The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) is hosting an anonymous Landscape Design Competition aimed at revitalizing the grounds of its Toronto headquarters as an extension of its Renew + Refresh initiative. In addition to showcasing design excellence, teams—led by OAA or Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) members—are asked to submit designs that create a welcoming and inclusive arrival experience, incorporate public art, promote sustainability and water use in the health of the environment, and embrace the Don River watershed context. Given the substantial societal impact of the built environment, the Association celebrates sensitive, responsible, and innovative design that supports resiliency and inclusivity. Ultimately, this competition is an opportunity to think about how we can take steps to heal our relationship with the land and its original caretakers.
The winning team will secure the contract for the redesign, emphasizing the significance of architecture and the allied arts in societal well-being.
Juries play a vital role in the design competition process. They bring a diverse range of experience and expertise to the critical task of rigorously evaluating the submissions provided by each participating design team and ultimately determining which are the most deserving of recognition and the award of the contract to implement the design work. The highly qualified jury selected for this competition includes three landscape architects, one architect (and past President of the OAA), and a lieutenant governor appointee to the OAA Governing Council.
Jury Member, Sheila Boudreau, OALA, APALA, CSLA, RPP/OPPI, MCIP, Principal Landscape Architect + Planner at SpruceLab Inc.
Sheila Boudreau is the Principal Landscape Architect + Planner at SpruceLab Inc., an Indigenous and women-owned planning and landscape architecture firm with offices in Toronto, Hamilton, and Edmonton.
Boasting more than three decades of experience and possessing degrees in Landscape Architecture, Fine Art, and a Master of Arts in Planning, she established SpruceLab in 2020 with a focus on fostering collaboration, nature-based design, and community engagement. The firm aims to create innovative landscapes while also amplifying Indigenous voices and championing Indigenous employment opportunities, all while honouring Sheila's own Mi’kmaq heritage.
A dedicated member of various landscape architecture associations, such as the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA), Sheila actively contributes to shaping the industry. She is a member of the national Task Force on Housing and Climate, and previously advised on the development of the Climate Risk Initiative’s net-zero training module on governance for Engineers Canada.
Previously, Sheila was a sessional instructor teaching about green infrastructure and urban design at Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Toronto, and University of Waterloo. Currently, she is finalizing a book for Owlkids Books that will introduce children ages 8-12 to the world of green infrastructure.
The chosen jury is scheduled to convene in early June to review all submissions. Following their evaluation, they will award a preferred candidate with the contract to carry out the project. Additionally, two submissions will be recognized with honourable mentions.
Final submissions for the Landscape Design Competition, which are due by May 16, will be showcased anonymously at the OAA Headquarters during Doors Open Toronto 2024 on May 25 and 26, and continuing to June 21. Guided tours of the building interior will be offered daily during the Doors Open event, offering visitors a unique glimpse into net-zero design solutions.