Address: 221 Portsmouth Avenue

Category: New Construction (Industrial, Commercial & Institutional)

Owner(s): Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Public Health

Designer(s): Shoalts & Zaback Architects Ltd.

Project Description: The goals of this project were to provide appropriate workspaces, and use the architecture to explicitly express the essential role of Public Health in the community.

The Health Unit is organized into two main divisions: Health Promotion and Health Protection. The architecture expresses their distinct and overlapping responsibilities as two and three storey wings, clad in both Kingston limestone and red brick, which are grouped around a south-facing courtyard.

Some of the sustainable design features of the building include: equal access to fresh air for all users through operable windows; a high performance building envelope; sun shading on the west and south facades allowing solar gain in winter months and shading in the summer season; in-floor radiant heating; daylight to 90% of the occupied floor plate; and promoting fitness by offering an exercise facility with showers for staff.

Jury's Comments: The new KFL&A Public Health Building is a well-detailed project that was well executed. The use of different materials, and the composition of the various elements, assists in reducing the scale of the project, allowing it to complement the buildings on adjacent sites. The interior atrium is a very attractive and inviting space, particularly with the amount of natural light that it receives. The building's design helps to communicate various aspects of health protection and promotion — a key component of a sustainable and livable city.

Address: Queen's University, 45 Union Street

Category: New Construction (Industrial, Commercial & Institutional)

Owner(s): Queen's University

Designer(s): Bregman & Hamann Architects

Project Description: The intent of Beamish-Munro Hall is to allow students from different programs to experience interdisciplinary project collaboration to mirror current engineering trends. Beamish-Munro Hall is also called the Integrated Learning Centre (ILC) because the building is "live". Students can see real time changes in the building and understand in a more practical way how a building functions and how occupants interact with it.

Beamish-Munro Hall has several "green" features: a 20kW solar panel system; a three- storey "Biowall" that removes CO2 and volatile organic compounds; and lights that are monitored and controlled by computers, and light sensors and motion detectors, which can be monitored in real-time.

Jury's Comments: Beamish-Munro Hall at Queen's University is a well-designed, pleasant building, which is relatively low and very compact in form. This form of development is well-suited to the small corner lot that the building is located on, and enhances the streetscape of Union Street. The green building features and components of the building are very well executed, and the design of the building allows a great deal of natural light into the interior spaces. The design and construction of the building, which leaves certain structural and operational components visible, is also a great educational tool for students and the public.

Address: St. Lawrence College, 100 Portsmouth Avenue

Category: New Construction (Industrial, Commercial & Institutional)

Owner(s): St. Lawrence College

Designer(s): Shoalts & Zaback Architects Ltd., Diamond & Schmitt Architects Inc.

Project Description: This multi-phased project has completely transformed and revitalized the Kingston Campus of St. Lawrence College. The new Academic Link Building connects the original campus building on Country Club Drive to the main college building on Portsmouth Avenue. This building creates an interior street that connects all of the academic buildings into one accessible place.

The program for the redeveloped campus linked all of the facilities into an open, inviting and interactive series of spaces. The new building is complex and interesting, yet clear and simple to use. It provides new program spaces and serves as an important interior street for orientation, social interaction and communal space. Lit by changing natural light, it provides the opportunity for spontaneous and informal exchanges between the members of the college, helping to foster and build a sense of community.

Jury's Comments: The Academic Link Building at St. Lawrence College represents an innovative solution to a design problem of the past. The new structure links together a variety of spaces that were originally constructed as individual buildings at different times in the history of the campus. The interior of the structure contains a diversity of spaces, providing excellent opportunities for intellectual and social interaction, which helps to build a sense of unity among the campus buildings and its users. The rich palette of materials chosen for the interior sets the College apart from other community colleges.

Address: 1144 Trailhead Place

Category: New Construction (Residential)

Owner(s): S. Croswell & J. Deakin

Designer(s): Susan Croswell, OAA, MRAIC

Project Description: The motivation to build this home came from an interest in the "slow home movement". This international movement provides design focused information to empower the individual to improve the quality of where and how they live. This was an opportunity to create an unique and modern living space, using materials, textures, and colours that complement the natural surroundings.

