Architects Luc Bouliane and Consortium Cardinal Hardy/Claude Cormier + Associés are among eleven winners of the 2016 Tucker Design Awards.
Presented biennially and sponsored by the Building Stone Institute, the Tucker Design Awards are recognized as one of the most prestigious architectural design awards. Tucker Design Awards honour those who have achieved excellence in design through the incorporation and innovative use of natural stone in their building or landscape project.
Architects Luc Bouliane won for their project Relmar House in Toronto. Inspired by a geode, the home has a dark, rough exterior and glistening interiors. The concept was developed in part to overcome a potentially limiting site constraint – the home sits directly north of a mid-rise apartment building, meaning that in order to get south light, the form has to crack open like a geode in the form of long skylights. The interior walls are clad in a reflective limestone that helps the light to penetrate in.
Also from Canada, Consortium Cardinal Hardy/Claude Cormier + Associés won an award for their renewal of Dorchester Square in Montreal. Dorchester Square was Canada’s wealthiest neighbourhood at the end of the nineteenth century; its monuments and surrounding edifices are emblematic of the history and fabric of Montreal. Built between 1876 and 1880 upon a desacralized cemetery where 50,000 human remains are still buried, the square is significant in terms of archeology, architecture and landscape history. The architects’ proposal aims to restore the original Victorian public square, enhance links to urban generators of social activity, and remove incompatible uses to this classic oasis of grandeur in one of the city’s most venerable districts.
Each Tucker Design Award event utilizes a unique set of jurors who are esteemed members of the design professionals from whom the award submittals are received. Jury members enjoy exposure to work from around the world as well as the challenging role of choosing the winners. Entries typically range from large commercial projects, to private residences, public monuments and private gardens.