The 2017 Ontario Awards of Distinction finalists are out, and Ottawa housing industry companies once again made a strong showing as the best in the province.
Presented by the Ontario Home Builders’ Association and judged by an independent panel of industry professionals across the country, 11 projects by 10 local firms were selected as finalists in seven of the 39 categories.
Dominating the list is renovation heavyweight OakWood, with a whopping seven nominations. They include the prestigious Renovator of the Year, a category Ottawa has owned since it was introduced in 2014. OakWood won the award that first year, while fellow nominee this year Amsted Design-Build has been named top renovator for the past two years running.
Double dipping
OakWood’s projects this year include double entries in three categories: two renovation projects; two kitchens; and two bathrooms. Several of the projects are also finalists in the upcoming Housing Design Awards organized by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association.
“OakWood is proud to be a finalist in so many categories and we are appreciative of our clients and the hard work of our team,” says OakWood president and CEO John Liptak.
Cada Construction, Hobin Architecture & 2H Interior Design custom home entry. Photo courtesy Doublespace Photography
Also of note, all of the finalists in the category of Most Outstanding Custom Home, 3,001-5,000 sq. ft., are Ottawa companies:
Art House Developments
Cada Construction (with Hobin Architecture and 2H Interior Design)
RND Construction (with Christopher Simmonds Architect)
More doubles
And Art House, a relative newcomer to the awards scene, has been shortlisted in two of the custom home categories.
“It’s always an honour to be a finalist, especially at the provincial level, and I would love to have a win, especially for the homeowners,” says Art House’s Alex Diaz. It’s his first time entering the Awards of Distinction.
Veteran award-winner RND Construction also snagged two nominations, for a custom home that’s already won at both the local and national level, and for a home renovation that won at last year’s local Housing Design Awards.
“The RND team is very proud to be finalist in Ontario,” says RND owner Roy Nandram, who enjoys the challenge of going “up against the big boys” from the Greater Toronto Area.
Winners will be announced at the OHBA’s annual conference on Sept. 26.
Ottawa finalists
Ontario Renovator of the Year:
Amsted Design-Build
OakWood
Most Outstanding Custom Home, up to 3,000 sq. ft.:
Art House Developments
Most Outstanding Custom Home, 3,001-5,000 sq. ft.:
Art House Developments
Cada Construction, with Hobin Architecture and 2H Interior Design
RND Construction, with Christopher Simmonds Architect
Most Outstanding Home Renovation, up to $250,000:
Two OakWood entries
Most Outstanding Home Renovation, $250,001 to $500,000:
RND Construction, with Ha2 Architecture Design
Most Outstanding Kitchen Renovation:
Two OakWood entries
Most Outstanding Bathroom Renovation:
Two OakWood entries
