Earlier this month, the OAA announced it would soon launch an anonymous, juried Landscape Design Competition for the ground of its Toronto Headquarters. (You can read the initial press release here.) The OAA Building Committee and Association staff continue to work with its Professional Advisor, architect Joe Lobko, on details for the competition, which is on track for its official launch on Wednesday, March 20.

This article looks at how eligible teams can register for the opportunity, as well as provides more information on the program’s goals, jurying, and general timelines.

Eligibility and Team Registration

The Landscape Design Competition is open to teams led by a licensed member of the OAA or a Full Member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) who is able to conduct the work through a Certificate of Practice or landscape architecture firm. All participating teams must include an OALA landscape architect and a civil engineer. Others may be part of the team as desired. Registration is required by March 22, 4:00 pm. You can register your team by clicking this link.

Official Launch Webinar

All eligible registered teams will be invited to attend the official launch webinar on March 20. OAA President Settimo Vilardi and Vice President & Building Committee Chair Lara McKendrick will share the OAA’s ambition for this exciting project. Joe Lobko will review specific details of the Project Brief, as well as technical and historic information about the site on which the OAA Headquarters is situated.

The session is open to anyone interested in hearing more about the project. For OAA members, it is also eligible for one hour of self-directed learning under the Continuing Education Program. While there is no cost to attend, registration is required.

Technical Review Advisory team

The Landscape Design Competition is supported by a Technical Review Advisory team comprising:

• Sibylle von Knobloch, OALA, CSLA (senior landscape architect with O2 Planning + Design);
• Steve Hollingworth, P.Eng. (civil engineer and director of water resources with TYLin); and
• Tom Ingersoll (cost consultant with Ingersoll & Associates Inc.)

Jury

Anonymous submissions will be reviewed by a panel of esteemed jurors comprising:

• Chair Susan Speigel, BA, B.Arch., (EQ. M.Arch), OAA, FRAIC (architect with SSA Studio and OAA Vice President);
• Sheila Boudreau, OALA, APALA, CSLA, RPP/OPPI, MCIP (landscape architect with SpruceLab)
• Michelle Longlade (Lieutenant Governor-appointed member of the OAA’s governing Council);
• Marc Ryan, OALA (landscape architect with Public Work); and
• Liz Wreford, B.Env., MALA, OALA, SALA, AALA, CSLA (landscape architect with Public City).

Competition Prize

The winning design will be awarded a $20,000 prize and be selected to lead the landscape redesign project. Two honourable mentions will also be selected with an award of $5,000 each.

Budget

OAA Council has approved an overall budget of $2 million to complete the project, including both consultant and construction costs as well as contingencies. The consultant fee will represent 15% of construction value.

Competition Schedule