Winning projects in the 2021 Prix d’excellence en architecture unveiled

The Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ)  unveiled the 11 winners of its Prix d’excellence en architecture for 2021 during an online gala to which members of the architecture community and the general public were invited.

The Grand Prix d’excellence en architecture 2021 was awarded to the firms Lemay and Atelier 21 for their restoration of the building envelope of the Grand Théâtre in Québec City. The iconic building in the provincial capital, designed by architect Victor Prus and inaugurated in 1971, required major work to preserve its exterior, which features a spectacular mural by sculptor Jordi Bonet. The jury noted that with the addition of a new, fully transparent envelope, the longevity of this major modernist work is assured.

“Architectural quality results from a thorough, disciplined approach that, among other things, reconciles the needs of users and the wider community by offering functional, sustainable solutions,” says OAQ president Pierre Corriveau. “The Prix d’excellence en architecture are an opportunity to celebrate these multiple dimensions of quality and the architects who contribute to them, whether through their built achievements or their commitment to the public sphere. It’s exciting to see how architecture blossoms in our communities and contributes to enhancing the value and vitality of our living environments,” he adds.

The jury for the 2021 awards was chaired by architect Jean-Pierre Crousse (Barclay&Crousse Architecture, Paris and Lima) and comprised Christiane Germain, co-president of Germain Hotels, architects Marc Blouin (Blouin Orzes architectes) and Kim Pariseau (APPAREIL Architecture), as well as Prof. Pedro Ressano Garcia (Ressano Garcia Arquitectos, Lisbon) of the Université Laval School of Architecture.

Winners of the 2021 Prix d’excellence en architecture, by category

Grand prix d’excellence and Prix du public (People’s Choice)

Project: Building envelope restoration, Grand Théâtre de Québec

Design: Lemay/Atelier 21

Client: Grand Théâtre de Québec

Location: Québec City

Photos: Stéphane Groleau

Cultural Building

Project: Pôle culturel de Chambly

Design: Atelier TAG and Jodoin Lamarre Pratte architectes in consortium

Client: Ville de Chambly

Location: Chambly

Photos: Adrien Williams/CS Design

Public Institutional Building

Project: Visitor centre, Base de plein air de Sainte-Foy

Design: Patriarche

Client: Ville de Québec

Location: Borough of Sainte-Foy, Québec City

Photos: Stéphane Groleau

Commercial/Industrial Building

Project: Förena Cité thermale

Design: Blouin Tardif Architectes

Client: Groupe SkySpa

Location: Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville

Photos: Raphaël Thibodeau

Multi-Unit Residential Building/Complex

Project: Saint-Michel Housing

Design: SBTA Inc.

Client: Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal

Location: Borough of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, Montréal

Photos: James Brittain

Single-Family Residential Building, Urban Setting

Project: La Doyenne

Design: _naturehumaine

Client: Nicolas Crowley

Location: Borough of Plateau-Mont-Royal, Montréal

Photos: Raphaël Thibodeau

Single-Family Residential Building, Natural Setting (2 winners)

Project: hinterhouse

Design: Ménard Dworkind architecture & design

Client: hintercompany

Location: La Conception

Photos: David Dworkind and Alex Lesage

Project: Les blocs de bois

Design: Yiacouvakis Hamelin architectes_ yh2

Location: Lac Memphrémagog

Photos: Maxime Brouillet

Interior Design

Project: LightSpeed, Phase 3

Design: ACDF Architecture

Client: LightSpeed POS Inc.

Location: Montréal

Photos: Maxime Brouillet

Heritage Enhancement

Project: Verdun Auditorium

Design: Les architectes FABG

Client: City of Montréal, Borough of Verdun

Location: Borough of Verdun, Montréal

Photos: Steve Montpetit

Uncategorized Work

Project: Skating rink, Parc des Saphirs

Design: ABCP architecture

Client: City of Boischatel

Location: Boischatel

Photos: Stéphane Groleau

About the Prix d’excellence en architecture

Awarded since 1978 by the Ordre des architectes du Québec, the Prix d’excellence en architecture serve to recognize and highlight achievements by its members. By inviting the public to vote and by rewarding exemplary architectural achievements, the OAQ helps raise public awareness of quality in architecture. The prizes, formerly awarded once every two years, have been presented annually since 2019.

About the Ordre des architectes du Québec

The Ordre des architectes du Québec is a professional order; as such, its mission is to ensure the protection of the public. To that end, it controls admission to the title of architect and the right to practice the profession in Quebec. As part of its mandate, the Order takes an interest in any issue that is of concern to the profession or that may influence the quality of architecture and the built environment. The Order currently has more than 4,200 members and some 1,200 intern architects.