Awardees: Richard de la Riva, Affleck de la Riva
La Visitation-de-la-Bienheureuse-Vierge-Marie, Montréal, Québec
Award of Excellence
Affleck de la Riva architects carried out an extraordinary recreation of the original decorative schemes, beginning with numerous studies of the church interior to define the original decorative scheme which was defined by the 1830s and reached its peak development ca. 1920, before being altered and effaced in the 1950s. Historical and iconographic research was supplemented by analysis of existing finishes on site by the Centre de conservation du Quebec and contractor D.L. Heritage.
Cayuga Courthouse Restoration, Cayuga, Ontario
Award of Merit
Awardees: Tim Finch, Ed Van der Maarel, Chris Huntley, Sean Leigh, a+LINK Architecture
The courthouse restoration, consisting of masonry restoration, reconstruction using on-site mixed hot lime techniques, and reinforcement of structural concrete with carbon fibre sheets, focussed on maintaining as much of the original material as possible. The project addressed structural concerns in both masonry and concrete, while restoring the masonry to sound condition. Following detailed investigation, the project team carried out a project rigorous in all respects for the identity of the building while maintaining the courthouse and detention facility fully operational throughout.
Colonial Building Restoration
Award of Excellence
Awardees: Lori Le Mare, Gordon Pullar, Tricia Cook, Daniel Hill, Diane Mcgrath-Lokos, Catherine Mills, Ryan Van Dijk, Cesar Cordoba,
Lana Paiement, Lori Le Mare Studio
The Colonial Building Restoration project provided a thoughtful and detailed understanding and learning process to restore many decades of disrepair of the original decorative painting to the walls, trim, doors, paneling, windows, pillars, bases, capital, and ceiling ornamentation. With very few historic photographs to guide the restoration work, the artistic painting and gilder team embarked on an extensive body of heritage restoration work to recreate the finishes exactly as they looked like originally. Working through the Standards and Guidelines for the restoration work, the jury expressed “superb work all round – investigation, historical accuracy, and craft”, “a rigorous approach, particularly in terms of colours, to enhance and restore all the luster to this historic building while using contemporary techniques”, and “the craftsperson clearly demonstrated their craft and knowledge in their submission and provided clear guidance as to how they interpreted the Standards and Guidelines and used them in her decision-making process”.
“The Tower” Restoration, Atmospheric Environment Services Building, Toronto
Award of Excellence
Awardees: Sheldon Kennedy (Steven Burgess Architects), Gerry Zegerius (Tacoma Engineers Inc.)
Located in front of the federally designated Atmospheric Environment Services Building, “the Tower” (1971) by Ron Baird was sensitively restored by Stevens Burgess Architects Ltd. Leading the heritage team including the structural engineer, Tacoma Engineers and an art conservator, Maltby & Associates. It is the tallest metal sculpture in Canada, created as a large, kinetic, weathering steel sculpture meant to represent the elements of air, fire, and water. After over fifty years the Tower suffered from a lack of regular maintenance with many of the elements had been severely corroded due to weather exposure and water penetration at joints and openings. The conservation had to consider the artist’s original vision and the team needed to ensure the conservation approach and modifications made to improve the longevity of the piece would not compromise its aesthetic and artistic value. The collaborative approach of the team helped to mitigate the challenges associated with the restoration of an artwork at this monumental scale and the associated logistics and techniques required.
Conservation of Flight Stop, Toronto Eaton Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Award of Excellence
Awardees: Alicia Coutts, Toronto Art Restoration Inc. (TARI)
Toronto Art Restoration Inc. (TARI), was contracted by Cadillac Fairview to de-install, crate, transport, perform conservation treatments, and re-install Michael Snow’s, Flight Stop (1979); a mixed media architectural installation depicting a flock of sixty life-sized geese, hanging from the Eaton Centre ceiling. TARI assembled a team of highly qualified heritage tradespeople and art conservators. TARI’s treatment options were developed in consultation with the artist. A challenge to clean and restore after 40 years of hanging, they were dismantled and restored. If left untreated, it is likely that the artwork would have experienced irreversible damage.
Christ Church Cathedral: Building Conditions and Issues, Fredericton, New Brunswick
Award of Excellence
Awardees: Dr. Thomas Morison, Heritage Standing Inc.
The conservation-focused master plan was developed with multiple stakeholders in mind, ensuring a common point of understanding amongst the various conservation issues at play. In accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, HSI provided recommendations, estimated projected costs, and context to guide the Cathedral’s future actions. The project “demonstrates a rigorous methodology used by the team with the adherence to the principles of the Standards and Guidelines for the conservation of historic places.”
Cultural Heritage Landscape Study and Inventory, Township of Centre Wellington, Ontario
Award of Merit
Awardees: Rebecca Sciarra, Annie Veilleux, Mariana Iglesias, ASI
The Cultural Heritage Landscape and Inventory study was initiated to identify, evaluate, inventory, and map significant cultural heritage landscapes throughout the municipality. Through a process of historical research and analysis, community consultation, Indigenous engagement, and site assessment, the project identified 18 significant cultural heritage landscapes, providing Centre Wellington with a foundation for conservation that is rooted in the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places. “A methodical and rigorous work on the Cultural Heritage Landscapes which will allow this territory to enhance its cultural identity. This approach is carried and supported by politics with the support of the community, a fundamental aspect in the preservation and enhancement of the place.”
Waterworks Buildings, Smiths Falls, Ontario
Student Achievement Award
Awardees: Melissa Brady, Carleton University
In the words of the jury, Ms. Brady’s proposed design for the Waterworks Building is “a visually impactful adaptive reuse study that considered the needs of the community and carefully analyzed the heritage attributes of the structure, which evolved over time.”
A Pathway for Memories, Sydney Harbour Defense, Sydney, Nova Scotia
Student Achievement Award
Awardees: Emma Gagnon, Leandra Goettman, Marcus Van Vilet
The team’s design incorporated accessibility to the sites with a minimal intervention approach, and providing a strong understanding of the area’s cultural landscape attributes when developing their design. The project was a realistic and innovative design for a community in of attention to its at-risk cultural resources. Their proposed interpretive centre and museum would introduce a meaningful visitor experience and provide an expanded local public education program on the history of the Homefront in Canada’s Maritimes.
Dr. Christopher Andreae
Dr. Chritopher Andreae is a pioneer and consummate professional in Canada’s heritage conservation field. For fifty years he has dedicated himself to broadening the scope of protection and commemoration of historic places. A mentor, scholar, a teacher and dedicated conservationist, his contributions to CAHP and to heritage in Canada are indubitable. The Jury was unanimous in awarding him CAHP’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church Commemoration
Award of Excellence
Awardees: Seamus McGreal, Elizabeth Cushing, Carter Beaupre-McPhee, Regional Municipality of Halifax
The project is an important example of a creative application of the principles identified in the Standards and Guidelines to a heritage education and awareness project. It is exceptional for the team’s collaboration with African Nova Scotian communities to re-establish significant spiritual and cultural associations between people and a place. Interpretation, commemoration, and celebration of these associations were thoughtfully investigated and implemented both in the redesign of a pedestrian plaza and in the decision-making process. The projects overwhelming success included guidance from the Burra Charter. “This project is an excellent example of heritage professionals working with Descendant communities to bring to the forefront overlooked, marginalized, and often forgotten histories in urban centres. The project was thoughtfully designed with community input to celebrate the lost church while maintaining Descendant’s historical, spiritual, and emotional links to this important place.”
The 2023 award winners drew headlines from Canada’s news media across the country:
