The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), which regulates the practice of architecture to protect the public interest, held its 2026 Conference in the Waterloo Region from May 13 to 15, drawing more than 700 delegates for three days of professional development, discussion, and celebration. The flagship event brought together members of the architecture profession, allied industries, and other guests to examine how collaboration supports strong design outcomes and helps address shared challenges of the present and future across the built environment.
As one of Canada’s leading hubs for technology and innovation, and home to one of the province’s five schools of architecture, the Waterloo Region provided a fitting backdrop for this year’s theme, Collaboration Powering Innovation, which focused on teamwork in addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, housing shortages, and economic uncertainty. Over three days, attendees took part in classroom education sessions at Bingemans Conference Centre in Kitchener, led by international and local experts, alongside participating in experiential learning opportunities at locations throughout the Waterloo Region.
Plenaries explored topics such as academic spaces as catalysts for innovation, Indigenous collaboration within Waterloo Regional Health Network projects, and examples of local adaptive reuse. Other sessions delved into timely topics from housing and design catalogues to other issues shaping current practice.
The Conference also included a recognition event at Bingemans for 2026 OAA Service Award winners, as well as the Association’s biennial Celebration of Excellence, held at Tapestry Hall in Cambridge, where the Association recognized outstanding projects, practices, and individuals. In addition to the previously announced winners, the Celebration of Excellence also feted three additional outstanding projects by Ontario architecture practices.
Ken Fukushima Architecture in association with David Fujiwara Architect received the People’s Choice Award for Toronto Public Library’s Bridlewood Branch, which was selected by members of the public as their favourite among the Design Excellence winners during a two-week online voting period. This adaptive reuse project transforms a former commercial space into a vibrant library, blending sustainable design, programmable solar technology, and community-inspired interiors to set a new standard for inclusive neighbourhood spaces.
The Michael V. and Wanda Plachta Award was presented to LGA Architectural Partners Ltd. for Ulster House. This accolade celebrates architectural excellence in Ontario projects costing no more than $8 million. Set on a former single-family lot in Toronto, Ulster House reimagines urban living with five compact homes, blending thoughtful infill design, affordability, sustainability, and neighbourhood-sensitive density.
Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Design Excellence in Architecture went to Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc. (prime consultant and landscape architect) and Patkau Architects Inc. (architect) for Ottawa’s Kìwekì Point. With its transformative public landscape, Kìwekì Point reimagines a limestone bluff in Ottawa, blending architecture, biodiversity, and Algonquin storytelling to create an inclusive waterfront destination and a powerful beacon of reconciliation.
To present the biennial award, which recognizes the best completed project constructed in the province within the past six years, the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, was in attendance to greet the profession.
“Architecture is one of the few art forms we experience every day,” she said in her address. “The spaces you create influence how we live together. They can foster belonging, wellness, and learning. They can strengthen our communities.”
The strong attendance at this year’s Conference reflected continued engagement across Ontario’s architecture community. Through its plenaries, educational programming, awards presentations, and special events, the 2026 OAA Conference highlighted the value of collaboration in advancing design excellence to serve the public interest. More highlights, videos, and photo galleries will be posted on the OAA Website.