Celebrating Our Creative Cluster
Niagara Region hosts the Niagara Biennial Design Awards, a bi-annual awards program, that celebrates design excellence in Niagara. The program showcases a range of exemplary design solutions within the diverse built environments of Niagara. Established in 2020, the Niagara Biennial program promotes the contribution to Niagara’s economy by creative cluster of designers, artists, fabricators, builders, and owners. The work of these creative individuals must balance complex issues of sustainability, livability, inclusivity, vibrancy, and climate change. The Niagara Biennial continues to reflect Niagara as a place with great design.
Design Categories, Eligibility and Judging Criteria
The awards will be judged by a jury panel. All projects must be located within the municipal boundaries of the Niagara Region and be completed between August 5, 2022 and August 2, 2024. Enduring design projects must be completed before 2022 and must clearly demonstrate how these projects have had an endure and influenced past and current projects.
Submission Deadline:
Closed as of 5:00pm August 2, 2024.
2024 Winners
2024 Niagara Biennial: List of Award Recipients
Grand Prize Winner
The Exchange | Niagara Falls
Project Address: 5910 Sylvia Place, Niagara Falls
Project Owner: City of Niagara Falls
Project Team: DTAH, Garritano Brothers Ltd, Fæt Lab, WalterFedy, ENTRO, Introba/Integral Group, ASI
Grand Prize Winner
Jordan Village Public Realm Revitalization
Project Address: Jordan Village
Project Owner: Town of Lincoln
Project Team: Arcadis, Trenchline & Roads, Stevensville Lawn Service Inc., Earthscape
Outstanding Achievement (Landscape Architecture)
Coronation Park Improvement
Project Address: 77 Main Street West, Grimsby
Project Owner: Town of Grimsby
Project Team: Shoreplan Engineering, CRL Campbell Construction
Outstanding Achievement (Outdoor Art)
ReNew the View
Project Address: 282 Ontario Street, St. Catharines
Project Owner: Willow Arts Community
Project Team: Willow Arts Community Visual Artists: Marvin Dale, Tammy Fenner, Tricia Franklin, Kim Height, and Doug Paget.
Award of Excellence (Enduring Design)
Glendale Diverging Diamond Interchange
Project Address: Queen Elizabeth Way/Glendale Avenue/York Road/ Airport Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Project Owner: Ontario Ministry of Transportation with Niagara Region
Project Team: Niagara Region, The Miller Group, Morrison Hershfield/ Stantec Engineering, HDR Inc., AECOM
Award of Excellence (Landscape Architecture)
Casablanca Waterfront Park
Project Address: 420 North Service Road, Grimsby
Project Owner: Town of Grimsby
Project Team: SDG Landscape Architects, Matrix Solutions Inc., MNE Engineering, Kuntz Forestry
Consulting Inc., Oakridge Landscape Contractors
Award of Excellence (Landscape Architecture)
First Nations Peace Monument
Project Address: 2370 DeCew Road, Thorold
Project Owner: City of Thorold
Project Team: Friends of Laura Secord, Douglas J. Cardinal Architect Inc., Quartek Group, Plenty Canada and Landscape of Nations 360, Niagara Parks Commission, Niagara Region, Rankin Construction Inc.
Award of Excellence (Outdoor Art)
Public Art at the Exchange
Project Address: 5910 Sylvia Place, Niagara Falls
Project Owner: City of Niagara Falls
Project Team: Nicholas Crombach, Dillon Douglas, Jacob Headley, Emily Andrews, Lyndsay-Ann Chilcott
Projects the Jury wished to acknowledge with a Certificate of Acknowledgment
Fonthill Abbey
Town of Pelham
Project Owner: Rinaldi Homes
Project Team: Raimondo Architects + Associates
Urban Studios Redefined
City of St. Catharines
Project Owner: Elevate Living
Project Team: Better Neigbourhoods Inc., Invizij Architects
Vineyard Square
Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Project Owner: DJR Holdings
Project Team: ACK Architects Studio Inc., Upper Canada Consultants, Hallex Engineering, Sirignano Contracting, McWilliam and Assoc.
Copacabana Restaurant
City of Niagara Falls
Project Owner: SMJR Hospitality
Project Team: Raimondo Architects + Associates, Francois Frossard Design Ltd., VBSA, ARC Engineering, Seguin Engineering Inc.
Sanctuary Suites on Elm
City of Port Colborne
Project Owner: Hometown Properties Inc.
