Toronto, Canada – The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario recently celebrated its 18th annual heritage awards, honoring outstanding achievements in the preservation of architectural heritage. The gala brought together a myriad of professionals including developers, architects, and contractors, who have left a marked influence on preserving Ontario’s historic buildings over the last few years.
In an earnest effort to highlight and reward exemplary projects and individuals, the ACO recognized 16 individuals and nine distinct projects, chosen by a five-member jury from a pool of 35 nominations. The selected entries were judged based on various criteria such as the heritage significance, project challenges, community impact, and the innovation, commitment, and leadership demonstrated by the project partners. All considered projects were completed within the last five years, showcasing recent contributions to heritage conservation.
A notable highlight was the transformation of the former St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Kitchener. The project, spearheaded by Indwell with design by Invizij Architects and completed by Nith Valley Construction Ltd., converted the historic church into a 43-unit non-profit housing complex named St. Mark’s Place. Remarkably, the project preserved the church’s original sanctuary for community gatherings, earning it the Paul Oberman Award for Adaptive Reuse in the large-scale category.
St. Mark’s Place is not just about housing; it reflects a blend of historical preservation with modern standards, as the facility meets the stringent Passive House criteria. This standard emphasizes energy efficiency, a cornerstone in sustainable building practices that also curtails construction costs and timelines, according to the jury’s commendations.
Another transformative project recognized was the 1921 Sandwich Fire Hall in Windsor, turned into the John Muir Branch of the Windsor Public Library. Managed by Studio g+G, the project was lauded for its creative reuse of original building materials, with principal architect Jason Grossi commended for his dedication to retaining the building’s historic essence.
The event also celebrated the enlargement and restoration of a landmark—the 1916 Andrew Carnegie library in central Toronto. This extensive project, which included a 9,000-square-foot addition and was overseen by Shoalts and Zaback Architects Ltd., fetched the Peter Stokes Restoration Award for large-scale projects.
Preserving nautical history, the Marine Heritage Society of Southampton was feted for restoring the historical Range Light at the mouth of the Saugeen River, an essential navigational aid since 1903 that was heavily damaged in the winter of 2019/2020.
Special Jury Awards were also announced, highlighting unique conservations like the transformation of a former tourist home into the Bala Museum, dedicated to Lucy Maud Montgomery, and the adaptation of a 1890s house into an income-adjusted housing project for Indigenous families by the Kitchener-Waterloo Urban Native Wigwam Project.
Additionally, the achievements of individuals in research, advocacy, and leadership in heritage conservation were acknowledged. A pinnacle of the night was the presentation of the Eric Arthur Lifetime Achievement Award to Mary-Jean Page of North Dumfries for her impassioned commitment to heritage preservation across Waterloo Region.
As Deb Crawford, chair of the ACO, put it, the awards ceremony serves as a platform to “recognize the passion, expertise, innovation, and determination” that fuels the conservation of Ontario’s treasured structures and landscapes. This annual event not only applauds the accomplishments of the present but also inspires conservation efforts for the future.
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