Toronto, Ontario, November 23, 2010 – The Design Exchange (DX) announces the 2010 winners of Canada’s National Design Exchange Awards. This nationwide competition is open to all types of professional designers and business’ across Canada working in a range of design disciplines. The awards were presented at a gala dinner on the Historic Stock Exchange at the DX on November 23, 2010. All winners will be on display in an extensive exhibition at the Design Exchange from November 24, 2010– March 27, 2011.

Winners

Commercial Architecture

Bloor/Gladstone Branch Library Gold. The goal of the Toronto Public Library was to add an additional 12,000 square feet, bringing the collection and facilities to a level consistent with that of a Toronto District Library. Designed by RDH Architects Inc. with Shoalts & Zaback and E.R.A Architects the initiative included: updated energy efficient mechanical systems and lighting, two green roof systems, a reduction in city storm water demand, permeable paving along exit paths, significant planting of domestic shrubs, grasses and nineteen new trees, the use of low v.o.c. materials and large extents of energy efficient glazing for an abundance of natural light throughout. This project has transformed a tired heritage library into a functional, interactive, contemporary institution. It is a prime example of how good design can revitalize a community. Since opening in 2009, the Branch has met with public approval and praise and circulation has more then doubled.

Residential

60 Richmond East Housing Development designed by Teeple Architects Inc. was announced the Gold place recpient of the Residential Artchitecture Category. It is the first co-operative housing development to be built in Toronto in almost 20 years. Ground-breaking in its architectural aesthetic and sustainable philosophy, 60 Richmond is an urban infill project that incorporates a dynamic building program and Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) initiatives. A dedicated team of stakeholders spearheaded a process of innovation and responsibility that would inform all aspects of this project from its initial conception to its occupancy in March 2010. These stakeholders include: the City of Toronto municipal government, the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto (CHFT), UNITE HERE, Local 75 - the hospitality workers’ union and the Local 75 Housing Co-operative Inc. – the body established to specifically manage 60 Richmond East. It will be home to individuals and families displaced from Regent Park, one of the city’s largest social housing projects. As part of this major revitalization, the project is specifically geared to housing workers in the hospitality and food industry who are employed in downtown Toronto. Judges expressed the project was chosen for its ability to completely change the street façade and the identity of its neighbourhood in bringing good design to the community.

Interior

In the Interior Design Commercial category, Gold recipient went to Yabu Pushelberg’s Avenue Road Showroom at 415 Eastern Avenue and Burdifilek’s Brown Thomas Luxury Hall. Principal interior designer’s Brian Gluckstein and Drew Mandel judged the category along with Susan Wiggins, Executive Director of the Interior Designers of Canada. Yabu Pushelberg was challenged to grow Avenue Road’s floor space in order to accurately represent the collections they carry and to also create an unprecedented client experience. Transforming the historic Consumers Gas building into a contemporary space meant utilizing the characteristics of the 103-year-old building and simplifying the space. Usable floor space was expanded by an incredible 15,000 square feet by installing a supporting metal truss in the roof structure. A glass atrium bisecting all three floors connects the space and pays homage to the original architectural features.

Interior Design/TemporaryPortable Category

Gold place went to Aedifica and Sid Lee’s MÜVBOX and Hariri Pontarini Architect’s Ontario Pavilion at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.

The judges found that the MÜVBOX was a stylistic re-use of a shipping container with the notion that portable fast food venues could be re-designed into a pleasant and graphic pleasing exterior.

MÜVBOX leaves a small environmental footprint, that can be installed almost anywhere, just like snack carts and has seating like a diner. Created out of a recycled shipping container and powered by solar energy, the MÜVBOX concept is a modern day reinvention of the old-fashioned canteen. Each night the MÜVBOX vanishes back into its box becoming an object of modern art through the colorful frescoes on its walls, and unfolds early the next morning at the touch of a button. In less than two minutes the pop-up restaurant opens with a full kitchen, counters and terrace. MÜVBOX made its debut in the Old Port of Montreal. This cutting-edge box is made of recyclable and sustainable materials, solar power, local products and eco-friendly efficiencies, all of which are key ingredients to the brand.

