Winners: Prairie Wood Design Awards

The winners of the Prairie Wood Design Awards were announced at the Awards Gala on November 27. Here are the winning projects.

Category: Commercial & Institutional

Project: Grizzly Paw Brewery

Location: Canmore, Alberta

Architect: Lloyd R McLean Architect with russell and russell design studios

Engineer: ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd.

The outline of this building mimics the stunning mountainous landscape of Canmore. A perfect fit for this environment.

Photo credit: Steve Nagy Photography

Category: Municipal

Project: Edmonton Valley Zoo Arctic Shores Exhibit

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Architect and Engineer: Group2 Architecture Interior Design Ltd.

This simple yet striking building fits perfectly into an Arctic exhibit.

Photo credit: Jim Dobie Photography

Category: Recreational

Project: The Salvation Army, Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Architect: Richard Prins Architect + Affinity Architecture

Engineer: Wolfrom Engineering Ltd.

This project is a great example of how thoughtful architecture can offer both a functional and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere for individuals who are often under-served.

Photo credit: Gerry Kopelow/photographics Inc.

Category: Interior Wood Showcase

Project: Mid Century Canadiana Condo Renovation

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Architect: Sheri Krug Designs

The designer of this project found multiple uses for wood in this condo renovation, giving the space a feel that is both modern and traditional.

Photo credit: Joshua Kehler Photography

Category: Residential

Project: Prairie Lake Retreat

Location: St. Brieux, Saskatchewan

Architect: Neale Staniszkis Doll Adams Architects

This design demonstrates how a small space can be made to feel open and comfortable. Perfect for a lake retreat.

Photo credit: Brian Dust

The Jury chose three projects to receive the Jury’s Selections Award this year.

Category: Jury’s Selections

Project: Fiskaoist

Location: Gimli, Manitoba

Architect and Engineer: work/shop

Fiskaoist (Icelandic for “fish hut”) is a semi-covered dining area, located in a narrow and formerly unused space between two buildings. In addition to utilizing otherwise wasted space, this structure was made entirely of reclaimed wood, making its environmental footprint very small. 

Photo credit: Jacqueline Young 

Category: Jury’s Selections

Project: Foxtail Café

Location: Onanole, Manitoba

Architect: Peter Sampson Architecture Studio Inc.

Engineer: Wolfrom Engineering Ltd.

Wood plays several roles for this cafe: design, structural frame, furniture, fuel, and finish. It offers a rustic dining experience for visitors and locals in this small community. 

Photo credit: Mathew Piller 

Category: Jury’s Selections

Project: Beverly Heights House

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Architect: Manasc Isaac Architects Ltd.

Engineer: Five Star Engineering Ltd.

Manasc Isaac Architects Ltd. is known for designing sustainable buildings, and this building does not fall short! This house uses solar panels to generate much of the house’s power. It is built with mountain pine beetle killed wood and reclaimed wood from a gymnasium floor, and uses several other innovative design strategies which make this a very environmentally conscious design.

Photo credit: Shafraaz Kaba

These beautiful projects would not be possible without the engineers who worked with the designers to bring these projects to completion. This year, the Engineer Wood Advocate Award went to ISL Engineering and Land Services for the Grizzly Paw Brewery (pictured at top).

Congratulations to all the nominees and award winners of the 2013 Prairie Wood Design Awards. I can’t wait to see next year’s nominees!