2008 Niagara Community Design Awards - Winners
This is the fourth year of the Design Awards. The objective of the Niagara Community Design Awards is to recognize and celebrate excellence in community design in the Niagara Region. This year's awards will continue to focus on projects that enhance the built environment, efficiently use land, and demonstrate creativity and vision.
Award Winners
Large Scale Project
This award recognizes an infill or redevelopment project that is larger in scale or nature that demonstrates excellence in design. This project creatively and effectively uses land, is complimentary to the existing surroundings, and intensifies and provides additional choice within the area.
2008 Award Winner: Lancaster Green Condominium Residences, St. Catharines
Nominated: Dave Swan, NNCC 164/Condominium President, Development Consultant: Daniel Romanko, Barr Associates
Designer: Mike Janoschak
Engineering: Glenn Barr, Barr Associates
Builder: Tony Woelfl, Erion Road Developments Ltd.
Nominator: Daniel Romanko, Barr Associates.
Since the location was a former site for construction of the Third Welland Canal, the bungalows were designed with extra deep foundations to ensure stability, but also with elevations that were comparable to the existing neighbourhood. Garages were set back from the front porches, and eye-level signage throughout makes the development more friendly to people. Through road realignment, the developers were able to keep a mature tree, establishing a "feature" and lending character to the development.
Adaptive Re-use Award
This award recognizes the re-use of an existing building or buildings, and possible intensification of a site. The primary feature of this project is the re-use of the former building(s) in a manner that demonstrates creativity, reintegrates the site into the community, and provides a mix of uses and choice into the surrounding neighbourhood.
2008 Award Winner: Real Estate Office, 336 Mary Street, Niagara on the Lake
Nominated/Nominator/Builder: Kevin O'Connor, KDS Building Company
Architect: David Parker, Parker Architects
Engineer: Jason Schooley, Upper Canada Consultants
Prior to renovation, the property at 336 Mary St. was home to a 50's style bungalow in a state of disrepair. A makeover consisting of a building addition and the creation of new office space, gallery entry and a spacious reception area has transformed this home into a fully functional real estate office. A rear parking area provides visitor accessibility without detracting from the façade. The outdoor space is enhanced by professional landscaping and a prominent water element, and the abundance of window space provides natural lighting helping to reduce energy consumption.
Brownfield
This category recognizes the revitalization of a former brownfield site into one that once again integrates with the fabric of the community. The Brownfield category differs from Adaptive Re-use, as the focus of this project involves site examination, any required remediation and redevelopment. The winning project demonstrates the smart growth principles through creativity, utilization of existing servicing, creation of a mix and/or intensification of uses, and integration with the surroundings.
2008 Honourable Mention: Stokes Community Village, St. Catharines
Nominated/Builder: Saulis Zemaitis, Goodwill Industries Niagara
Architect: Michael Mirynech, 2M Architects
Structural Engineering: Alicia Ha, Joseph T.K. Ha Engineering Inc.
Mechanical Engineering: Boris Brodsky, Pen Engineering Ltd.
Nominator : Eleanor Lancaster, Goodwill Industries Niagara
At the time of purchase by Goodwill Industries Niagara in 2004, the 50, 000 square foot Stokes Seeds building was a century-old, abandoned industrial building located on a brownfield site. This historic property has been cleaned up and converted to a multi-functional facility providing residential intensification, a Community and Youth Centre, and a variety of social and recreational programs and services. In addition to a massive clean-up of the property and building interior, the exterior façade and landscaping were redon, improved parking was made available, and a brand new community entrance have transformed the site and enhanced the neighbourhood.
Policy and Plans
The Policy and Plans Award recognizes the impact that a well written policy or plan incorporating Smart Growth principles can have on development in Niagara. This award recognizes an approved Official Plan, Neighbourhood/Secondary Plan, Design Guideline, Community Improvement Plan, or development plan that focuses on the smart growth principles such as a mix of uses, walkability, and compact development. Also deemed important to this award is an effective public consultation process.
2008 Award Winner: Queenston Secondary Plan, Niagara on the Lake
Nominated / Nominator: Stephen Bedford, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Consultant: Mark Reid, Urban Strategies Inc.
The Queenston Secondary Plan provides for and encourages a mix of land uses including various types of residential, village commercial (live-work built form), open space and community facilities. The Plan provides for compact building forms and housing types, some not previously available in Queenston. Providing more readily walkable neighbourhoods and maintaining an attractive community feel, are just a few more ways this plan leverages Smart Growth principles throughout.
Urban Design - Façade
The Urban Design - Façade Award is a new award created to recognize a development project that demonstrates excellence in design, specifically with regards to the façade redevelopment. Smart Growth principles emphasize the need for communities to foster distinction and attractiveness in architecture as community values. It is from this desire to support beauty through architecture that this award was created this year and will be handed out this year for the first time.
2008 Award Winner: 156 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines
Nominated/Nominator: Jodie Godwin, Owner
Architect: Dave Parker, Parker Architects Inc.
Engineer: Richard Wolfe, Rhocan Engineering Associates Ltd.
