Toronto Urban Design Awards - 2009

[unterbau]

Oh, this is good. I like the idea of architectural awards that specifically take the urban context into consideration

http://www.bustler.net/index.php/article/toronto_urban_design_awards_2009/

The winners of the 2009 Toronto Urban Design Awards, the 6th since amalgamation, were recently announced. The award program celebrates the best urban design in Toronto. Unlike other design awards programs that highlight individual projects, the Urban Design Awards honor the improvements to urban life made by designers who are focusing on context?the way their designs fit into the surrounding environment and contribute to the creation of great public spaces.

?To create a successful ?place,? each new building, open space and streetscape element has to follow a similar set of rules?some written, some unwritten?so that the sum of parts works as a coherent, well-proportioned whole, despite being built by many individuals and over a long period of time,? said Robert Freedman, Director of Urban Design at the City of Toronto. ?We have worked hard over the years to refine the submission requirements to emphasize place-making and context and we have observed an enthusiastic response from the design community and noticeable improvements in the urban design quality of submissions.?

Some of the winners (many more at: http://www.bustler.net/index.php/article/toronto_urban_design_awards_2009):

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE - BUILDING IN CONTEXT | PRIVATE - Mid-rise Building: ACADEMY LANE AND BEACH HOUSE LOFTS by WHA Achitects Inc., The Walsh Group, STREETCAR Construction

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE - BUILDING IN CONTEXT | PRIVATE - Low-scale Building: 40R_LANEWAY HOUSE by superk?l inc | architect

HONORABLE MENTION - BUILDING IN CONTEXT | PRIVATE - Mid-rise Building: TOY FACTORY LOFTS by Quadrangle Architects Limited