The OAA regulates the practice of architecture in the province to protect the public interest. Its biennial Design Excellence Awards program celebrates the work of Ontario practices anywhere in the world. This year’s collection features a diverse range of building
types, including sustainably designed community centres, innovative housing solutions, revitalized academic and cultural facilities, and transformative public spaces.
An esteemed panel of design experts has chosen 10 winning projects for this year’s Design Excellence Awards. The selection process began with 96 submissions, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of 20 finalists. Each winning project was carefully evaluated against
key criteria, including creativity, context, sustainability, good design/good business, and legacy.

Submissions also required inclusion of Energy Use Intensity (EUI) metrics, reflecting the OAA’s commitment to pursuing climate stability in the public interest and ensuring sustainable, resilient design remains a critical component of any successful project.

“The 2026 Design Excellence Awards showcase exciting examples of the quality work being performed by members of Ontario’s architecture profession, as well as the clear impact our built spaces can have on our communities,” says OAA President Lara McKendrick. “This year’s winning projects highlight a diverse range of building types and innovative approaches. By mandating the submission of Energy Use Intensity metrics for all candidates, the OAA is pleased to actively advance climate stability and ensure
sustainable design remains a core priority for the profession.”

The 10 winners, in alphabetical order, are:
• Angle of Repose
Algonquin Highlands, Ontario
Reasonable Projects Inc.;
• Beaverton Heights Modular Transitional Housing
Beaverton, Ontario
Montgomery Sisam Architects;
• Carmen Corbasson Community Centre
Mississauga, Ontario
Diamond Schmitt Architects;
• Kìwekì Point
Ottawa, Ontario
Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc. (Prime Consultant and
Landscape Architect) and Patkau Architects Inc. (Architect);
• Koffler Scientific Reserve
Toronto, Ontario
Montgomery Sisam Architects;
• Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, University of
Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Teeple Architects (Architect of Record; now Teeple Architects
Canada Inc.) and Weiss/Manfredi
Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism (Design Architect);
• The Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum
Burnaby, British Columbia
Hariri Pontarini Architects (Design Architect) and Iredale
Architecture (Architect of Record);
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario
Bucholz McEvoy Architects and ZAS Architects Inc.;
• Toronto Public Library – Bridlewood Branch
Toronto, Ontario
Ken Fukushima Architecture in association with David
Fujiwara Architect; and
• Ulster House
Toronto, Ontario
LGA Architectural Partners Ltd.

These projects, along with the teams behind them, will be celebrated during the OAA Conference at the Celebration of Excellence, held at Tapestry Hall in Cambridge on the evening of Thursday, May 14.

At the event, the OAA will also reveal which projects won the Michael V. and Wanda Plachta Award (for projects that cost less than $8 million to build) and the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Design Excellence in Architecture (the best Design Excellence project
located in Ontario).

The event will also reveal the winner of the People’s Choice Award—the top project as voted by the public. For this last award, a special two-week online voting period begins today on Wednesday, April 8, with individuals encouraged to select their personal favourite among the 10 winners. Cast your vote now on the OAA Website. The Celebration of Excellence will also fete Brigitte Shim and A. Howard Sutcliffe, joint recipients of the Lifetime Design Achievement award, who are the founding partners of Shim-Sutcliffe Architects. Established in 1991, the firm is acclaimed internationally for its timeless designs that integrate architecture, landscape, and interior spaces.

Earlier in the day, additional OAA Award winners will be honoured at a special Recognition Lunch. The Ottawa/Gatineau-based Juxta Architects Inc. is the winner of Best Emerging Practice—a biennial award for a nascent firm that demonstrates a clear vision, well
articulated goals, and proven strategies.

Michael McClelland is the recipient of the 2026 Medal of Service, celebrated for his outstanding dedication and leadership as an OAA member. A renowned expert in heritage conservation and adaptive reuse, he has shaped communities through transformative projects like Toronto’s Distillery District and Union Station’s revitalization. His dedication to advocacy, mentorship, and design excellence has made a profound mark on Canada’s architectural landscape and beyond.

In addition, William N. Greer, William Lobban, and Jacqueline Toi Mei Chan will be posthumously added to the Honour Roll, which recognizes prominent deceased members of the profession.

Profiles of the 10 Winners and 10 Finalists are available on the OAA Website and will be published in the forthcoming OAA Awards 2026 book and shared via the Association’s social media channels.

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Impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of death and serious injury on OPP-patrolled highways. Officers across the County remain committed to detecting and removing drivers impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.

On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at approximately 11:00 p.m., officers responded to a motor vehicle collision on Highway 118 in the Township of Algonquin Highlands. Officers attended the area and located the vehicle. Officers conducted an investigation and charged a driver with an impaired driving offence.

Jonathon Watson, a 20-year-old resident of the Township of Minden Hills, was charged with:

·        Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

The accused was given a seven-day vehicle impoundment and a 90-day driver’s licence suspension. The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date.

Members of the Haliburton Highlands OPP remain committed to public safety through proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities.

If you suspect someone is driving while impaired, call 9-1-1. To report non-emergency information, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.khcrimestoppers.com.

