RAIC announces 2016 Architectural Firm Award recipient | Royal Architectural Institute of Canada

RAIC announces 2016 Architectural Firm Award recipient

OTTAWA, March 11, 2016 – MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects (MJMA), a Toronto firm that specializes in community recreation and sports buildings, will receive the 2016 Architectural Firm Award of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC.)

MJMA has consistently achieved a very high quality of architecture and bold clarity throughout its large body of work,”said the five-member jury. “In addition to the spectacular spatial qualities, the architecture exhibits a clear problem-solving approach.

“The wellness approach to the designs was appreciated, contributing to the broader communities in which the projects are located,”the jury added.

Founded in 1988 by John MacLennan, Viktors Jaunkalns, FRAIC, and David Miller, FRAIC, the firm today has more than 50 professionals and is led by the five partners, Viktors Jaunkalns, David Miller, Andrew Filarski, Robert Allen and Ted Watson. In addition to architects, the team includes designers in landscape architecture, interior design and environmental graphic design.

The RAIC Architectural Firm Award recognizes the achievements of a firm for its quality of architecture, service to clients and innovations in practice. It also takes into account the firm’s contribution to architectural education and professional organizations, as well as public recognition.

The award will be presented at the RAIC Festival of Architecture which takes place in Nanaimo, BC from June 8 to 11.

“MJMA has developed an impressive body of work that demonstrates what can be achieved with everyday programs and budgets,”said RAIC President Allan Teramura, FRAIC. “They are to be commended for their commitment to the creation of vivid and engaging civic spaces accessible to everyone.”

Over 28 years, the firm has advanced the development of new forms of community hubs, combining diverse programs. The more than 70 completed projects include  sports and recreation centres, wellness programs, cultural facilities, libraries, and municipal and academic buildings.

Among them are the Branksome Hall Athletic and Wellness Centre in Toronto (2014), the Atlas Tube Multi-Use Recreation Centre at the University of British Columbia Aquatic Centre (2014), and the Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre in Edmonton (2012).

The firm has earned more than 40 national awards, including a Governor General’s Medal in Architecture in 1999 for Rotary Park Pool in Etobicoke, ON.

MJMA has been recognized internationally with a bronze medal from the International Olympics Committee for the Regent Park Aquatic Centre (2012) in Toronto. In this facility, their development of gender-neutral universal change rooms to address concerns of privacy, culture, and gender identity was a first in Canada.

MJMA partners are critics and lecturers at the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and Ryerson University, among other schools, and have served on professional juries, associations and community groups.

The jury:

  • Brian MacKay-Lyons, FRAIC, 2015 RAIC Gold Medalist, Halifax
  • David Clusiau, FRAIC, Senior Principle at NORR, Toronto
  • Ranjit Dhar PP/FRAIC, Past President of the RAIC and independent consultant, Toronto
  • Monica Adair, MRAIC, 2015 recipient of the RAIC Young Architect Award, Saint John
  • François Cardinal, 2015 recipient of the President’s Award for Media in Architecture, journalist at La Presse, Montreal

 

ABOUT THE RAIC

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada is the leading voice for excellence in the built environment in Canada, representing about 5,000 members. The RAIC advocates for excellence in the built environment, works to demonstrate how design enhances the quality of life and promotes responsible architecture in addressing important issues of society.