Winners of the 2019 RAIC Architectural Firm, Emerging Architectural Practice, and Young Architect awards

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada recently revealed the 2019 winners for their annual Young Architect, Emerging Architectural Practice, and Architectural Firm awards. 

The Architectural Firm Award recognizes a reputable Canadian firm's accomplishments in architectural quality, innovation in practice, and its service to clients. The award also considers a potential recipient's contributions to architectural education and professional organizations, and public recognition.

Similarly, the Emerging Architectural Practice distinguishes the principals of an emerging architectural practice that has consistently produced top-quality built work. It also recognizes a firm's service to clients, innovation in practice, and public recognition.

Last but not least, the Young Architect Award was created to inspire architecture graduates to pursue licensure and to create high-quality work. Recipients of the award are architects 40 years of age or younger being recognized for design excellence, leadership, and service to the profession. 

All three awards will be presented during the RAIC Festival of Architecture in Toronto on October 26 to 30.

Architectural Firm Award winner: LGA Architectural Partners

About the firm: “Founded in 1989 by Janna Levitt and Dean Goodman, and formerly known as Levitt Goodman Architects, LGA Architectural Partners is a 40-person firm based in Toronto, ON. LGA’s other two partners, Brock James and Danny Bartman, have been with the firm since 1996 and 2000 respectively. Their portfolio encompasses libraries, galleries and community centers, K- 12 and postsecondary projects, and residential projects that include homeless shelters, multi-unit affordable housing, and single-family homes. Over half of the studio is involved in architectural education by serving as adjunct faculty, lecturers, or guest critics.”

Jury comment: “LGA’s diverse portfolio represents a wide range of building types that are unified in their commitment to strengthening social objectives. Their community-minded approach, combined with innovative design strategies and a sensitivity to sustainability, makes their architecture both aspirational and impressive.”

Emerging Architectural Practice Award winner: Uufie

About the firm: “UUfie is an interdisciplinary research-based architecture studio, founded in 2009 in Tokyo, Japan by partners Irene Gardpoit , MRAIC, and Eiri Ota. In 2013, they moved to Toronto, ON. UUfie's work spans art, architecture, landscape, furniture, and product design. A recurring theme in their work is the natural world. Their projects have involved collaborators from Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan.”

Jury comment: “UUfie is pushing the boundaries beyond Canada's borders and increasing the global profile of Canadian architecture. Their mix of international inspiration and style creates innovative designs that surprise and delight.”

Young Architect Award winners:

Jessie Andjelic 

Bio: “Jessie Andjelic, MRAIC, is an architect, urbanist, and educator based in Calgary, AB. She runs a practice, regularly lectures on architecture and urbanism, teaches, and mentors intern architects. Andjelic graduated from the University of Calgary in 2009 where she received the Faculty of Environmental Design Gold Medal and the RAIC Student Gold Medal. After graduation, she worked at Sturgess Architecture in Calgary, serving as Project Architect for the Nimmons House Redevelopment. She also worked at the Powerhouse Company in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. In 2013, Andjelic co-founded, with Philip Vandermey, the SPECTACLE Bureau for Architecture and Urbanism in Calgary.”

Jury comment: “Jessie’s approach is one that is uniquely visionary, proven by four competition wins in her short career. Her clear approach to the design process is scale-able and will be the kernel of excellence in larger projects to come and throughout her academic teaching career.”

Ken Borton

Bio: “Ken Borton graduated in 2007 from the University of Manitoba Faculty of Architecture, where he received numerous recognitions for his academic achievements. After an internship at Atelier in situ in Montreal, QC, Borton became the first employee of the Winnipeg-based practice 5468796 in June 2007. In just 11 years at 5468796, Borton has been a design and project architect on various award-winning projects, including Bloc_10, James Avenue Pumping Station, Guertin Boatport, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria design competition, as well as contributing to nearly all the office’s projects. Borton has also taught and curated several architectural exhibits.”

Jury comment: “Kenneth sits in a unique position as a young architect who has helped build the portfolio of one of Canada’s most influential design firms since its earliest days. He illustrates how a young architect can have a strong and influential career under the umbrella of a larger firm.”

Jury:

David Pontarini, FRAIC – Founding Partner, Hariri Pontarini Architects, 2013 RAIC Architectural Firm Award, Toronto, ON
Gilles Saucier, FIRAC – Co-founder, Saucier+Perrotte Architectes, 2018 RAIC Gold Medalist, Montreal, QC
Luc Bouliane, MRAIC – Co-founder, Lebel + Bouliane, 2018 RAIC Young Architect Award, Toronto, ON
Samuel Oboh, PP/FRAIC – Principal, Architecture AECOM, 2015 RAIC President, Edmonton, AB
Rayleen Hill, MRAIC – Founder, Rayleen Hill Architecture + Design, (RHAD Architects), Halifax, NS