An institutional building turned multi-generational home and a house shaped like the letter Z are among the dozens of creative and innovative projects recognized at this year’s Ottawa Housing Design Awards.
Housing design excellence was on display at the glitzy gala Nov. 7, with a sold-out crowd of more than 900 celebrating the creativity, craftsmanship and expertise behind Ottawa’s best residential work.
New homes, renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, design details and innovation were among the 57 categories judged and given trophies at the 43rd annual awards organized by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA).
“Our awards program is a chance for the GOHBA to formally recognize a special group of members who have demonstrated an exceptionally high level of excellence,” says Linda Oliveri Blanchard, an executive committee chair with GOHBA who has helped organize the awards and gala for more than 15 years. “Our members design, build and renovate some of the finest homes and communities in North America. At our awards gala, we had a chance to crown the best of the best.”
Noted returning judge Christopher Lemke of Calgary’s Alloy Homes: “As usual, there was a great deal of high-quality architecture in evidence.”
Jump right to:
Who were the big winners?
Other awards of note
What’s trending
Winners in photos:
Production homes & condos
Custom homes
Kitchens & bathrooms
Renovations
Design details
Innovation & special achievement
The gala, which is one of the largest events of its kind in the city, took over Canada Hall and Parliament Foyer at Rogers Centre with a theme inspired by Studio 54, a famous New York City nightclub and the epicentre of the late-1970s disco era. “It was full of glitz and sparkle,” says Oliveri Blanchard.
There were 330 entries in this year’s awards, which were judged by 34 industry experts from across the country, who each had certain categories to evaluate in blind judging. “Every year, the designs submitted by our community continue to raise the bar when it comes to the caliber of esthetics, functionality and beauty,” Oliveri Blanchard says. More than 90 companies entered and 229 projects were named finalists.
“There was a good balance between esthetics and functionality in many of the projects, which is important because successful residential design ultimately needs to work for the people who live in the space,” says judge Azita Hekmati, a designer and business growth manager for Panasonic Canada.
The big winners
Hobin Architecture was the big winner, scooping up an impressive eight trophies for everything from a production home and rental buildings to a renovation and design details. Close on Hobin’s heels was 2H Interior Design, which claimed seven wins.
In fact, the two companies combined for six of those trophies, including three for the thoughtful renovation of a 70-year-old former institutional building into a distinctive multi-generational family residence. That project won its renovation category, any room in the house and exterior living space.
“We were absolutely floored to receive eight wins out of the 13 contender entries we had this year. It was a testament to the importance we place on teamwork to share the achievement with valued partners such as Uniform Developments, 2H Interior Design, eQ Homes, Accurate Stairs & Railings and Reval Construction,” says Steve Clifford, senior associate, director of marketing and communications at Hobin Architecture. “Each year, we see an elevated level of quality in all the finalists, so it’s very humbling to receive this level of recognition. More importantly, it reflects the trust our clients place in us and the collaborative approach that drives every project.”
Also doing well was production builder Richcraft Homes, which won five categories: two for its Addison and Fairhaven townhome models at Westwood in Stittsville (shared with Maison Blonde Interiors); two for its Centrepointe Union rental complex; and one for the kitchen of its Pinefield model at Kanata Lakes (shared with Potvin Construction).
All three of Richcraft’s winning model homes are from floor plans that have previously won awards for the builder. And it’s the second year in a row that Richcraft has won multiple awards for one of its rental towers. Last year’s winner was Parkdale Collective in Hintonburg.
MORE: Richcraft unveils Centrepointe Union
A trio of companies each claimed four trophies: Amsted Design-Build, Ardington + Associates Design, and Cedar Ridge Designs and Custom Cabinetry.
Amsted won for two kitchen renovations, the best home office and one of the prestige awards: custom builder of the year. Amsted won a similar builder category at the provincial level this year as well, being named the small volume builder of the year at the Ontario Home Builders’ Association Awards of Distinction in September.
Ardington also won a prestige category — designer of the year — as well as trophies for an expansive custom home plus a renovation that added a connected yet “intentionally autonomous” addition that was originally envisioned as guest accommodations. The custom home won a second trophy — the coveted All Things Home People’s Choice Award, which is the only category that is awarded based on a public vote. With the exception of designer of the year, all of Ardington’s wins were shared with Maple Leaf Custom Homes and Cedar Ridge Designs & Custom Cabinetry.
Along with the three trophies it shared with Ardington, Cedar Ridge also won a fourth award for a contemporary ensuite bathroom in collaboration with Nowacki Homes.
MORE: Read about the People’s Choice winner
Other awards of note
Several companies won multiple awards, including two who captured the remaining prestige awards. Lagois Design-Build-Renovate was named renovator of the year, an award it last won in 2023. It also captured one of the renovation categories for an addition that created better function and connection in a family home. That project was one of the stops on this fall’s RenoTour Parade of Homes.
