Ottawa’s housing industry has come home with five trophies from the 2024 OHBA Awards of Distinction.
Presented by the Ontario Home Builders’ Association, the coveted awards recognize the province’s best in production and custom homes, renovations, room design, marketing and other categories. This year saw more than 560 entries competing for 42 awards as well as several special awards. Ottawa was represented by 16 finalists.
Winners of the 2024 OHBA Awards of Distinction were announced at the annual gala Sept. 24 in Niagara Falls.
The Ottawa winners
Amsted Design-Build’s Mid-Century Marvel project won the award for a renovation up to $250,000.
Mid-century modern style inspired the project, including an open-concept kitchen with striking wood elements and a bar area, a remodeled bathroom in contrasting dark and light hues, a family room with a fireplace and dining area, and a generous foyer with large tiles and a wood accent wall.
The project is in the running at this year’s Ottawa Housing Design Awards.
“Mid-Century Marvel stands out for both the client’s beautiful tastes, and the team’s commitment and skill in achieving their vision,” says Amsted’s Stephanie Haw. “The rich colour scheme and use of natural materials throughout help tie together the once-divided space into a fantastic open-concept main floor, perfect for everyday living and entertaining.”
Amsted, a finalist in four OHBA categories this year, also took home the Renovator of the Year award for a record sixth time.
“We’re honoured and thrilled to be named Ontario Renovator of the Year for a record-setting sixth time,” says Haw. “This milestone win reflects the team’s passion for excellence and our continued drive to push the boundaries of craftsmanship and design innovation.”
Balmoral Green by RND Construction — like Amsted, RND is a regular award winner at the national, provincial and local levels — won the trophy for custom home up to 3,000 square feet.
Designed for aging in place and including a full secondary suite in the basement, the net zero home was named one of the top five net zero custom homes in the nation by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA).
“This home has a very unique design and has a bit of everything for everyone,” says RND president, Roy Nandram. “It’s net zero and has an elevator, gym, home theatre, secondary unit and much more. It was a difficult design because it is a triangular lot bounded by three streets but it has exceptional landscaping and exterior living space.”
Balmoral Green was also a finalist in three other OHBA categories this year, was a finalist in the 2024 CHBA Awards and is competing in this year’s Ottawa Housing Design Awards.
Lagois Design-Build-Renovate won the kitchen trophy for a Scandinavian-themed space. The new kitchen, now open to the dining room and featuring more storage, natural maple hardwood and white countertops, was designed for a clean, spacious feel that encourages togetherness.
“We’re over the moon and proud to have created a space that radiates warmth, functionality and style — a blend of sleek design and cozy charm,” says Lagois’ president, Jacob Kirst.
“Walking into the home, it’s very calm, open and bright. A big change from the dark, closed-off kitchen they had before. All the materials blend well together for a cohesive main floor. The space is inviting and functional, from the bar top to be in the middle of the action to the cozy nook with a built-in seat.”
Lagois was also competing in the bathroom category and for the Renovator of the Year award, which it captured in 2023.
OHBA’s bathroom renovation award was scooped up by West of Main, an international award-winning design firm. The project, which entailed a complete gut of the existing bathroom, was part of a larger makeover of a 1940s home that had seen a minimal renovation in the 1990s but needed a refresh and to be more functional for a young family.
The project was one of two OHBA finalists by West of Main.
“We’re truly honored to receive the OHBA award for the Parkside Project bathroom,” says West of Main co-founder Sascha Lafleur. “This recognition reflects the unwavering dedication of our team.
“Designing this ensuite was all about creating a space that enhanced flow and served as a tranquil oasis for our clients. By reimagining the layout, we prioritized accessibility while maintaining a sense of serenity.
What I love the most about this bathroom is the seamless blend of mid-century elements with custom walnut cabinetry. We were particularly keen on incorporating mid-century elements throughout the design to complement the overall style of the other newly renovated areas of the home.”
MORE: Read our profile on West of Main co-founder Sascha Lafleur
Minto Communities, headquartered in Ottawa, won two awards for out-of-town projects.
Full winners list here.
