments
The Jury praises the adaptive reuse of this former bank building into a socially minded eatery. It creates a beacon along Barton Street East and the surrounding evolving neighbourhoods. The redevelopment of this building could have gone a number of ways; however, the owners and designers chose the lofty goal of creating a welcoming dining experience for the community. It is a place where people can get together to talk, eat and exchange ideas.  In this way, the restaurant has a vital impact by creating an important public relationship that attracts people to Barton Village. It is helping to transform this street one shop window at a time.

The Jury appreciates the exterior restoration of the elegant bank façades which maintain the architectural integrity of the original building. The restored façades are complemented by tasteful choices such as black framed windows, discreet splashes of colours, and chic signage.

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Award of Excellence in Adaptive Reuse - Dundas District Lofts

Project Description
Dundas District High School was built in 1929 and designed by Hamilton architect William J. Walsh in the Collegiate Gothic style. The school closed in 2007, at which point conversion of the property to residential condominiums began.

This restoration and conversion required a number of challenging upgrades such as environmental measures, extensive tree and shrub planting to enhance the forested edge of the property, enhanced flood control at the base of the Spencer Creek Waterfall, and permeable paving in the parking areas. The façades were carefully restored to their original splendour along with a variety of fine stone details and carvings such as gothic style ornaments, gargoyles, pinnacles and decorative crests.  

The conversion also required implementing heritage conservation measures for the front and side façades to preserve the appearance of these façades. Private balconies were sensitively located at the rear of the property to avoid altering the architectural character of the protected façades, and provide residents with breathtaking views of the Niagara Escarpment.

Address 397 King Street West, Dundas
Recipients

• Valvasori Properties
• KNY Architects
• IBI Group

Jury Comments
The Jury was presented with two adaptive reuse developments of former schools that have been converted into residential condominiums. The two school projects share similar stories that tell of the bravery and passion of their owners and the level of ingenuity required to transform these buildings into marketable residential projects. On the other hand, the two schools are also quite distinct from each other in many ways including architecturally, geographically, marketability, culturally, and financially.

The Jury distinguishes the Dundas District Lofts for the sophisticated design approach taken to transform the school into high-end residential units. The owners overcame significant hurdles by employing a variety of creative engineering solutions. This project succeeded since it was driven by the passion and vision of the project owners and their design team who addressed a variety of challenges and complex site conditions. What results is an exemplary project perched above Dundas with excellent views of the escarpment, the local downtown, and the Valley.

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Award of Outstanding Achievement & Excellence in Adaptive Reuse - Stinson School Lofts

Project Description
Located in the Stinson Neighbourhood, the Stinson School was designed by the Hamilton architect Alfred W. Peene and built in 1884. In 1914, an addition was constructed south of the school and later in 1959; a gymnasium was added between the two buildings.

The building was purchased in 2009 for conversion into residential condominiums. The conversion required the construction of an addition to unite the two buildings on the site. This modern addition was designed to be architecturally distinct, allowing the two heritage structures to maintain their visual identities. Further, the addition was designed to emphasize the visual prominence of the original school buildings by using dark materials and glass.

The renovations to the school buildings included a host of new mechanical systems and elevators that were carefully knit into the fabric of the building without significantly altering the heritage and architectural character.

Address 200 Stinson Street, Hamilton
Recipients

• Stinson School Inc.
• ICON Architects Inc.
• Lintack Architects Incorporated
• Kent Rawson Architect
• Adesso Design Inc.

Jury Comments
Much like the previously mentioned school conversion project, the Stinson School is a remarkable example of pioneering spirit, bravery, passion and ingenuity required to complete a project of this magnitude. This development began during the last economic crisis and was seen at the time as a large scale investment in a transitional neighbourhood. The Jury was enthused to learn about the significant positive impact this development continues to create for this neighbourhood.

This project is an excellent example of the kind of commitment and stamina needed to achieve a conversion of such high calibre faced with a variety of challenging conditions. The Jury congratulates the outstanding achievement and excellence in adaptive re-use of this former school site into residential condominiums.

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Award of Excellence in Design & Urban Regeneration - Arts Centre and Lofts

Project Description
This project is an adaptive re-use of a notable historic building into a performing arts centre and affordable housing for artists. The renovation of the building stripped away the previous metal cladding, and revealed a distinctive brick façade with large windows facing the Gore. This renovation is intended to be a catalyst of Hamilton's Gore Park area in the Downtown.

With a limited budget, this bold renovation pays attention to inspirational elements and touchstones for the artistic community which it houses. Whimsy, warmth, uncommon touches and bold colours allowed this project to transcend the ordinary, making this an affordable home for artists in Hamilton.

From King Street, visitors are greeted by a new two storey storefront of glass and faceted metal panels that provides a delineation from the restored masonry above. The angled and sculpted metal storefront is deeply recessed to create visual emphasis and provides a placemaking element on the streetscape. The large Brazilian cherry pivot door of the arts centre entrance includes custom pulls that add another strong design feature.

Address 95 King Street East, Hamilton
Recipients

• CityHousing Hamilton
• TCA | Their + Curran Architects Ltd.
• Maitland Spencer Engineering Ltd.
• Copa Engineering Ltd.
• Fortech Engineering Ltd.

