OAQ unveils the 2021 Architecture Awards of Excellence winners

The Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ)  unveiled the 11 winners of its Architecture Awards of Excellence  for 2021 during an online gala.

The Grand Prix d’Excellence en Architecture 2021 was awarded to the firms Lemay and Atelier 21 for their restoration of the building envelope of the Grand Théâtre in Québec City. Designed by architect Victor Prus and inaugurated in 1971, the building in the provincial capital required major work to preserve its exterior, which features a mural by sculptor Jordi Bonet. The jury noted that with the addition of a new, fully transparent envelope, the longevity of this major modernist work is assured.

“Architectural quality results from a thorough, disciplined approach that, among other things, reconciles the needs of users and the wider community by offering functional, sustainable solutions,” says OAQ president Pierre Corriveau. “The Prix d’excellence en architecture are an opportunity to celebrate these multiple dimensions of quality and the architects who contribute to them, whether through their built achievements or their commitment to the public sphere. It’s exciting to see how architecture blossoms in our communities and contributes to enhancing the value and vitality of our living environments,” he adds.

The jury for the 2021 awards was chaired by architect Jean-Pierre Crousse (Barclay&Crousse Architecture, Paris and Lima) and comprised Christiane Germain, co-president of Germain Hotels, architects Marc Blouin (Blouin Orzes architectes) and Kim Pariseau (APPAREIL Architecture), as well as Prof. Pedro Ressano Garcia (Ressano Garcia Arquitectos, Lisbon) of the Université Laval School of Architecture.

Winners of the Architecture Awards of Excellence 2021, by category:

Grand prix d’excellence and Prix du public (People’s Choice)
Project: Building envelope restoration, Grand Théâtre de Québec
Design: Lemay/Atelier 21
Client: Grand Théâtre de Québec
Location: Québec City
Photos: Stéphane Groleau

Cultural Building
Project: Pôle culturel de Chambly
Design: Atelier TAG and Jodoin Lamarre Pratte architectes in consortium
Client: Ville de Chambly
Location: Chambly
Photos: Adrien Williams/CS Design

Public Institutional Building
Project: Visitor centre, Base de plein air de Sainte-Foy
Design: Patriarche
Client: Ville de Québec
Location: Borough of Sainte-Foy, Québec City
Photos: Stéphane Groleau

Commercial/Industrial Building
Project: Förena Cité thermale
Design: Blouin Tardif Architectes
Client: Groupe SkySpa
Location: Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
Photos: Raphaël Thibodeau

Multi-Unit Residential Building/Complex
Project: Saint-Michel Housing
Design: SBTA Inc.
Client: Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal
Location: Borough of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, Montréal
Photos: James Brittain

Single-Family Residential Building, Urban Setting
Project: La Doyenne
Design: _naturehumaine
Client: Nicolas Crowley
Location: Borough of Plateau-Mont-Royal, Montréal
Photos: Raphaël Thibodeau

Single-Family Residential Building, Rural Setting (2 winners)
Project: hinterhouse
Design: Ménard Dworkind architecture & design
Client: hintercompany
Location: La Conception
Photos: David Dworkind and Alex Lesage

Project: Les blocs de bois
Design: Yiacouvakis Hamelin architectes_ yh2
Location: Lac Memphrémagog
Photos: Maxime Brouillet

Interior Design
Project: LightSpeed, Phase 3
Design: ACDF Architecture
Client: LightSpeed POS Inc.
Location: Montréal
Photos: Maxime Brouillet

Heritage Enhancement
Project: Verdun Auditorium
Design: Les architectes FABG
Client: City of Montréal, Borough of Verdun
Location: Borough of Verdun, Montréal
Photos: Steve Montpetit