The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and the Canada Council for the Arts are inviting architects to submit projects for the 2024 Governor General’s Medals in Architecture. The key metrics of Energy Use Intensity (EUI) and Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI) are mandatory starting with the 2024 submission cycle, and submission fees are now tiered according to construction cost.
The objective of the Governor General’s Medals in Architecture is to recognize and celebrate outstanding design in recently completed built projects of any size, type and geographical location by Canadian architects. The competition continues a tradition initiated by the Massey Medals in 1950, providing an important source of understanding of the nature of Canadian architecture and the regional, cultural, and historic forces expressed in the built environment. Outstanding design considers exemplary approaches to sustainability, and the support and advancement of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Eligible projects can be built anywhere in the world, and must be completed within the past seven (7) years from the deadline for submission. The project’s lead design architect or team of architects must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada and licensed/registered with a Canadian Provincial or Territorial Jurisdiction.
The competition will result in the awarding of up to 12 Governor General’s Medals in Architecture.
The 2024 edition of this program has been revamped this season to align with the core values of both organizations. Changes include an update to the selection criteria. According to the terms of reference, medals are awarded for excellence in architecture, and all of the following criteria will be used in the assessment by the jury:
- Shows an innovative vision and conceptual clarity in terms of spatial organization, scale, form, and adaptability;
- Responds to and enhances the site, local context, and public realm, and promotes healthy and resilient communities;
- Provides for meaningful experience and social and cultural value, is accessible to various and diverse groups, and demonstrates positive outcomes with users and the client;
- Demonstrates leadership in sustainability, including approaches at all scales that improve ecological health, address biodiversity and climate action, and use resources and energy responsibly;
- Shows that the selection and use of materials and building systems (including structure, assemblies, etc.) is appropriate and consistent with the overall design vision and sustainability goals.
The key metrics of Energy Use Intensity (EUI) and Thermal Energy Demand Intensity (TEDI) are mandatory starting with the 2024 submission cycle. Entrants must provide EUI and TEDI metrics based on a completed energy model, and verification that the built project fulfills the key criteria of the model. Alternatively, these metrics may be calculated based on a minimum of six months of representative utility bills.
The submission fees have also been adjusted as an equity measure to reflect the resources of firms working on projects of different sizes. The submission fees are now based on project construction cost:
Under $2.5 million: $755.00 ($355.00 for RAIC members)
$2.5 million – $5 million: $975.00 ($575.00 for RAIC members)
$5 million – 100 million: $1315.00 ($915.00 for RAIC members)
$100 million + : $1730.00 ($1330.00 for RAIC members)
The deadline for project submissions is December 7, 2023, at 10:00 p.m. ET.
For additional details about the Terms of Reference, updated eligibility criteria, submission requirements, and a list of previous awardees, please visit the Governor General’s Medals in Architecture page on the RAIC website.