The placement of the house and the detached garage maximize contact with the natural environment and create beautiful and natural vistas from the street to the conservation area. The project was also guided by LEED principles, including: a smaller building footprint; green products, such as bamboo flooring, recycled steel, and low emitting paints; pea gravel driveway and lots of green space; strategically placed windows to optimize the use of solar energy; and energy efficient lighting and appliances.

Jury's Comments: The residence at 1144 Trailhead Place is an innovative, creative, and contemporary approach to residential design that distinguishes itself without upsetting the equilibrium of the neighbourhood. The colours and materials were well chosen, and help to integrate the building into the neighbourhood. The public face of the building is oriented to the street, while many of the private spaces within, and the majority of windows, are oriented to the adjacent conservation area. The structure has been efficiently designed, and is to be commended for its application of green building materials and principles.

Address: Queen's University, 23 Lower Albert Street & 194 Stuart Street

Category: New Construction (Residential)

Owner(s): Queen's University

Designer(s): Shoalts & Zaback Architects Ltd., Diamond & Schmitt Architects Inc.

Project Description: The project provides 585 student rooms on two adjacent sites. Leggett Hall is organized around two exterior courtyards and a central fireplace lounge. Watts Hall is located to create a sheltered courtyard adjacent to Chernoff Hall. The massing of Leggett Hall was revised to step down from 5 storeys on Stuart Street to 3 storeys on King Street in order to address the neighbours' concerns about the height adjacent to their backyards and to maximize natural light into the courtyards.

The buildings are designed to look modern but sympathetic to the historic fabric of the campus. The buildings are clad in limestone and trimmed with vertical elements that are a contemporary reference to the collegiate gothic architecture of the University.

Jury's Comments: The new residence buildings constructed by Queen's University - Watts Hall & Leggett Hall - are well designed and executed. The attention to the scale and the use of the buildings to form outdoor spaces is appropriate to the campus. The interior spaces are very attractive and inviting, with visual connections to the outdoor spaces. The buildings are innovative and modern, but also strive to be in keeping with, and enhance, the rich heritage of the existing campus. Queen's University should be commended for the high-level of design they are applying to their residential spaces.

Address: 44 Princess Street

Category: Renovation (Industrial, Commercial & Institutional)

Owner(s): Zoe Yanovsky

Designer(s): M&R Architects Inc. (formerly Mill & Ross Architects Inc.)

Project Description: Originally built as a commercial bank in 1833, this building has been home to many uses, including offices for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, an insurance company, and a fast food restaurant. In 2003, Rose and Zal Yanovsky assumed ownership and once again transformed the building, this time into a bakery, gourmet shop and a bistro. It is a blend of old and new and of form and function, and the retention of an important heritage structure in Kingston's Central Business District.

The project integrates the visual and culinary arts with architecture in a very visible way. The mass of the new interior stairwell on the east wall sets the tone with a large stained glass art piece and a painting of Zal's father, a butcher, hangs above the delicatessen counter. Both old and new architectural materials are highlighted instead of hidden, such as the limestone walls, and much of the wall space acts as an art gallery for the works of local artists.

Jury's Comments: Prior to the renovation, the structure at 44 Princess Street was in poor condition as a heritage building, and was a challenge to save. The renovation has succeeded in preserving the building, including making more compatible an existing addition on the lower front of the building. Now blending in with the rest of the building, the addition helps to maintain the pedestrian activity along the sidewalk. The choice of colours on the exterior of the building is subtle and appropriate. Pan Chancho has decidedly enhanced the visual appearance and commercial viability of this part of the City's main street.

Address: Queen's University, 143 Union Street

Category: Renovation (Industrial, Commercial & Institutional)

Owner(s): Queen's University

Designer(s): The Ventin Group Ltd., Architects

Project Description: Goodes Hall, the new home of Queen's School of Business, combines an exquisitely restored Victorian schoolhouse with a bold new design and construction. Goodes Hall combines the history of Victoria School with the contemporary design, architecture and cutting-edge learning tools of a modern business school.

Numerous historical elements of Victoria School have been preserved and incorporated into Goodes Hall. For example, plaques and room signage recognizing the building's donors have been custom-carved from the original slate blackboards that were first installed in Victoria School in the 1890's. Many other original architectural details have been preserved and refinished, such as the grand maple staircase, maple wainscoting and tin ceilings, and the school's original exterior doors have been preserved as a ceremonial entrance to the building.

