Simply put, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) want to create a better world through the built environment.
Not one to shy away from larger issues, the RAIC advocates for responsible architecture and celebrates outstanding examples of Canadian design and architectural excellence. In that spirit and in collaboration with the CCA, the Governor General's Medals in Architecture are awarded biannually to those that produce exemplary work in their field. The awards contribute to the development of the discipline and practice of architecture and increase public awareness of architecture as a vital cultural force in Canadian society.
“This award truly defines what it means to be an architect in our modern world and that is why we are incredibly proud to be a recipient of a 2022 Governor General’s Medal in Architecture for 60_80 Atlantic.” said Principal in Charge, Richard Witt, BDP Quadrangle. “It is a literal manifestation of our ambitions to elevate design culture and a tribute to our vision and to our clients for believing that the vision should and could be realized.”
60_80 Atlantic stands in the heart of Toronto’s Liberty Village, a former industrial site. Comprising the adaptive reuse of a historic building with a contemporary expansion, the project offers a sustainable, contemporary workspace and urban connectivity within a fast-gentrifying historic neighbourhood. The project represents not only a commitment to reducing the carbon footprint, but also a belief that our heritage deserves preservation while creating something modern and adaptable.
In addition to its aesthetic beauty, what makes the sister sites at 60_80 Atlantic stand out are more than meets the eye. 60 Atlantic takes a structure originally constructed in the late 19th century as a vineyards warehouse and breathes new life into it as a mixed-use building designed to be a hub for the neighbourhood. 80 Atlantic is Toronto’s first mass timber framed office building in over a century. Created using layers of glued and treated timber, this material selection is not only more sustainable that steel or concrete, but it is also fire resistant and highly durable. Combined with innovations in internal systems that optimise air flow, natural light capture, and the integration of electrical and communication systems, it's clear why these buildings were chosen.
To learn more about this year’s awards, click here.