For 55 years, Canadian Architect magazine has sponsored an annual national awards program recognizing projects in the design stage.
Starting four years ago, we’ve introduced a new component of the program: the Photo Awards of Excellence.
The Photo Awards recognizes the importance of architectural photography to the profession of architecture in Canada. Architectural photographs have the ability to convey powerful ideas about the composition of buildings, the ideas behind them, and the way that spaces are inhabited.
The inaugural winner of the Canadian Architect Photo Award of Excellence was Ema Peter, for her stunning image of Parq Vancouver (designed by ACDF in consortium with Architecture 49).
In 2019, doublespace photography claimed the Photo Award of Excellence for their masterfully backlit image of the Bahá’í Temple of South America (designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects). That year, two Photo Awards of Merit were also given to James Brittain – for his ravine view of Moriyama & Teshima’s Ontario Science Centre and for his image of the Penthouse unit at 5468796 architecture’s 62M.
In 2020, emerging architectural photographer Salina Kassam’s image of Massey Hall under renovation was the winner of our Canadian Architect Photo Award of Excellence. Three Photo Awards of Merit were also given out – for Wellington (concrete) by Lisa Stinner-Kun, La Maison Hatley by James Brittain and Espace Sud, Pavillon Lassonde by Félix Michaud.
The 2021 winners included an Award of Excellence for the photo L’actrice (The Actress) by Félix Michaud, and Awards of Merit for photos by Cindy Blažavić and Jacquline Young.
The photo competition is open to both commissioned photos as well as to non-commissioned works. Professional architectural photographers as well as non-professionals are welcome to enter.
The photo should be no more than two years old. It should depict a building in Canada—by any architect and from any time period. Alternatively, it may depict a building outside of Canada, but completed by a Canadian architect.
Jurors will consider the composition, creativity of approach, and overall aesthetics of the photo.
The deadline for submissions is September 12, 2022. There is a $75 CDN fee to enter. The winners will be published in a special issue of Canadian Architect magazine, and will receive framed award certificates.
You can read further information and frequently asked questions here and submit your entries to the Canadian Architect 2021 Photo Awards of Excellence here.
Canadian Architect’s December 2021 Awards of Excellence issue: