Celebrating Design Excellence

Unbuilt projects, such as a plan, study or vision of an area that proposes a development or redevelopment strategy for an inspired urban environment.

Submission Types:

Urban design studies, master plans, secondary plans, district plans and community plans

Judging Criteria:

Comprehensiveness – Demonstrates a multi-layered approach to the evolution of the design and its integration into the given context or site

Innovation – Highlights new ideas, approaches and technologies towards the conceptualization of design of the built environment

Stakeholder Engagement – Degree to which stakeholders were involved in the shaping of the project

Eligibility:

The project must be submitted to and endorsed by the local municipality in which the project is located

Large-scale built projects providing places for people to live, work, play and learn. This includes multi-modal options and a diversity of land use and built form.

Submission Types:

Communities such as mixed-use developments, subdivisions, large infill projects, greenfield and brownfield redevelopments

Judging Criteria:

Comprehensiveness – Project is informed by the Region’s Model Urban Design Guidelines, Complete Street Guidelines, other relevant guidelines, and demonstrates best practices in urban design

Innovation – Highlights new ideas and approaches to the design of the built environment

Vibrancy – Project evokes a sense of place and successfully invites people to enter and experience the community

Sustainability – Includes features related to sustainable community design, including green buildings, green energy and green infrastructure

Eligibility:

The project must be substantially complete (ready for occupancy/use); and physically accessible to the public

New building (or group of buildings) of high architectural standards which achieves design excellence through its relationship with its immediate surroundings and the urban fabric.

Submission Types:

Projects will be grouped together by the jury panel, based on built form typologies

Judging Criteria:

Quality of Execution – Project exhibits architectural excellence through massing, orientation, scale, materiality and composition

Contextual Response – Project is well-integrated into the surrounding context and contributes to the urban fabric

Sustainability – Includes features such as sustainable building design elements, green energy and green infrastructure

Eligibility:

The project must be substantially complete (ready for occupancy/use); and physically accessible to the public

Additions or renovations to existing buildings. Projects will achieve design excellence through their relationship with the existing built form and the immediate surroundings.

Submission Types:

Projects will be grouped together by the jury panel based on the type of building alteration, for example, facade improvement, adaptive re-use, etc.

Judging Criteria:

Quality of Execution – Project exhibits architectural excellence through massing, orientation, scale, materiality, composition and contextual response.

Sustainability – Includes features such as sustainable building design elements, green energy and green infrastructure.

Eligibility:

The project must be substantially complete (ready for occupancy/use); and physically accessible to the public

Installation of a publicly accessible interior design project that is within a newly constructed building.

Submission Types:

Projects will be grouped together by the jury panel

Judging Criteria:

Quality of Execution – Project exhibits interior design excellence through functionality, materiality and creativity

Innovation – Highlights new ideas and approaches to the design of building interiors

Sustainability – Includes features such as sustainable building design elements, green energy and green infrastructure

Eligibility:

The project must be substantially complete (ready for occupancy/use); and physically accessible to the public

Small-scale, outdoor projects that are permanent or temporary in nature. Located on public or private lands, they are designed to improve an urban space or condition.

Submission Types:

Streetscaping, placemaking elements, pop-up spaces, urban amenities, seasonal installations, and active transportation enhancements.

Judging Criteria:

Quality of Execution – The project exhibits design excellence through use of materials, composition and installation to enhance the surrounding built environment.

Innovation – highlights new ideas and approaches to the design of the built environment.

Vibrancy – project successfully invites people to enter and experience the space.

Eligibility:

The project must be substantially complete (ready for occupancy/use); and physically accessible to the public

Installation of a publicly accessible interior design project within an existing building.

Submission Types:

Projects will be grouped together by the jury panel based on the type of type of project, for example, adaptive re-use, historical restoration, etc.

Judging Criteria:

Quality of Execution – Project exhibits interior design excellence through functionality, materiality and creativity

Innovation – Highlights new ideas and approaches to the design of building interiors

Sustainability – Includes features such as sustainable building design elements, green energy and green infrastructure

Eligibility:

The project must be substantially complete (ready for occupancy/use); and physically accessible to the public

Publicly accessible outdoor landscape spaces, located on municipal or conservation area lands.

Submission Types:

Streetscapes, urban plazas, parks, trails, open spaces, naturalized areas and outdoor community facilities

Judging Criteria:

Quality of Execution – Project exhibits landscape architectural excellence through materiality, functionality, integration with the immediate surroundings and positive contributions to civic life

Vibrancy – Project successfully invites people to explore and experience the space in a variety of ways

Sustainability – Includes features such as sustainable landscape practices, bio-diversity, low-impact development and green infrastructure

Eligibility:

The project must be substantially complete (ready for occupancy/use); and physically accessible to the public

Outdoor publicly accessible landscape spaces located on private lands. This includes landscape areas both at grade and on structures.

Submission Types:

Projects will be grouped together by the jury panel

Judging Criteria:

Quality of Execution – Project exhibits landscape architectural excellence through functionality, materiality and positive relationship with the public realm

Vibrancy – Project contributes to positive experiences of an outdoor space

Sustainability – Includes features such as sustainable landscape practices, bio-diversity, low-impact development and green infrastructure

Eligibility:

The project must be substantially complete (ready for occupancy/use); and physically accessible to the public

Publicly accessible outdoor art installations located on either private or public lands.

Submission Types:

Murals, sculptures, art installations, light / video / digital projects, custom site or street furnishings

Judging Criteria:

Quality of Execution – Project exhibits design excellence through creativity, execution and positive contributions to the public realm

Vibrancy – Project successfully invites people to experience the art piece

Eligibility:

The project must be substantially complete (ready for occupancy/use); and physically accessible to the public

Any built form or landscape project completed before Dec. 31, 2019. Submissions must clearly demonstrate the design legacy impact of the project.

Submission Types:

Projects will be grouped together by the jury panel

Judging Criteria:

Quality of Execution – Project exhibits design excellence by continuing to be an influencing power within the community

Legacy Impact – Project continues to resonate with people, demonstrating an enduring quality of design

Eligibility:

The project must be substantially complete (ready for occupancy/use); and physically accessible to the public

Student design projects that seek to provide a design solution specific to the Niagara context.

Submission Types:

Student design projects can be submitted within any of the design categories.

Judging Criteria:

Comprehensiveness – Addresses factors including contextual integration, contributions to public realm and sustainability

Innovation – Highlights new ideas and approaches to the design of the built environment

Eligibility

The student project must be: Prepared by a student attending a Canadian post-secondary institution; Submitted and evaluated by the respective post-secondary institution; Located in Niagara