Transitional houring project in Beaverton honoured with major Ontario design award

A supportive housing project in the small community of Beaverton that met with fierce resistance from residents and the township itself – which tried to block development – is one of ten winning designs in the Ontario Association of Architects’ 2026 Design Excellence Awards.

The Beaverton Heights transitional housing project, designed to house 47 of Durham Region’s unsheltered citizens in an environment where they can receive round-the-clock medical treatment from counsellors, nurses and personal support workers, was honoured by a jury of design experts.

The project, designed by Montgomery Sisam Architects, was recognized both for its modular design that blends with its environment for the “dignified” care provided for its residents.

“Beaverton Heights delivers dignified supportive housing for the Region of Durham, setting a precedent for a transformative and motivated response to homelessness,” the designers noted in their submission. “The modular build was designed thoughtfully to integrate with its rural context, incorporating pitched roofs and a warm wood palette. The inhabitants benefit from a connected community hub that offers social supports to residents and the broader community.”

“A high-performance building envelope, fully electrified systems, and rooftop solar panels significantly reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. Delivered rapidly and economically, the project sets a new precedent for design excellence in housing for vulnerable populations.”

The selection process began with 96 submissions, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of 20 finalists before announcing the ten winners, with those winners and their teams feted during the Ontario Architects Association conference at Tapestry Hall in Cambridge on May 14.

Each winning project was carefully evaluated against key criteria, including creativity, context, sustainability, good design/good business, and legacy.

Submissions also required inclusion of Energy Use Intensity metrics, reflecting the association’s commitment to pursuing climate stability in the public interest and ensuring sustainable, resilient design remains a critical component of any successful project.

“The 2026 Design Excellence Awards showcase exciting examples of the quality work being performed by members of Ontario’s architecture profession, as well as the clear impact our built spaces can have on our communities,” said association president Lara McKendrick. “This year’s winning projects highlight a diverse range of building types and innovative approaches. By mandating the submission of Energy Use Intensity metrics for all candidates, the OAA is pleased to actively advance climate stability and ensure sustainable design remains a core priority for the profession.”

The Koffler Scientific Reserve building in Toronto, another Montgomery Sisam project, was also honoured as one of the ten winners.

The Beaverton project was also honoured in pre-production in 2022 with the Canadian Architect Award of Excellence recognizing the design for the modular supportive housing building.

The design earn the “highest recognition for excellence in the design stage in the Canadian architectural sector.”

Durham Region was one of five winners out of more than 200 submissions for the honour in 2022, which was also the period when the project faced resistance from some residents of the 3,000-citizen town.

Numerous residents petitioned the Township of Brock to block construction and the pressure resulted in Brock passing a by-law to block all modular construction, resulting in an indefinite construction delay and a court battle with Durham Region, which had to sue its own municipality to regain control of the project, claiming the by-law amounted to ‘people-zoning’ – designating land based on who will use it instead of what it will be used for.

After all the legal in-fighting, Brock and Durham came to an agreement with numerous concessions to the township, such as a finding a family doctor, 24 hour security and treatment option, as well as enhanced local policing, among others, before the project was able to proceed.

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