Jury Comments
The buildings facing Gore Park are being reclaimed, restored, and reused. This important effort is bringing people and businesses back to the Downtown and creating a momentum of change in Hamilton. The Jury applauds the renovation of this important historic façade facing Gore Park. With its limited budget, this project has done more with less, achieving excellent design results and a high impact adding another attractive destination in the Downtown. The design expertly blends new architectural elements with the old building fabric. The project enlivens the streetscape both during the day and at night bringing vitality to the Gore.

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Award of Excellence in Design & Urban Regeneration - 123 James Street North

Project Description
123 James Street North is a new office and retail building located in the heart of the James Street North arts district. The site was once the home of the Tribune newspaper and more recently functioned as a surface parking lot.

This new 3 storey building is designed to fit into James Street North and contribute to the heritage character of the streetscape. As a corner building, it is highly visible from two streets. The design features a distinctive glass tower that anchors the building to the corner and the use of high quality exterior materials. The ground floor features large windows that promote interaction and vibrancy with the streetscape, both day and night. The second and third floors of the building provide office space which attracts employment uses to the Downtown and complements a wide variety of businesses in the area.

Address 123 James Street North, Hamilton
Recipients

• J. Beume Real Estate
• Lintack Architects Incorporated
• Webb Planning Consultants
• Strik, Baldinelli, Moniz
• El-Hamzawi Engineering Ltd.
• Fortech Engineering Ltd.

Jury Comments
The Jury praises this project's excellence that is achieved by infilling a significant parcel of land along the James Street North streetscape. This development adds to the momentum of change happening along James Street North by providing a building that respects the heritage character of the street.

The Jury commends how the architectural design of the building responds to the horizontal and vertical proportions of the adjacent buildings in this heritage character area. The use of brick compliments the existing building materials common to the street, while the addition of large glassed shop windows along the ground floor opens up these spaces to the streetscape. The built form anchors the corner location with a tower feature and entrance that wraps the architectural quality of the James Street North façade around Vine Street. 

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Award of Excellence in Design & Urban Regeneration - Empire Times

Project Description
This project is an adaptive re-use of a notable historic building into a performing arts centre and affordable housing for artists. The renovation of the building stripped away the previous metal cladding, and revealed a distinctive brick façade with large windows facing the Gore. This renovation is intended to be a catalyst of Hamilton's Gore Park area in the Downtown.

With a limited budget, this bold renovation pays attention to inspirational elements and touchstones for the artistic community which it houses. Whimsy, warmth, uncommon touches and bold colours allowed this project to transcend the ordinary, making this an affordable home for artists in Hamilton.

From King Street, visitors are greeted by a new two storey storefront of glass and faceted metal panels that provides delineation from the restored masonry above. The angled and sculpted metal storefront is deeply recessed to create visual emphasis and provides a placemaking element on the streetscape. The large Brazilian cherry pivot door of the arts centre entrance includes custom pulls that add another strong design feature.

Address 42-45 King William Street, Hamilton
Recipients

• Core Urban Inc.
• Lintack Architects Incorporated
• Strik, Baldinelli, Moniz
• Weekes Engineering

Jury Comments
The buildings facing Gore Park are being reclaimed, restored, and reused. This important effort is bringing people and businesses back to the Downtown and creating a momentum of change in Hamilton. The Jury applauds the renovation of this important historic façade facing Gore Park. With its limited budget, this project has done more with less, achieving excellent design results and a high impact adding another attractive destination in the Downtown. The design expertly blends new architectural elements with the old building fabric. The project enlivens the streetscape both during the day and at night bringing vitality to the Gore.  

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Award of Outstanding Achievement & Excellence in Urban Design - Gore Park Pedestrianization Initiative & Veterans' Place

Project Description
Gore Park is an important urban space in the heart of Hamilton's Downtown. This urban park required a comprehensive overhaul to better support community functions, attract more people, improve comfort and safety, upgrade functional systems, and reinvigorate the Gore. 

The Pedestrianization Initiative is the first of many planned phases identified by the Gore Park Master Plan for the revitalization of Gore Park. Through an extensive community engagement process, a single vision emerged for Gore Park that balanced the community's objectives for a meaningful and high quality public realm.

The Veterans' Place section of Gore Park is the first completed section of the pedestrian promenade, and involved relocating the heritage Cenotaph, creating an open lawn and a series of new memorial interpretive panels.

Recipients

• City of Hamilton, Public Works Department Landscape Architectural Services
• City of Hamilton, Planning and Economic Development Tourism and Culture Division
• Veteran’s Committee
• MBTW Group
• AECOM

Jury Comments
The Jury was unanimous in choosing this project for special recognition. As a collaborative effort between City departments, design disciplines and the community, this project is an exemplary accomplishment which showcases the fulfilment of several objectives.The project represents excellence in urban design, landscape architecture, park design, placemaking, and downtown revitalization. The Jury recognizes the superior design of the space and quality of its landscape features.

While only the Veteran’s Place phase is complete, the Jury can imagine the great impact that revitalization of the entire park will have on the face of Hamilton's Downtown. Investment of this high standard in the downtown represents a commitment by the City and the community at large in the recognition of the important value and benefits of a vibrant downtown.

Gore Park is a testament to the enduring value of great spaces and to the resilience and will of this community. The Jury congratulates the Gore Park design team on a job well done!

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People’s Choice Award: David Braley Athletic and Recreation Centre at Mohawk College

Address 135 Fennell Avenue West, Hamilton
Owner Mohawk College
Design Team

• Perkins + Will Architects
• IBI Group