Earlier this month, the OAA was thrilled to present Honorary Membership, one of the highest accolades it can bestow on someone outside of the profession, to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario: Her Honour, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell.
“As we look increasingly to the future, architects will prove vital to the planning and development of innovative and sustainable spaces in Ontario. Today, I was proud to accept an Honorary Membership from the Ontario Association of Architects,“ said Her Honour on receiving the distinction.
Her Honour has been a strong supporter of Ontario architecture through her words to the profession, sharing of content across multiple platforms, and a dedicated interest in promoting the socio-cultural value of Ontario architecture. OAA Past President Toon Dreessen led the nomination, which was overwhelmingly supported at the Annual General Meeting in May. He had first come to know Her Honour in 2015 when the OAA Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Design Excellence in Architecture was established to recognize projects considered by an expert jury to have shown excellence in creativity, context, sustainability, good business, and legacy.
OAA President Susan Speigel, Executive Director Kristi Doyle, and Website & Communications Administrator Tamara King presented a framed certificate on behalf of the Association.