The OAA is excited to announce the theme of the SHIFT2023 Challenge: “Health and Architecture.”

As the world strives to emerge from a global pandemic, and Canada reflects on its current approaches to long-term care and other health spaces, architecture’s impacts on human wellbeing—negative and positive—have taken centre stage. From considering indoor environmental effects on bodies and minds to designing truly inclusive, accessible spaces, what role does the architecture profession play in supporting human health, both in Ontario and around the world?

The SHIFT2023 Challenge asks the profession to explore the intersection of architecture and human health, and examine how innovative ideas could improve happiness and well-being. At scales ranging from a room to a building to an entire city (or beyond), how can new architectural approaches offer better outcomes?

SHIFT is an aspirational, biennial program that shows the public the distinct contribution the architecture profession brings to addressing key societal issues. On the SHIFT website, you can see previous selections from SHIFT2019 (Infrastructure) and SHIFT2021 (Resiliency), as well find related videos on the OAA’s YouTube Channel.

More information about the theme, the requirements, and the January submission deadline will be shared next month.