Specialist Consultant: Boris Brodsky, Pen Engineering
Builder: Paul Fluri, Paul Fluri Renovations
A redevelopment of an existing two storey 19th century retail/residential building, this entry was chosen by the committee for the rejuvenation of the exterior façade while simultaneously reconstructing the interior to meet 21st century standards and appeal. In an effort to also mix land uses, a new at-grade access was designed resulting in a more attractive and private entry for the upper unit. The apartment was completely stripped and reconstructed to the same standards as the main floor office space and insulation on all levels was increased to improve energy efficiency.
Urban Design Award
This award recognizes excellence in design of the spaces between the places. This category may include public or private space, façade improvements, parking lots, parks, public art in public places, or a landscaping treatment that effectively integrates with the surrounding buildings, is accessible, and contributes to the beautification and use of the site.
2008 Award Winner: Erie Beach Trail, Fort Erie
Nominated/Nominator: Signe Hansen, Town of Fort Erie
Project Engineer: Paul Smeltzer, Philips Engineering Ltd.
Landscape Architect: Ian Dance, ENVision - The Hough Group
Archaeologist: Ron Williamson, Archaeological Services Inc.
Coastal Engineer: Mark Kolberg, Baird & Associates
Geotechnical Engineer: Garry Muckle, Terraprobe
General Contractor: Terry Tykolis, Stevensville Lawn Service
Upgrades to an adjacent Town Park, the re-creation of a historical concrete waterfront promenade, the installation of a wooden boardwalk along the beach front, the reuse of remnants of original park features and the installation of interpretive signage reflecting upon the natural, cultural and historical heritage of the site all demonstrate exactly what makes the Erie Beach portion of the Fort Erie Friendship Trail a strong example of park design in Niagara.
Awards of Distinction
The Award of Distinction recognizes projects that, though may not fit exactly into the definition for any one category, set a strong example for the potential of development and design here in Niagara. The works or deeds attributed to this person, group or project can be used as examples for others and benefit not only a specific area, but the larger Niagara community. For these reasons, two awards of distinction will be awarded in 2008.
2008 Award Winner: Centre for Conservation at Ball's Falls, Lincoln
Nominated/Nominator: Darcy Baker and Tony D'Amario, N.P.C.A.
Architect: Greg A. Redden, Macdonald Zuberec Ensslen Architects Inc.
Structural Engineering: Thomas Yung, Lee, Yung & Associates
LEED Engineering: Richard Lay, Enermodal Engineering
Builder: Dan Ruzgys, Merit Contractors Niagara
The Centre is intended to serve as an entry point to the 20 Valley World Biosphere Reserve, and building size, orientation and materials were all inspired by the existing site. Some of the benefits the Centre provides include a learning/teaching tool for the public, reduced energy and water consumption, and heightened profit due to increased visitors to the Ball's Falls Conservation Area. The design principles used to develop this project meet a multitude of the criteria of LEED mandated guidelines for sustainable design, and the project is currently being targeted to achieve Gold LEED Certification.
2008 Award Winner: Southbrook Vineyards, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Nominated: Bill & Marilyn Redelmeir Southbrook Vineyards.
Architect: Jack Diamond, Martin Davidson & Walton Chan, Diamond and Schmitt Architects
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: Clive Lacey, Crossey Engineering
Structural Engineer: David Bowick, Blackwell Bowick
Civil Engineer: John Allin, MMM Group
LEED Consultants: Braden Kurczak, Enermodal
Landscape Consultant: John Hillier, du Toit Allsopp Hillier
Lighting Consultant: Martin Conboy, Martin Conboy Lighting Design
Food Services Consultant: John Radchenko, Van Velzen & Radchenko
Builder: Jean St. Pierre, Merit Contractors
Nominator: Jack Diamond, Diamond and Schmitt Architects
Southbrook Vineyards is located on a 75-acre estate in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The distinctive blue wall marks the entrance of the winery with a bridge that leads across a reflecting pond to the front door. Inside, the floor-to-ceiling glass façade affords visitors panoramic views of the vineyards, while the pavilion's interior wall is used for wine display, storage, and a wine library. In addition, full-height glass vitrines holding barrels of ageing wine are used to define the spaces within the building. The elongated structure of the building allows for intensification of the site's agricultural use. The use of reflective materials on both the roof and parking lot reduce the heat island effect, and also includes a three-tiered storm-water management plan that includes a bio-swale add to the unique design of this operation.
Congratulations to all of the 2008 Niagara Community Design Award Winners.
Awards Review Committee:
Richard Baker - Retired, Niagara Society of Architects
Glenn Barr - President, Barr Associates
Dr. Hugh Gayler - Professor, Brock University
John Gittings - Partner, Philbrick and Gittings Construction Services Inc.
Douglas McNaughton - Commercial Sales Rep., Royal LePage Niagara Real Estate Centre
Bryan Morris - Planner, City of St. Catharines
Barbara Wiens - Planner, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Advisor:
Mark Brickell - Vice-President of Smart Growth Initiatives, Niagara Economic Development Corporation
Co-ordinator:
Terri Donia - Planner, Niagara Region Planning Department