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On September 10th, 2025, members of the Haliburton Highlands OPP and local emergency services personnel responded to a structure fire on Echo Island on Kawagama Lake, Township of Algonquin Highlands. The fire was determined to be suspicious in nature and members of the Haliburton Highlands Crime Unit began investigating the incident as a possible arson.

As a result of the investigation, John Macfadden, a 47-year-old from Bradford has been arrested and charged with:

• Arson – Damage to Property

Macfadden was released from police custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Minden at a future date.

Should you observe any suspicious activity, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122. You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.khcrimestoppers.com. When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, and you never have to testify.

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On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, shortly after 8:29 p.m., the Haliburton Highlands and Huntsville OPP officers responded to a report of a single motor vehicle collision. The location was on a private roadway near Dagger Lake Access Road, in Algonquin Highlands Township. Officers arrived at the scene and conducted an investigation. The driver of the off-road vehicle was the sole occupant and suffered major injures as a result of the collision.

Emergency medical services (EMS) transported the individual to a local area hospital and later they were transferred by ORNGE Air to a Toronto area trauma centre. Technical Trained Collision Investigators (TTCI) of the Ontario Provincial Police were called in to assist in the investigation.

The investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing.

If you have an information that can assist police, you can call the non-emergency number for the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or report on-line at www.khcrimestoppers.com.

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On July 14^th, 2025, at approximately 4:12 p.m. officers were dispatched to a single motor vehicle collision that occurred on North Shore Road in Algonquin Highlands Township. Officers attended the scene of a single motor vehicle collision where a white Hyundai Elantra had struck several trees and came to rest on the shoulder of the road. Officers learned that three suspects had fled from the vehicle after the collision. Suspects were not located at the scene and remain outstanding at this time.

Any drivers or witnesses that were in the area around that time with dashcams or security cameras are being asked to check their footage for any suspicious activity.

https://ontarioprovincialpolice.ca.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/E250932329

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have information that might assist with this ongoing investigation is asked to contact Haliburton Highlands OPP at 705-286-1431 or toll-free at 1-888-310-1122. You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Kawartha Haliburton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at https://www.khcrimestoppers.com .

The investigation is on-going at this time.

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On March 27, 2025, at approximately 12:08 a.m. Haliburton Highlands OPP were dispatched to a traffic complaint in the area of highway 35 in Algonquin Highlands Township.  Officers patrolled the area and located the vehicle in question and conducted a traffic stop. After speaking with the driver, the officers were quickly led to an impaired driving investigation.

As a result, Kaleb MARPLE-HUGHES, a 22-year-old from Bobcaygeon has been charged with:

·        Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs

·        Operation while impaired – blood concentration (80 plus)

·        Driving motor vehicle with open container of alcohol

·        Novice Driver BAC above zero

In addition to the charges, the accused was issued a 90-day licence suspension, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Minden at a future date.

The OPP remind motorists that no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive. Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122. You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.khcrimestoppers.com. When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, and you never have to testify.

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As a result of an ongoing investigation, members of the Haliburton Highlands and Kawartha Lakes OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), with the assistance of the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), executed search warrants at locations on Highland Street in Haliburton and Pine Avenue in Haliburton on February 4, 2025. Firearms, ammunition, suspected drugs and cash were among items seized. Four people were arrested.

As a result, Shawn Harding, 37 years-of-age, of Haliburton, has been charged with:

·        Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – three counts

·        Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition – two counts

·        Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm – two counts

·        Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm – two counts

·        Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm

·        Possession of a firearm knowing serial number has been tampered with

·        Possession property obtained by crime under $5000

·        Possession cannabis for the purpose of selling – two counts

The accused has been held for a Bail Hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Lindsay, Ontario.

And further, Amy Harman, 43 years-of-age, of Algonquin Highlands, has been charged with:

·        Possession of a schedule I substance

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Minden Ontario at a later date.

Anyone having knowledge of drug or property related offences is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). You can submit your information online at http://www.khcrimestoppers.com. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not have to testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2000.00.

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On January 31^st, 2025, shortly after 1:32 a.m., officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision on Highway 118, between Camp White Pine Court and County Road 14, in the Municipality of Dysart et Al.  Upon arriving on scene an impaired driving investigation commenced.

As a result of the investigation, Keegan Kyle, a 31-year-old of Algonquin Highlands was charged with:

·        Operation while Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration over 80

In addition to the charges the accused received a 90-day licence suspension, and the motor vehicle was impounded for seven days.

The suspect was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Minden at a later date.

The Haliburton Highlands OPP reminds motorists to plan ahead when consuming alcohol or drugs. Use a designated driver, cab, or stay overnight. Any amount of alcohol or drugs can impact your ability to make sound judgements.

Haliburton Highlands OPP values your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please visit Crime Stoppers at: www.khcrimestoppers.ca or call 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

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On September 30, 2024, officers of the Huntsville OPP Detachment began an investigation into a reported theft. A local business reported an employee stole over $60,000 in construction materials.

On October 2, 2024, the Huntsville OPP with assistance from the Muskoka Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) recovered the stolen property in Haliburton.

As a result, Andy CLAYTON, a 62-years-old of Algonquin Highlands Township, was arrested and charged with:

• Theft Over $5,000
• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
• Fraud Over $5,000

The accused was released on an Undertaking and will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a future date.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit information online at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.

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