Jury's Comments: The addition onto the original Victoria School is a successful joining of modern architecture with an older building. The addition complements the original school, and doesn't detract from it. The Victorian building is in the forefront, while the addition is recessed back. This allows the original structure to stand out. The use of brick on the colonnade of the addition serves as a link between it and the original structure. The overall development uses good quality materials, and the interior spaces, such as the atrium, are very pleasant and inviting.

Address: 440 King Street West

Category: Historic Preservation & Restoration

Owner(s): Correctional Service of Canada

Designer(s): NORR Limited, Architects and Engineers

Project Description: This dramatic yellow stucco country villa was built in 1837-1838. It is a "classified federal heritage building" associated with numerous prominent Kingston families and also once served as a military hospital. The structure is currently serving as regional offices for the Correctional Service of Canada.

In 1842, and again in 1909, additions were made that were sensitive to the building's original architecture. In the 1940s, a "temporary" three-storey wood frame structure (annex) was added that detracted considerably from the appearance of the home. The current restoration involved the removal of the annex to reveal the original south façade as it was believed to exist in 1910. The original rooms now once again enjoy a lake view, and the dramatic portico facing Lake Ontario is the primary element on the façade.

Restoration work involved the demolition of the annex, and reconstruction and refurbishment of the covered porch, steps and windows, which were character-defining elements in the original structure. Related interior alterations were also necessary.

Jury's Comments: The work on St. Helen's Annex removed an inappropriate addition and rehabilitated the porch on the structure. The removal of such a large addition was a bold and innovative move, and in doing so, the building has re-established its perspective to the waterfront. The work on the building, and the colours used, are sympathetic to the original structure.

Address: 273 Main Street, Barriefield

Category: Historic Preservation & Restoration

Owner(s): Patrick Powers Construction

Designer(s): Sherman Hill

Project Description: John Marks' House, built in the 1800s, has served as a home and Rectory for St. Mark's Church in Barriefield. After years of neglect, the house was in serious disrepair and in danger of being demolished. The current owner took the opportunity to restore this building with help from the Building Internship Program at the Queen Elizabeth Collegiate and Vocational Institute (QECVI), who provided labour that worked alongside the other construction crews.

This project completely restored the house to its original details. The windows were rebuilt to match existing profiles exactly. The original wood siding was reclaimed and reused where possible. Where new siding was made, it matched the original profile of the wood. The entire porch was remade to be identical to the original structure. The original columns were restored and the railing was rebuilt. Exterior trim was salvaged, stripped, restored, repainted and reinstalled. The stone addition was restored and the original wood burning fireplace was rebuilt with existing reclaimed brick. Cedar shingles were used instead of asphalt shingles.

Jury's Comments: The restoration of the John Marks' House exhibited meticulous attention to detail, and recognizes one of Kingston's early frame buildings. It was a courageous and extraordinary project, which undertook to restore a building that could have more easily been demolished. The rehabilitation and reuse of original materials further complements the efforts undertaken in this restoration project.

Address: 225 King Street East

Category: Historic Preservation & Restoration

Owner(s): Beare Weatherup and Susan Shaw

Designer(s): Beare Weatherup & Susan Shaw, Hughes Downey Architects, Shoalts & Zaback Architects Ltd.

Project Description: The 1845 classical revival style building began its existence as the Bank of Montreal and the bank manager's residence. It became the Frontenac Club, a men's club, in 1908. Over the years, the building has also been used for a daycare and apartments, and additions have been made to accommodate these uses. The current owners purchased this downtown heritage building to establish their bed and breakfast business.

The façades of the building were left intact during renovation, save for some maintenance. The signs are discreet and appropriate for the building. The choice to retain the Frontenac Club name, and to use the fleur-de-lys as a motif, was distinctive and historically appropriate. With the fleur-de-lys as a starting point, the decoration enhances the architectural detailing and provides an interesting and restful background.

Jury's Comments: The restoration of the Frontenac Club Inn showed careful and restrained treatment of the building's exterior. The interior rooms of the building were also left intact and re-used. This project is a very good example of restoring and re-using a structure without affecting the original character of the building.

