The Canada Green Building Council recently celebrated achievements in sustainable architecture by announcing the recipients of the 2025 awards at the Building Lasting Change conference in Vancouver. This year’s accolades spotlight the innovative spirit and leadership within Canada’s green building sector, recognizing projects and individuals committed to sustainability and energy efficiency. The awards are divided into two primary categories: Green Building Excellence, focusing on groundbreaking projects, and Green Building Leadership, which honors influential figures and organizations. This segmentation allows for a comprehensive celebration of both technical feats and visionary leadership supporting eco-friendly advancements.
Green Building Excellence
In the Green Building Excellence category, various projects across Canada showcased the latest in sustainable design and energy efficiency. Solterre Design played a significant role with its project for the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association, earning the prestigious Zero Carbon Design award. This accolade highlighted its innovative methodology in minimizing carbon footprints. Further west, the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto saw significant recognition through KingSett Capital’s engaging decarbonization initiative, which clinched the Deep Carbon Retrofit award. Achieving an impressive 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, along with a 35% decrease in utility expenses, exemplified how legacy structures can adapt to modern ecological demands.
Meanwhile, the province of Quebec stood out with two notable projects. The L’Albédo and CPE La Petite Cour de Mistigri initiative delivered energy-efficient housing paired with daycare amenities, clinching the Inspiring Home award. Such projects underscore the creative integration of community needs with sustainable frameworks. In London, Ontario, Perkins&Will’s work on the Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Western University garnered attention with the New Construction award. Their approach emphasized advanced architectural techniques coupled with sustainable building practices in academic environments.
Green Building Leadership
Individual and organizational leadership within the green building landscape was duly recognized in the Green Building Leadership category. Russell Horne from Kingston, Ontario, emerged as a key figure, earning the Green Building Champion award. His efforts to incorporate sustainable practices throughout the city’s infrastructure have set a high bar for municipal initiatives across Canada. Kingston further celebrated achievements through its Facilities Management & Construction Services team. Their dedication to the City’s Net Zero Transition Plan, which substantially curbed greenhouse gas output, earned them the Government Leadership award, showcasing the power of municipal strategies in driving broad environmental changes.
A focus on emerging talent was equally present, with the Emerging Green Leader award bestowed upon Della Wang of Fengate Asset Management. Her contributions to responsible investment strategies demonstrate the pivotal role of financial stewardship in the sustainable building discourse. Notably, Winnipeg-based UWRC 2.0 Inc. received the Green Building Visionary award, acknowledging its broad insights and futuristic approach to urban development. Veteran efforts were spotlighted as well, with the Ed Lim Technical Volunteer award given to Steve Kemp from RDH Building Science Inc. for his long-standing commitment to enhancing energy efficiency. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Jonathan Westeinde for his impactful leadership in sustainable development projects over the years.
Conclusion: Celebrating a Greener Tomorrow
The Canada Green Building Council recently recognized significant advancements in sustainable architecture by unveiling the winners of the 2025 awards at the Building Lasting Change conference in Vancouver. This year’s awards highlight the inventive spirit and leadership emerging within Canada’s green building industry, celebrating projects and individuals dedicated to sustainability and energy conservation. The awards are divided into two main categories: Green Building Excellence and Green Building Leadership. The Green Building Excellence category focuses on pioneering projects that set new standards in sustainability, showcasing architectural innovations that contribute to energy efficiency and environmental harmony. Meanwhile, the Green Building Leadership category acknowledges influential figures and organizations making notable contributions to the field. This approach ensures a thorough recognition of both groundbreaking technical achievements and visionary leadership that drive eco-friendly initiatives forward, reinforcing the importance of advancing sustainable practices in construction.
