As the regulatory body governing architecture in Ontario, the OAA plays a pivotal role in promoting the importance of innovative design and sustainable architecture in building resilient and vibrant communities.
Photograph of physical model projecting the year, 20245's sapling growth of Team Elms, 4887 Saplings submitted for the OAA Landscape Design Competition
In March 2024, the OAA launched its Landscape Design Competition to reimagine the grounds of its Toronto headquarters into a more sustainable, accessible, artful, and welcoming space. With architect Joe Lobko working in a professional advisor role, the anonymous competition focused on taking meaningful steps toward healing our relationship with the land and its original caretakers, all while celebrating the natural beauty of the adjacent Don River watershed context, both in terms of scenery and biodiversity.
The competition required that each team included a full member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) and a civil engineer. Membership in the OAA, however, was not a requirement for entry. As anonymity for participants was crucial for ensuring fairness, the 19 interdisciplinary teams were assigned a “tree” name by Lobko and kept confidential from the jury and OAA.
Plant selection and growth projection by Team Elms, 4887 Saplings submitted for the OAA Landscape Design Competition
Receiving an honourable mention from the jury was Team Elm for their project "4887 Saplings.” After the competition, this team was revealed to be led by Kevin Weiss of Weiss Architecture & Urbanism Ltd., with landscape architect Robert Wright and civil engineer David Sharp of Husson Engineering + Management.
The project drew inspiration from Dr. Akira Miyawaki's innovative afforestation techniques. The proposal involved the dense planting of 4,887 saplings, spaced 60 centimeters apart, across the OAA’s headquarters. The diverse array of native trees aimed to recreate the resilience and biodiversity of the natural forests that once thrived in the Don River ravine.
Site plan by Team Elms, 4887 Saplings submission for the OAA Landscape Design Competition
To learn more about the other two honourable mentions, as well as the winning proposal, click here.
The OAA Landscape Design Competition was an extension of the Association’s Renew + Refresh initiative for its Headquarters, and part of a commitment to climate action.