On the evening of September 10, 2025, the City of Toronto feted the recipients of this year’s Toronto Urban Design Awards at the Palais Royale on the shores of Lake Ontario in Sunnyside. Given biennially, the program accepts submissions by project teams for completed work from over the last two years in eight categories, while another forward-looking category recognizes future work, and another recognizes student work. A jury of five distinguished members<\/a> from the area’s Architecture, Urban Design, and Landscape Architecture fields are free to choose award recipients among the submissions. If the jury is not satisfied with any of the submissions in a category, they are not required to hand out an award in that category. The jury is also free to create special awards where they see fit. This year, from 103 submissions, the jury saw fit to present 24 awards, including three special awards, one of which recognized a project from the one category that otherwise garnered no awards on its own.<\/p>\n You can read up on all of the submissions via a pair of PDFs attached to the 2025 Toronto Design Awards webpages<\/a>; Part One<\/a>, and Part Two.<\/a> What follows below is a summary of the winners, while an editorial note completes this article. For full summaries of all of the winners \u2014 Award of Excellence recipients, Award of Merit recipients, and Special Jury Award recipients \u2014 you can also download and read the PDF of the full Jury Report<\/a>, where the jury expounds upon their decisions.<\/p>\n Public Art<\/strong> (13 submissions)<\/p>\n The Public Art category, which had been captured under the Elements category in the previous years, is now introduced as a standalone category in the 2025 Toronto Urban Design Awards. This change highlights the importance of public art in shaping Toronto\u2019s urban landscape and cultural identity. This category celebrates artistic works that enrich Toronto\u2019s cultural fabric by transforming publicly accessible spaces into environments that inspire connection, dialogue, and reflection. These site-specific works, whether permanent or temporary, are designed to engage the public, integrate seamlessly into their surroundings, and enhance the city\u2019s identity and quality of life. Submissions may include, but are not limited to: sculptures, murals, digital or interactive installations, integrated artistic features, and other creative works designed to engage and inspire the public. These site-specific works of art must be designed for publicly accessible spaces, such as parks, community centers, bridges, underpasses, laneways, or privately owned public spaces (POPs). Both permanent installations and temporary projects with a significant impact on the public realm are welcome. Submissions should include a 200-300 word written statement outlining the artistic intent, site-specific integration, and how the artwork enhances the community.<\/em><\/p>\n Of note, of the thirteen submissions, three were temporary, and the other ten were permanent. On of the three temporary installations took home the single individual prize in the category. One of the submissions of a permanent nature shared a Special Jury Prize, written about near the end of this report.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Red Embers <\/strong>Award of Excellence<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Project Team<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Elements<\/strong> (4 submissions)<\/p>\n A stand-alone object, landscape element or small-scale piece of a building which contributes significantly to the quality of the public realm. Submissions may include, but are not limited to: benches, doorways, signage, canopies, porches or colonnades, gateways, light fixtures, walkways, stairways, barrier-free access and fences.<\/em><\/p>\n Port Lands Bridges <\/strong>Award of Excellence<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Project Team<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Canada Malting Silos <\/strong>Award of Merit<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Project Team<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Private Buildings in Context<\/strong><\/p>\n An individual building or a composition of buildings, that achieve(s) urban design excellence and is precedent setting for a project of its type through its relationship to the public realm, pedestrian amenity, detailing and massing, and the natural environment. Submissions should document and highlight how the project contributes to successful citybuilding through its contextual relationship, design quality and measures of sustainable design. All types of buildings are eligible whether \u201clandmark\u201d or \u201cbackground,\u201d new construction or a restoration\/transformation. Projects in both urban and suburban contexts will be considered. The Private Buildings in Context <\/strong>category consists of three sub-categories that reflect a range of scales: Low-Scale,<\/strong> Mid-Rise<\/strong>, and Tall<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Private Buildings in Context \u2014 Low-Scale<\/strong> (13 submissions)<\/p>\n Dunn House Social Medicine Housing <\/strong>Award of Excellence<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Project Team<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Brunswick Lots <\/strong>Award of Merit<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Project Team<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Ulster House Award of Merit<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Project Team<\/strong><\/em> \u00a0<\/p>\n 1120 Ossington <\/strong>Award of Merit<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Project Team<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Private Buildings in Context \u2014 Mid-Rise<\/strong> (8 submissions)<\/p>\n A mid-rise building is generally taller than four storeys, but no taller than the width of the adjacent street right-of-way (i.e. typically between 5 and 11 storeys). Submissions may include, but are not limited to: mixed-use \u201cAvenue\u201d buildings, small apartment\/condo buildings, commercial and industrial buildings.