Landscape

The Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project was declared the Gold award winner for Landscape Architecture. Designed by PWL Partnership, the building is an exceptional example of the collaboration between design and engineering. Constructed to improve the building’s energy efficiency, it has produced the largest non-industrial living roof in North America, granting the project to attain LEED Gold Status. It features recycled-backwater irrigation, while seamlessly extending the Vancouver iconic seawall. This green approach to designing a structure emphasizes the social responsibility of the designer while successfully integrating the centre into the existing identity of British Columbia.

Urban Design

In the Urban design category, the Old Post Office Plaza in St. Louis was stated the Silver award winner. The project for Gateway Foundation, is a dynamic landscape terrain for residents, workers, and visitors and is important as it reconnect them with the city. The design incorporates the surrounding historic Old Post office while creating a dynamic three-dimensional stage for public life. The centre is an operatic interpretation of the myth of Daedalus. A large figural sculpture titled “Torso di Ikaro” by Artist Igor Mitoraj is centered around eight urban design elements whose topological relationships and character encourage a continuous engagement with the public. The city centre emphasizes the celebration of city life displaying its intention of honoring the past while looking towards the future.

Industrial Design

Chattoo Watta – Mortar and Pestle designed by Tahir Mahmood won Silver place the highest rank in the Industrial design category. Designed for Nosha Corporation, Mr. Mahmood reignited the passion for using the creative hand by reviving an ancient and dying craft of lathe turning with a ‘lac’ color resin application. The mortar and pestle is made from Dalbergia Sissoo wood and the entire process is environmentally friendly with all materials being organic in nature.

Visual Communication

In the Visual Communication - Brand and Identity design category, Microbrasserie de I’lle d’Orleans was announced the Gold award recipient. Designed by Atelier 480, the goal was to rebrand its existing image, both emotionally and physically reach out to new customers while still honoring its loyal ones. Its new labels expand on the company’s long-standing history by presenting some of d’Orleans’s earliest settlers, highlighting the founding organization’s origins. The new labels highlight individual characters and are associated with each type of beer. The illustrations depict the settler’s own stories and personality traits while combining current trends. The key to the label’s design effectiveness is the antiqued finish, which emphasizes the handicraft style of the beer, a key feature that has distinguished the beer brand from its competitors. Judges, George Haroutiun Art Director from Applied Arts Magazine and Melissa Agostino from Sali Tabacchi identified with the strong Canadian history of the brand and with the new designs seamless update of past into the present.

Staff Choice

Nadège Patisserie by Nelson Kwong Architect

DuoCheck by Kangaroo Design

Behold Telescope by GSMPRJCT° creation

InfoThe Design Exchange Awards promote Canadian design excellence and recognizes the critical role of design in all types of organizations – national & international. The Awards celebrate the success stories achieved through close partnerships between clients and designers. Projects are recognized for balancing function, aesthetics, and economic success.

Awards were presented in 12 categories including architecture, interiors, industrial design, visual communications, landscape architecture, urban design and CEO of the year.

2010 Judges:
Architecture
Kendra Schank Smith Ph.D., MRAIC – Chair, Associate Professor, Department of Architectural Science, Ryerson University
Ian MacDonald – Principal, Ian MacDonald Architect Inc.
Lisa Rochon – Architecture Critic, The Globe and Mail
Scott Sorli – Principal, Sorli Associates

Industrial Design
Andrew Jones – Furniture Designer, Andrew Jones Design
Lars Dressler – Furniture Designer, Brothers Dressler
Todd Wood – VP Industrial Design, RIM Company

Interior Design
Drew Mandel – Principal, Drew Mandel Design
Brian Gluckstein – Principal, Gluckstein Design
Susan Wiggins – Executive Director, Interior Designers of Canada

Visual Communication
Georges Haroutiun – Art Director, Applied Arts Magazine
Melissa Agostino – Partner, Sali Tabacchi

Landscape & Urban Architecture
Janet Rosenberg – Principal and Founder, Janet Rosenberg + Associates
Richard Sommer – Dean, University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design

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