RAIC announces Andrew and Jodi Batay-Csorba as 2017 Young Architect Award recipient

Today, the RAIC awarded Andrew and Jodi Batay-Csorba as the 2017 recipient of the Young Architect Award, which distinguishes architects 40 years old or younger for notable excellence in design, leadership, and service to the profession. Last year, husband-and-wife team David and Susan Scott won the accolade.

After studying and working in the U.S. for over 10 years, the Batay-Csorba couple moved to Toronto in 2010. In 2012, they established their three-person practice, Batay-Csorba Architects. 

The jury also awarded a Special Mention to Ken O. Lum, an associate at Adamson Associates in Toronto. As a Design Manager, Lum has worked on the design, construction, and planning of various project typologies around the world.

The recipients will be presented with their awards during the 2017 RAIC/OAA Festival of Architecture in Ottawa from May 24 to 27.

Read on for more.

2017 RAIC Young Architect Award winner: Andrew and Jodi Batay-Csorba

The Batay-Csorbas' work specializes in contemporary infill buildings that distinctively reflect their interest in materials and textures. “Andrew, 38 and Jodi, 39, decided to pursue mostly small-scale residential and commercial projects seeing ‘an opportunity to make a contribution to the larger discussion of architecture and development in the city.‘

“Their 2016 infill, Double Duplex, in Toronto’s Parkdale neighborhood was designed as an alternative housing model in a context of high property values and densification. The project severed a double-wide lot into two separate properties and built a four-storey, 3,500 square foot detached duplex on each site: each with two two-story units.”

“They have designed, directed, and managed some 96 projects in 38 cities and 11 countries, both on their own and previously at Morphosis and Gehry Partners in Los Angeles. Their work ranges from small-scale installations and multimedia design to architectural and interior design and large-scale urban planning.”

The RAIC jury praised their work as “very original” and “shows a lot of time and commitment to research”.

The couple attended Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI for their undergraduate studies. In 2005, they completed their Masters in Architecture at the University of California, Los Angeles. 

Special Mention: Ken O. Lum

“‘Ken Lum is playing a major role in project cost, content, and management for major complex projects,’’ the jury commented.

“The 40-year-old Lum previously worked at Hariri Pontarini Architects and KPMB in Toronto before joining Adamson Associates in 2007, where he rapidly became an Associate.”

“Ken Lum received his Bachelors and Masters of Architecture from the University of Waterloo. At the age of 28, he was shortlisted from 1,011 professionals in an international competition to design a September 11 memorial for Flight 93.”

“‘He is demonstrating the major impact that an individual in a large organization can have, and at an early stage in their career,” the jury said. “The [Special Mention] award ‘encourages the validity of support and management roles within design culture.’”

The jury members were: Barry Johns, FRAIC, Patricia Patkau, FRAIC, Tom Emodi, FRAIC, David Scott, MRAIC, Wayne DeAngelis, PP/FRAIC and Ricardo L. Castro, FRAIC.

Find more 2017 RAIC Awards in the links below.

Images courtesy of RAIC.