On November 30, 2023, members of Hobin Architecture and our consultant team proudly accepted an Award of Excellence in the Urban Infill category, recognizing the many urban design achievements of Rochester Heights Redevelopment Phase 1. Held biennially, the City of Ottawa’s Urban Design Awards honour exceptional projects in Ottawa completed in the past two years. The Urban Infill category considers buildings of high architectural standard, and which reflect a “thorough and sensitive understanding of the context, site plan, massing, and pedestrian amenities.”
“The Jury sees this type of project as a positive step in city building and encourages similar approaches to integrating affordable housing into existing communities.”
—Jury of the 2023 City of Ottawa Urban Design Awards
Located at 811 Gladstone Avenue in Ottawa, Rochester Heights Redevelopment Phase 1 (aka “Mosaïq”) is an affordable and sustainable urban community owned and operated by Ottawa Community Housing.
In its first phase, the redevelopment of Rochester Heights redefines this urban site by carefully addressing the scale and building articulation at each of its street fronts while placing emphasis on creating vibrant and inviting exterior gathering spaces. As the first residential Passive House project of this scale in Canada, the building’s innovative design adheres to strict Phius standards resulting in a defining aesthetic. The project serves as a catalyst for a thriving, sustainable and socially inclusive development within a safe and durable environment while instilling pride and a sense of place for its inhabitants.
The project was completed in 2022, and our team is now preparing the construction documents for the second phase of redevelopment.
The distinguished panel of jurors consisted of Brigitte Shim (Shim-Sutcliffe Architects), Graeme Stewart (ERA Architects) and Anne Bordeleau (Director of the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism at Carleton University).
“This exemplar project is an example of how to provide increased density and affordable housing within an existing neighborhood through the use of appropriate height, scale and site design. The energy performance and resiliency targets were also exemplary.”
—Jury of the 2023 City of Ottawa Urban Design Awards
Hobin Architecture was the only team to receive an Award of Excellence in both 2023 and 2021. Rochester Heights Redevelopment Phase 1 marks the eleventh Ottawa Urban Design Award to be received by Hobin. As an Award of Excellence recipient, Rochester Heights Redevelopment Phase 1 will automatically be considered for an RAIC National Urban Design Award in 2024. To learn more about Rochester Heights Redevelopment Phase One, please visit the 811 Gladstone Avenue project page.
Award of Merit – Greystone Village
Greystone Village also received an Award of Merit in the Public Places and Civic Spaces category, recognizing the project’s pathway connections along the Rideau River waterfront between the new community and its neighbours to north and south. Greystone Village was master planned in 2014 through a collaborative effort by Hobin Architecture, Novatech and eQ Homes/Regional Group.