“Congratulations to all the finalists. For us, winning renovator of the year again is especially meaningful to me and the team because it speaks to consistency in our design, our craftsmanship and the experience we deliver to homeowners,” says president Jacob Kirst. “Building on more than four decades in Ottawa, I’m proud of how our team continues to move (our) vision forward.”
The final prestige category — production builder of the year — went to eQ Homes, which last won the accolade in 2018. eQ won three awards in all, including a production home category for its Madeline model at Marshall’s Bay in Arnprior and a condo category (shared with Hobin) for the Spencer condo at Greystone Village in Old Ottawa East.
And one of the most unique projects, a Z-shaped custom home by Linebox Studio and Sanchez Homes, won its custom home category and caught the attention of more than one judge.
“It successfully combines contemporary design with functionality and sustainability,” says Hekmati. “Its net zero approach, thoughtful use of natural light and integration of sustainable design principles make it a compelling example of how residential architecture can be both innovative and highly livable. The interior is extremely functional, while the architectural design creates a strong connection between natural light, the interior spaces and the overall experience of the home.”
Added judge Jessica Mellanby of Nova Scotia’s Sawlor Built Homes: “The design of the home to fit the lot was brilliant!”
The project also won its custom category at the provincial awards in September.
What’s trending
Many of the trends we saw in last year’s awards were back in force this year. Arches and other curves, natural materials, texture, a connection to nature and the use of black and other dark neutrals featured prominently.
“I found the contrast between light and dark particularly effective,” notes Hekmati. “The combination of lighter natural materials with darker architectural elements creates a contemporary esthetic while still maintaining warmth and visual interest.”
Clean lines and Scandinavian vibes also continued to show up in designs. “People are looking for clean, less clutter, less distraction,” says judge Michelle Nikitin of Enbridge Gas.
And both Nikitin and Mellanby are noticing the trend of creating spaces for families to age in place — think additional dwelling units and the like — both locally and across the country.
“We are evolving,” says Nikitin, noting that instead of moving homes every five or seven years, “we are settling down and preparing for growing children or aging parents.”
Secondary suites, in-law suites and different types of multi-family residential homes also help to keep costs down, adds judge Stephen Tobey of Gordon Tobey Developments in Brighton, Ont., west of Kingston.
Awards programs like the Housing Design Awards “give the public an opportunity to understand why certain designs are successful — not only from an esthetic perspective, but also in terms of functionality, innovation, sustainability and the overall experience of the home,” says Hekmati.
Adds Lemke: “It’s important to raise the bar on design expectations in the marketplace. If the market demands higher quality environments, the industry will deliver.”
2026 Housing Design Awards winners
Here’s a look at the winning projects, broken down into six groups. Each of the 57 award categories had up to five finalists.
Production homes & condos
The production (or tract) home entries are typically builder model homes and included townhomes, singles, condos and rental buildings. There were 49 finalists vying for trophies in 12 categories.
“There were some innovative designs, as well as more daring choices in materials, colours and architectural details,” says Hekmati. “It is encouraging to see the industry continuing to explore new ideas rather than simply following established design trends.”
Custom homes
Custom home entries ranged from multi-unit infill homes to expansive estate properties and modern traditional to sleek contemporary. There were 15 finalists in five categories, which was down slightly from last year.
“I was impressed with a number of submissions and overall thought there to be strong competition in the various categories,” says Mellanby. “I loved the variation of the entries.”
Kitchens & bathrooms
Traditionally among the most popular categories to enter, there were 141 kitchen and bath entries this year and 76 finalists vying for 17 awards.
“This year’s candidates were quite strong, stronger than last year — lots of innovative, fun and exciting work,” says returning judge Joel Tanner, CEO and creative director of SMPL Design Studio in Hamilton. “It was an enjoyable and at times challenging process” to judge the entries.
Winners ranged from soft and subtle to bold and dramatic.
Renovations
With the exception of basement renovations, these categories are determined by price ranges, and there were 27 finalists in seven categories this year.
“Some of the additions were amazing,” says Nikitin. “Builders/renovators are being very creative, making spaces multifunctional or using smaller spaces more cleverly.”
Design details
This group of categories looks at some of the finer details of a project, from housing details and rooms other than kitchens and bathrooms to exterior spaces, exterior details and projects outside the Ottawa coverage area.
This year, there were 27 finalists in seven categories, including the most popular category for the second year in a row — any room in the house, which had 17 entries.
Innovation & special achievement
The innovation categories recognize green and sustainable building. The special achievement categories, meanwhile, are considered the prestige awards, recognizing general excellence in the category combined with how well the recipient has fared in other categories.
“Companies who had entered showed great pride in the work they submitted,” says Tobey. “It was nice to see their positive attitude during a challenging sales season.”
