2008 OAA Awards Teaser

Communications Committee

Mandate: to strengthen OAA communication and outreach programs and activities authorized or directed by Council.

Not sure if this is needed or is still current?

1. To increase and enhance communicationto internal and external audiences. 2. To focus on two-way communication to all audiences 3. To facilitate member engagement 4. To provide input, feedback and direction on the implementation of communication strategies. 5. To monitor tactics in order to continue to develop effective, ongoing strategies.

In 2008 the Committee focused on the development of a Communications Framework Document. The need to create a new Communications Framework was brought to light in discussions with the winning proponent of the November 2007 OAA Web site RFP-Snuffbox/Bruce Mau Design/ Think Flo. These conversations revealed a need to develop a new communications framework and toolkit to assist in the establishment of an effective communications strategy and bring focus on key operational and strategic issues. The previous Communication plans were based on existing, out-dated statistics and surveys (10 years or older).

The OAA engaged Brue Mau Design (BMD) to complete this project. Their work began with a research document which was drawn from a series of interviews, conversations with OAA staff, councillors and diverse stakeholders which took place in the summer of 2008. This research led to the establishment of a comprehensive communications framework. Next steps in evolution of the communications framework involve the launch of a new Web site (projected for 2009) and a revised identity.

2008 Communications Committee Pawel Fiett, Vice President, Communications Lou Ampas, Councillor André Sherman, Councillor

Perspectives Quarterly Journal

This OAA journal is distributed to the membership, the building industry, client groups, the public and the media. Its mandate is to educate, promote, inspire and provide a forum for dialogue on architecture.

In 2007 Naylor Canada Inc. began as publisher of Perspectives. Two thousand and eight was a year of transition and refinement of the process and schedule for the publication and now both parties are pleased with the system being followed.

The Communications Committee met with the Perspectives Editorial Committee in early 2008 to discuss the continuation of the development of the journal as an informative and relevant resource for members, originally proposed and discussed in 2006/07. The direction from the Communications Committee to the Perspectives Committee was to introduce “Council priority”, “edgy” topics to create dialogue and awareness among the profession and the industry; useful practice and industry information; columns; and the use of industry experts. The Perspectives Editorial Committee began this new direction for the journal with the “Sustainable Architect” issue (spring 2009). The Committee will continue to implement this new mandate for the publication in 2009 and beyond.

In 2008 topics included: ❚ Architects' Houses II (spring) ❚ OAA Awards (summer) ❚ Architecture & Food (fall) ❚ Tall Buildings (winter)

If you are interested in receiving Perspectives,e-mail [email protected] with your full mailing address.

2008 Perspectives Editorial Committee

Ian Ellingham, Chair Gordon Grice, Editor Deborah Friesen Cliff Harvey Evangelo Kalmantis Herb Klassen Vivian Lo Mary Ellen Lynch Comisso Christopher Moise Gary Pask Barbara Ross Alexander L. Temporale

The Honours & Awards Task Group co-ordinated the 2008 OAA Annual Awards Program. The Honours & Awards Task Group selected the jury who met in March at OAA Headquarters to judge the submissions. One hundred and sixty two submissions were received. The awards were presented at the Celebration of Excellence at the Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview Hotel, Niagara Falls on Friday, May 2, 2009 as part of the OAA Conference.

2008 Honours & Awards Task Group

Cheryl Giraudy, Chair (Jan-June) Carl Knipfel, Chair (Aug-Dec.) Andre Sherman, Councillor Gordon Grice John Harhay Carl Knipfel Liza Medek Patrick Saavedra

Find out more about architectural services, the profession and the OAA by visiting www.oaa.on.ca

OAA Awards Program New Award for the 2008 program!

The OAA Awards program is re-evaluated annually to keep the awards relevant to its membership. In keeping with this tradition, the People’s Choice Award was added to the awards program and launched at the 2008 Celebration of Excellence.

The People’s Choice Award was created to engage the broader community in discussing the remarkable projects being designed in the province today and to create greater awareness about architecture and design.

The Award was launched with a Media Release party in February, 2008 where award winners and the press were invited to celebrate this new award and encourage the public to learn more about Ontario architecture. OAA President, Sean O’Reilly also made an appearance on City TV to promote the People’s Choice Award.

Over 2800 votes were cast during the month-long, online voting process. The Multi-faith Centre for Spiritual Study and Practice, University of Toronto, Toronto by Moriyama & Teshima Architects was the first-ever People’s Choice Award winner.

2008 Award Juries

Design Excellence & Plachta Award

Chair: Shirley Blumberg, Partner, Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects Ian Chodikoff, Editor, Canadian Architect Joshua Chaiken, Senior Associate Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates PC Christina Zeidler, Film & Video Artist and Developer Hilary Smyth, Deputy Editor, Canadian House & Home Magazine

Concepts & Presentations & Allied Arts

Chair: Rick Haldenby, O'Donovan Director of the School of Architecture, University of Waterloo Edward Burtynsky, Photographer & Artist Alessandro Munge, Managing Partner, Munge Leung Design Associates Kendra Schank Smith, Chair and Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural Science, Ryerson University

Landmark, da Vinci Award, G. Randy Roberts & Best Emerging Practice Award

Chair: Liza Medek, Architect Mark Guslits, Chief Development Officer, Toronto Community Housing Sean O’Reilly, OAA President Diana Osborne, Architect, Osborne Architect

For further updates on the awards program visit the OAA Web site at www.oaa.on.ca.