The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, has been named a winner of the 2026 Design Excellence Award by the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA).
Selected by an esteemed panel of design experts, the project was recognized among 10 award-winning projects chosen from 96 submissions, following a rigorous evaluation process that assessed creativity, contextual response, sustainability, good design/business, and long-term legacy.
Designed by Bucholz McEvoy Architects in collaboration with ZAS Architects Inc., the TRCA Headquarters stands as a demonstrator project for sustainable development within Toronto’s ravine system, over which TRCA holds long-term stewardship. Deeply embedded in its natural setting, the building reinforces a strong sense of place and time while supporting TRCA’s mission to conserve, restore, and manage natural resources.
Crafted in mass timber, the building combines generous daylight access, natural ventilation, and a finely tuned response to its microclimatic context. Renewable energy strategies and passive environmental design create a healthy, human-centred workplace, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and public engagement.
The award recognizes the project’s exemplary integration of architecture, environmental performance, and landscape — demonstrating how sustainable design can meaningfully reinforce both ecological and organizational values.
Press release and all 10 selected winners here >