Ontario Wood WORKS! is seeking nominations for the 2015 edition of its awards program, which recognizes excellence in using wood in design. The organization, which leads a national campaign to increase the use of wood in commercial, industrial and institutional construction in North America, annually hands out awards in 12 categories.
The Northern Ontario Excellence Award specifically “recognizes the significant contribution Northern Ontario makes to the forest economy and the special link that exists between this industry and Northern communities,” notes the organization. “The award focuses on projects unique to Northern Ontario that honour this relationship through the use of Ontario wood products.”
Past winners include the Victoria Linklater Memorial School (2014), in North Spirit Lake, which was designed by Architecture 49 and engineered by WSP Canada Inc. The Batchewana First Nations Health Facility, on the Rankin Reserve, won in 2013. It was designed by EPOH Inc. Architects Engineers Interior Design and engineered by STEM Engineering Group Inc.
Last year a number of Northern projects received other awards through the program.
St. Victor Catholic School in Mattawa, which was designed by Larocque Elder Architects Architectes Inc. and engineered by Halsall Associates Ltd., won the Institutional/Commercial Wood Design Award (under $10 million).
The Jury’s Choice Award went to the Deer Clan Longhouse in Crawford Lake, which was designed by Brook McIlroy and engineered by Blackwell.
To be eligible for the program, projects must be complete and occupied. Only projects completed within the last three years will be eligible for consideration. Residential buildings will only be considered in the residential category and no others.
Submissions are due September 18, 2015.