Address: 115 Ordnance Street

Category: Historic Preservation & Restoration

Owner(s): Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul

Designer(s): Gervan & Associates

Project Description: The interior and exterior restoration of the 1898 chapel was undertaken in 2002 and 2003. The project had several components: pointing and repairing the stonework; upgrading the mechanical system; replacing the roof with slate; replacing the gutters and flashing with copper; restoring the stained glass windows and replacing the protective window system; and renewing and upgrading the lighting system.

Knowledgeable and skilled craftsmen were employed to restore the stained glass windows, to lay the slate roof, and to bend and weld the copper flashings and gutters.

The restoration of the 1898 Casavant pipe organ was carried out after the major building restoration. It was recently declared a historic instrument by the Royal College of Organists.

Jury's Comments: The restoration of the Our Mother of Sorrows Chapel is extraordinary in the integrity and respect shown to the original design and detailing, both to the exterior and interior of the building. Even in instances where details were missing, they have been restored as part of the project. The Chapel is well-integrated into its surroundings, and is an asset to the neighbourhood, and to the long-term care facility that it supports. The building is a treasure of both City-wide and Provincial significance.

Address: 221 King Street East

Category: Open Space & Landscaping

Owner(s): John & Anne Smith

Designer(s): Angus Ross

Project Description: In 2003, Angus Ross, the previous owner of the home, saw that the pillars of his limestone and wrought iron fence were cracked and unstable, while the rest of the fence was visibly disintegrating. With the help of a local stone mason, he set out to restore and rebuild the entire fence back to its 1834 design, using only the original stone and wrought iron materials.

The low limestone walls anchoring the fence pickets were broken down, rebuilt piece-by-piece and "epoxy'd" back together. The pillars were also restacked, recapped and reset on a new stable base below ground. The end result was a structurally sound fence returned to its original grandeur.

Jury's Comments: The fence at 221 King Street East acts as extension of the building on the property, and is an important part of the streetscape. It is a good example of this style of fencing, and the restoration work that has been done on it was very well executed. The painstaking work of reusing all of the original materials is extremely commendable. The project serves as a model for the importance of landscape planning and design as a key component to making our city an interesting and remarkable place to live.

Address: 190 Collingwood Street

Category: Sustainability & the Environment

Owner(s): Robert Miller & Cindy Cameron

Designer(s): Hughes Downey Architects, Robert Miller

Project Description: The Miller Cameron Home renovation and addition is an example of a project that keeps Kingston clean and green, while promoting the local economy by working with local "green businesses". Construction was completed by December 2006, resulting in a 1.5 storey 1950's vintage home being salvaged and renovated into a "green" house.

There are many green architectural features, including: solar photo voltaic system (supplying up to 40% of electricity needs); sun tube and internal glass blocks for natural light; high efficiency wood burning stove to heat the house and to offset gas heating; solar thermal hot water heater (supplies all hot water in summer; 50% in winter); 600 square feet insulated concrete form addition; wastewater heat exchanger (recovers 50% of heat from shower and pre-feeds hot water tank); and grey water collection system (reducing water and sewage by approximately 30%).

Jury's Comments: The work done on the home at 190 Collingwood Street is a very good example of how to renovate and improve existing 1950s housing stock in a way that is sustainable and reduces energy consumption. The "greening" of the Miller Cameron Home was a very ambitious venture that can serve as a pilot project for other homes in the City.

Address: Sydenham Public School, 5 Clergy Street East

Category: People's Choice Award

Owner(s): Limestone District School Board

Designer(s): Anne Powers

Project Description: The students in Anne Powers' primary classes at Sydenham Public School have become passionate environmentalists through their care of Monarch Butterflies and their habitat.

The space occupied by the present gardens used to be hard mud and dead grass that abuts the city sidewalk. Anne Powers viewed the area as one of possibility. The garden beds were dug mostly by students in Grade 7. Students in other classes helped and have continued to assist in maintaining the garden.

The Milkweed Patch is a great habitat for Monarchs and attracts a host of other creatures as well. The gardens have Common Milkweed, Tropical Milkweed and Butterfly Weed. Monarchs also have favourite flowers to get nectar from, which were planted by the students. These include Bee Balm, New England Aster, Purple Coneflower, Coreopsis and Black-Eyed Susans. The students researched these native plants and helped design the garden.

Comments: A garden for butterflies adds to the uniqueness of the old limestone school and its place within historic Kingston. The transformation of the grass median along the sidewalk is described as beautiful and marvelous, as well as an excellent learning experience for the students.