<\/em><\/p>\n There were no individual awards given in this category, but one entry shared a Special Jury Prize, written above further below in this report.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Private Building in Context \u2014 Tall<\/strong> (7 submissions)<\/p>\n A tall building is generally taller than the width of the adjacent street right-of-way. A building or project that has both tall and mid-rise components should be entered in this category.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Maple House at Canary Landing <\/strong>Award of Excellence<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Project Team<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n SickKids Patient Support Ctr <\/strong>Award of Merit<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Project Team<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Public Buildings<\/strong> (16 submissions)<\/p>\n An individual building or a composition of buildings, with a primary function to serve the public and\/or is largely accessible to the public. Public Buildings are focal points for communities of various sizes, from small neighbourhoods to a national body. Submissions should demonstrate urban design and architectural excellence through a relationship to the public realm, pedestrian amenity, detailing and massing, the natural environment and sustainable design. In this category, all building scales are eligible (low-scale, mid-rise and tall), as well as new construction and restoration\/transformation. Buildings in both urban and suburban contexts will be considered. Submissions may include, but are not limited to: education, health care, recreation, cultural, community and civic buildings.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Union Station Revitalization <\/strong>Award of Excellence<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Project Team<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n TPL Albert Campbell <\/strong>Award of Excellence<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Project Team<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Anishnawbe Health <\/strong>Award of Excellence<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Project Team<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Small Open Spaces<\/strong> (10 submissions)<\/p>\n A small open space, generally related to and defined by adjacent buildings or natural\/built elements, which provides an extension and addition to the public realm in an exemplary way. The small open space need not be publicly owned, but must be publicly accessible. Submissions may include, but are not limited to: courtyards, plazas, forecourts, gardens, trails, mews and small neighbourhood parks.<\/em><\/p>\n While two of the submissions are awarded immediately below, a further two are part of shared Special Jury Prizes noted closer to the bottom of this report.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ziibiing <\/strong>Award of Excellence<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Project Team<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Spirit Garden <\/strong>Award of Excellence<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Project Team<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n Large Places and\/or Neighbourhoods<\/strong> (3 submissions)<\/p>\n A design plan for a new or renovated large-scale area of the city. The project must be completed to such extent to allow the jury to clearly understand and evaluate the plan. The submissions in this category should clearly state the existing conditions and demonstrate how City objectives for establishing a clear public structure of streets, parks, open spaces and building sites are met. The submission should also highlight major areas of innovation, particularly those related to infrastructure, environmental management and sustainable design, as well as provide evidence of community involvement and acceptance. Submissions may include, but are not limited to: large parks, area\/district plans, neighbourhood plans, subdivisions, industrial parks, campus plans and streetscapes. Both urban and suburban contexts will be considered.<\/em><\/p>\n All three submissions garnered awards here. I have a further note regarding one of them at the bottom.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n
Architect: Smoke Architecture
Indigenous Artist: Hannah Claus; Sarah Biscarra Dilley; Rosalie Favell; Rolande Souliere; Louise
Solomon; Lido Pimienta; Eladia Smoke, Larissa Roque; Annie Beach; Kristy Auger, Adrienne
Greyeyes; Lindsey Lickers, Tash Naveau; Catherine T\u00e0mmaro, NWRCT community members
Artist: Lisa Rochon; Larissa Roque (Smoke Architecture); Tiffany Creyke
Engineer: Arup (Structural)
Other: Regent Park Sewing Studio (Banner Fabricator); Elder Jacque (Jacqueline) Lavalley
Developer\/Owner\/Client<\/strong>
Native Women\u2019s Resource Centre of Toronto
General Contractor<\/strong>
Anex Works
Photographer<\/strong>
Lisa Rochon<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Architect: Grimshaw Architects
Landscape Architect: Quinn Design Associates Inc.