Project Team: Engineering, Seguin South Coast Consulting, G. Curnock and Associates, Upper Canada Consultants
Niagara-on-the-Lake Heritage District Feature
Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Project Owner: Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Project Team: SDG Landscape Architects, MNE Engineering, Whistling Dwarf Stonework, Three Seasons
Landscapes, Smart Watering Systems
Jury Reports
2024 Jury Report
2022 Jury Report
2020 Jury Report
Award Categories
Click to expand each Category for details.
VISIONARY DESIGN
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
URBAN DESIGN: COMPLETE COMMUNITIES
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
ARCHITECTURE: NEW BULIDINGS
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
ARCHITECTURE: BUILDING ALTERATIONS
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
INTERIOR PUBLIC SPACES: NEW INTERIOR PUBLIC SPACES
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
URBAN DESIGN: URBAN INTERVENTIONS
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
INTERIOR PUBLIC SPACES: RENOVATED INTERIOR PUBLIC SPACES
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
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: PUBLIC REALM
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
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: PRIVATE REALM
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
OUTDOOR ART
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
ENDURING DESIGN
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
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
Who Can Submit a Project
- Owners
- Developers
- Architects
- Landscape architects
- Urban designers
- Planners
- Engineers
- Interior designers
- Artists
- Students and makers involved with a specific design project
Previous Winners
Click to expand each category for past Award Recipients. For more information and pictures of the award winning projects, see the Jury Reports tab.
2022 WINNERS
INTERIOR PUBLIC SPACES: NEW INTERIOR PUBLIC SPACES AND RENOVATED INTERIOR PUBLIC SPACES
Grand Prize: Niagara Parks Power Station – Niagara Parks Commission
ARCHITECTURE: NEW BUILDINGS AND BUILDING ALTERATIONS
Grand Prize: Neil Campbell Rowing Centre – City of St. Catharines and Henley Rowing Corporation
Outstanding Achievement: Walker Sport and Abilities Centre – Brock University, City of St. Catharines, City of Thorold, Niagara Region
Outstanding Achievement: Spirit in Niagara Small Batch Distillery – Spirit in Niagara Distillery Corporation
Outstanding Achievement: Student Commons – Niagara College, Niagara-on-the Lake
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: PUBLIC AND PRIVATE REALMS
Outstanding Achievement: Rotary Park – Town of Lincoln
Award of Excellence: Bridge Street Roundabout – Niagara Region
Award of Excellence: The Gardens at Pillar and Post Inn – Lais Hotel Properties Inc.
OUTDOOR ART
Outstanding Achievement: Poppy Project – Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum
Outstanding Achievement: Downtown Bench Alley – Downtown Bench Beamsville BIA
VISIONARY DESIGN
Grand Prize: Port Robinson Ecological Park Conceptual Master Plan – City of Thorold
2020 WINNERS
VISIONARY DESIGN
Grand Prize: Fort Erie Waterfront Strategy, Fort Erie
Award of Excellence: Brock District Plan, St. Catharines and Thorold
Award of Excellence: Glendale District Plan – Visioning and Development Concept Plan, Niagara-on-the Lake and St. Catharines
URBAN DESIGN: COMPLETE COMMUNITIES & URBAN INTERVENTIONS
Outstanding Achievement: St. Paul Street Transformation, St. Catharines
Award of Excellence: Luminaires Celebration, Niagara-on-the Lake
ARCHITECTURE: NEW BUILDINGS AND BUILDING ALTERATIONS
Outstanding Achievement: 13th Street Winery, St. Catharines
Award of Excellence: Redstone Winery, Lincoln (Beamsville)
Award of Excellence: 106 Queen St. – Heritage Reconstruction, Niagara-on-the Lake
INTERIOR PUBLIC SPACES: NEW INTERIOR PUBLIC SPACES AND RENOVATED INTERIOR PUBLIC SPACES
Outstanding Achievement: Williams Hall Restoration – Ridley College, St. Catharines
Award of Excellence: Student Commons – Niagara College, Niagara-on-the Lake
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: PUBLIC AND PRIVATE REALMS
Outstanding Achievement: Bay Beach Waterfront Park, Fort Erie
Award of Excellence: International Plaza – Niagara Region Headquarters, Thorold
OUTDOOR ART
Award of Excellence: Ascendente, St. Catharines
Award of Excellence: Is this modern society?, St. Catharines
STUDENT DESIGN
Award of Excellence: Re-Engaging the Defunct and Historic Welland Canals, St. Catharines and Thorold
COMMEMORATIVE LANDSCAPES
Outstanding Achievement: Landscape of Nations, Niagara-on-the Lake
Outstanding Achievement: Voices of Freedom Park, Niagara-on-the Lake
Outstanding Achievement: Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial, St. Catharines