PER NA 11 el52x v,5 No,3 1991 ARCH A PUBLICATION OF THE ONTARIO OF ARCHITECTS When the jury for the OAA Architectural Excellence Awards met last October at 50 Park Road, they faced a formidable challenge. Sixty three submissions, representing a diverse range of architectural styles, intents, and solutions, awaited their evaluation. Since most of the jurors were from outside Toronto, the task had to completed in a sin9,le day. "It was a very full day, ' says Ruth Cawker, professional advisor to the 1990 Awards Jury. "To provide a working context, I gave the jury background on the awards program, and mapped out an agenda for evaluation." The jury began its evaluations with the 25 year award, which received nine submissions. The historical distance of these projects set an objective tone for the day's deliberations. The criteria used for the 25 year award submissions included spatial or exterior design features, the current condition of the building, the extent to which it exemplifies the era in which it was built, innovations in materials and systems, and its overall importance to the community and regional heritage. "TheJ'ury began by using a matrix system, which a ss.i'luf' 1::\tinc s tn arh c...rit '? ri -~D ./ ' S~"C: C ?!.'tAIker 1I1311t it soon became apparent that this wasn''t necessary, and winners. The graphic standard was also very striking." An early sketch from they switched to cliscussions of the relative importance of Cawker points out that there was a high degree of Quadrangle Architects each submission." consensus among the jury members, who represented Limited's award winning The criteria used for the 54 submissions to the OAA electoral districts. The result was an especially work for the Canadian Architectural Excellence Awards included interesting use dynamic selection process. Imperial Bank of of materials or systems in construction, examples of good "I think the jury took a very wactica!, balanced but Commerce in Kitchener. planning, spatial or exterior design features, social and energetic approach," she says. 'They also made several community importance, and whether the project practical recommendations for future competitions." See page 11. overcomes specific hurdles such as budgetary The Jurors: Lloyd Alter, B.Arch., OAA, MRAIC, constraints. Toronto; Thomas R. Barber, OAA, MRAIC, Sault Ste. "The jury was very impressed with the high quality of Marie; Frank Carter, B.Arch., OAA, Ottawa; Robert submissions, and their diversity," says Cawker. DiMaio, OAA, Windsor; Fernando Fabiani, B.Arch., OAA, "Probably half of the projects were discussed as potential MRAIC Hamilton. Convention Contrasts in opinion 1"'_ ..... The theme" Contrasts in Scale" prompted inspired process by producing sketches of several of his projects discussion and insightful presentations at the OAA on an overhead projector. A building's inherited frame Convention in Toronto last month. The larger topics of is the primary consideration, he said. "Office blocks architecture and urban planning were discussed in don't have sufficient meaning to be floating," he said. depth at the meeting, in both daytime sessions and a "They should serve as a frame." special evening forum at the University of Toronto's The evening forum at Convocation Hall was the Convocation Hall. scene of lively debate among architects Shirley American architect John Burgee started proceedings Blumberg, Edward Cullinan and Carlos Ott, and with a detailed overview of the large scale J?rojects he planner Frank Lewinberg. has worked on around the world. He explamed how Moderator Colin Vaughan used his provocative style these large scale designs considered the scale of the to spark a wide ranging discussion of topics which surrounding built environment, relating to it and the included London's Canary Wharf development, density particular city's personality. in Venice, Harbourfront, and monster homes in Emphasizing the architect's responsibility to unify the Toronto. urban landscape when placing large buildings, Mr. The influence of political decisions on architecture Burgee detailed his work on tne IDS building in and the urban landscape occupied a good deal of the Minneapolis. While the project's size dictated a 50 evening's discussion, which was welf-attended by storey structure, the architects reduced its mass through architects and the public. The panel unanimously the use of reflective glass and by narrowing the profile agreed on one question raisedby a citizen: the practice of the corners. of producing renderings which misrepresent a project's Mr. Burgee completed his overview of the design impact on the urban landscape should be stopped. Volume S, Number 3 process for large scale buildings with presentations on The Friday afternoon case study and tour of the CBC Inside June, 1991 the AT&T builCiing in New York, the Pennzoil building Broadcast Centre was another informative session. in Houston, the Crystal Cathedral in California, and the Delegates got an inside look at the design development This special issue of Perspectives CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto. process from architects David Scott and Bill Laht and highlights the work of the t990 London architect Edward Cullinan attracted a large Cadillac Fairview's Peter McAlister. Don Allen of ArchHectural Excellence Award crowd which included a sizeable contingent of students Vibron Ltd. provided a detailed analySis of the rigorous winners ... Pages 3-11 at his afternoon presentation. Utilizing a professorial acoustical standards the centre will meet. style familiar to those who studied with him at the The Architectural Products and Services Show, held 25 Year Award Winner, the SheRer University of Toronto, he examined the theme of in conjunction with the convention, provided delegates at Edwards Gardens in Contrasts in Scale in terms of "the detailed design of with an impressive display of new products and Toronto ... Page 12 new places in inherited frames". services. Exhibitors continued their tradition of Using a slide presentation for historical perspective, energetic, lively displays of new products of specific Award of Merit Winner, Three Small Mr. Cullinan took the audience through his design interest to the architectural profession. Rooms ... Page 12 Editorial serves as inspiration for and donate a large amount definitely there. Competing with excellence extra effort in any of time and expertise to The process of endeavour. charitable and social causes. rewarding excellence is a Last month, on behalf of A number of them have dynamic one. It's time we We honor those whose the OAA, I accepted the received awards in harnessed the creative work we respect and Toronto Historical Board recognition of their service. power this process can admire. In this special issue 1991 Award of Merit. The A wards inspire generate in less traditional of Perspectives, the OAA board cited two of our greatness, and help us areas of architecture and celebrates the excellence of association's centennial achieve recosnized goals. I building. As we are told its members' work. The activities for the award: the believe it is time we ad nauseam by the media, drawings and text on the publication of OAA: A architects widened the we must be competitive to following pages give us a Centennial History by scope of awards beyond survive. Let's start by glimpse of the creative Geoffrey Simmins, and the excellence in design. Why rewarding excellence in all process which has donation to the Fisher Rare not have an awards aspects of our profession. produced work which Book Library of the OAA program which encourages endures and inspires. Centennial Collection, innovation in building Our salute to this books primarily from the technology? Or a prize for a excellence is important not library of William G. Storm, project's energy efficiency, only for the sake of the our fust president. or environmental ~. talented winners. In a larger On an individual level, awareness? As the winners Eliseo Temprano context, the recognition and many of our members are in this issue demonstrate, M.Arch., OAA, MRAIC appreciation of excellence active in the community, the potential for greatness is President OAA Convention Highlights Clockwise, from top left: Past president Irv Rayman congratulates 1991 Order of da Vinci recipients Brian and Brenda Parks (1) and Blandford Gates (2). (3) Ross Waddingham, associate with Peat Marwlck and Thorne and former OAA Lieutenant Governor in Council Appointee, was elected an Honorary Member. (4) Michael Burtch received the Allied Arts Award for innovative work with an architect in Sault Ste. Marie. (5) Crescent School graduate Christopher Omelon won the 1990 OAANladen Milic scholarship. Graduate associates Stephen Blood (6) and Mark Mathiassen (7) received the Raymore Medal, for the highest standing in the 1990 Admission Course. (8) Certificates of Appreciation for service were presented to retiring Councillors (I to r) James Crang, John Houghton, Douglas Neville (Past President) and Robert Stiff (Past President). (9) The 25 Year Award of Excellence for the Shelter in Edwards Gardens was presented to Raymond Moriyama (left) and Robert Bundy, Toronto's Commissioner of Parks and Property. (10) Janis Kravis received the 25 Year Award of Merit for the Three Small Rooms. (11) Retired Member Dr. Thomas Howarth was elected an Honorary Member. (12) The OAA Community Service Award was presented to architect Don Loucks, who spearheaded the volunteer planting of 10,000 trees in the Rouge Valley. Lynda MacDonald accepted the award on his behalf. 2 JURY REPORT Avoiding the trend to NEWCASTLE TOWN HALL, BOWMANVILLE abandon an existing town hall and build new facilities, this project provides a refreshingly DESIGN STATEMENT contextual solution to a The Newcastle Municipal Administration building consolidates the town's municipal common problem in the government facilities into a new civic complex. The legislative and administrative Ontario townscape. Lauded aspects of civic government are acknowledged by the separation of orders in the for its witty relationship to scheme.