Engineer: Entuitive (Structural & Bridge Engineering); Mulvey & Banani (Electrical)
Artist: Mulvey & Banani Lighting (Lighting Design)
Other: sbp schlaich bergermann partner (Preliminary Bridge Design)
Developer\/Owner\/Client<\/strong>
Waterfront Toronto
General Contractor<\/strong>
EllisDon
Photographer<\/strong>
Jonathan Bacolor
Olu Joseph<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Architect: ERA Architects
Engineer: Moon-Matz Ltd.
Other: BEST Painting Ltd.
Developer\/Owner\/Client<\/strong>
City of Toronto
General Contractor<\/strong>
Brook Restoration Ltd. (Construction Manager)
Photographer<\/strong>
Adrien Williams
ERA Architects<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Architect: Montgomery Sisam Architects
Landscape Architect: Baker Turner Inc.
Engineer: Design Works Engineering (Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical)
Other: NRB Modular Solutions (Modular Manufacturer); Vortex
Fire (Code); Nextrans Consulting Engineers (Transportation)
Developer\/Owner\/Client<\/strong>
University Health Network (UHN) Foundation
General Contractor<\/strong>
City of Toronto
Photographer<\/strong>
Doublespace Photography<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Architect: Suulin Architects
Landscape Architect: Suulin Architects
Engineer: WSP; Blackwell Structural Engineers
Other: Michael McClelland (Heritage Consultant)
Developer\/Owner\/Client<\/strong>
Kopas Developments Ltd.
General Contractor<\/strong>
Oben Build
Photographer<\/strong>
Michael Peart
Kopas developments Ltd.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Architect: LGA Architectural Partners<\/em>
Landscape Architect: Lorraine Johnson (Native Plant Consultant)<\/em>
Engineer: Blue Grove Engineering Group Inc. (Civil); Blackwell Structural Engineers (Structural); RDZ Engineers Limited (Mechanical); RDZ Engineers Limited (Electrical)<\/em>
Other: RDH (Building Science)<\/em>
Developer\/Owner\/Client<\/strong><\/em>
Janna Levitt and Dean Goodman<\/em>
General Contractor<\/strong><\/em>
Desar Construction Studio<\/em>
Photographer<\/strong><\/em>
Doublespace Photography<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Architect: Smart Density (Site Plan Architect); mcCallumSather (Architects of Record)
Landscape Architect: Quinn Design Associates Inc.
Engineer: Partners Engineering and Science Inc. (Civil); ASPECT
Structural Engineers (Structural); Hammerschlag & Joffe (Mechanical); Birnie (Electrical)
Artist: Leo Krukowski
Other: Element5 (CLT); mcCallumSather (AOR); The Contract Framing Group Inc. (Erection)
Developer\/Owner\/Client<\/strong>
Assembly Corp. (Developer); St. Clare\u2019s Housing (Owner\/Client)
General Contractor<\/strong>
Loftin Management
Photographer<\/strong>
Doublespace Photography
Leo Krukowski<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Architect: architects\u2014Alliance; Cobe Architects
Landscape Architect: CCxA
Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti (Structural); M.V. SHORE ASSOCIATES (1993)
LIMITED (Mechanical); M.V. SHORE ASSOCIATES (1993) (Electrical)
Developer\/Owner\/Client<\/strong>
Dream Unlimited Corp.; Kilmer Group; Tricon Residential
General Contractor<\/strong>
EllisDon
Photographer<\/strong>
Adrian Ozimek
Francisco Tirado<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Architect: B+H Architects
Landscape Architect: B+H Architects
Engineer: R.V. Anderson Associates Limited (Civil); Entuitive (Structural and Envelope); TMP \/ Mulvey & Banani (MEP)
Artist: Dennis Lin
Other: LMDG (Code Consultant); Footprint (Sustainability Consultant); RWDI (Environmental and Acoustic Consultant)
Developer\/Owner\/Client<\/strong>
The Hospital for Sick Children
General Contractor<\/strong>
PCL Construction
Photographer<\/strong>
Tom Arban Photography
A-Frame Photography<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Architect: NORR Architects & Engineers Limited
Engineer: Giffels Associates Limited \/ IBI Group (Civil); NORR
Architects & Engineers Limited (Structural, Mechanical, Electrical)
Other: EVOQ Architecture (Heritage Architect); BA Consulting Group Ltd. (Traffic and Loading Consultant); Entro (Signage Consultant)
Developer\/Owner\/Client<\/strong>
City of Toronto
General Contractor<\/strong>
Carillion Canada Inc. Stage 1, Bondfield Construction Company
Limited Stage 2, EllisDon Completion
Photographer<\/strong>
Doublespace Photography<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Architect: LGA Architectural Partners
Landscape Architect: Aboud & Associates
Engineer: EMC Group Limited (Civil); Blackwell Structural Engineers (Structural);
Enso Systems Inc. (Mechanical, Electrical)
Artist: Red Urban Nation Artist Collective (Mural Wall)
Other: Trina Moyan (Bell & Bernard Limited) (Indigenous Consultant); Miinikaan
Innovation and Design (Indigenous Garden Design and Installation)
Developer\/Owner\/Client<\/strong>
Toronto Public Library
General Contractor<\/strong>
Harbridge + Cross Limited
Photographer<\/strong>
Doublespace Photography<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Architect: Stantec Architecture Ltd.; Two Row Architect
Landscape Architect: Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Engineer: Stantec Consulting Ltd. (Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical)
Other: Urban Strategies Inc.; Prism – AHT Project Manager
Developer\/Owner\/Client<\/strong>
Anishnawbe Health Toronto
General Contractor<\/strong>
Harbridge and Cross
Photographer<\/strong>
James Brittain<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Architect: Brook McIlroy
Landscape Architect: Brook McIlroy
Engineer: TYLin Group (Civil); Blackwell Structural Engineers (Structural)
Other: Creative Irrigation Solutions Inc. (Irrigation); RC Engineering (Light pole footing); Creator\u2019s Garden (Indigenous Plant Expert); Cohen & Master Tree and Shrub Services (Arborist)
Developer\/Owner\/Client<\/strong>
University of Toronto – Office of Indigenous Initiatives
General Contractor<\/strong>
EllisDon
Photographer<\/strong>
Tom Arban Photography<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Architect: Gow Hastings Architects (Prime); Two Row Architect (Indigenous Consultant)
Landscape Architect: PMA Landscape Architects Ltd.
Engineer: MTE Consultants (Civil); Entuitive (Structural); H.H. Angus and Associates Ltd.
(Mechanical, Electrical)
Artist: Solomon King (Anishinaabe Artist – Turtle Sculpture); Tannis Nielsen (M\u00e9tis\/ Anishinaabe
Artist – Spirit Canoe); Henry Kudluk (Inuit Artist – Inukshuk); Raymond R. Skye (Haudenosaunee
Artist – Three Sisters); John Keeshig, Anishinaabe Midewiwin Knowledge Keeper (Teaching Lodge)
Other: The Waterworx Co. (Water Features); Goldsmith Borgal & Company Architects (Heritage)
Developer\/Owner\/Client<\/strong>
Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, City of Toronto
General Contractor<\/strong>
Buttcon Limited
Photographer<\/strong>
Tom Arban Photography<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
September 12, 2025 by Craig White<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0
![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.skyrisecities.com\/release\/img\/views.png?14728329481\")
\u00a0470\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\nCity Fetes the Winners of the 2025 Toronto Urban Design Awards<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n