Canadian Interiors announces the 27th annual Best of Canada Awards winners

Driven by the relentless pursuit of innovation and originality, this year’s results showcase a rousing display of creativity, inspiration, and expertise. Like athletes pushing their limits to reach the pinnacle of their field, Canadian designers have poured their passion and ingenuity into every submission, carving a path for a vibrant future in the aesthetic landscape.

By Canadian Interiors

The Canadian Interiors Best of Canada Awards has long been a premier national program celebrating the highpoint of Canadian interior design. This year continues that tradition by honouring some of the most prolific and forward-thinking designers our country has to offer. Selected through a rigorous multi-round voting process by a jury of distinguished designers and industry experts, the winners represent the very best in design excellence, creativity, and innovation across various fields. The significance of this national award program cannot be overstated: it not only shines a spotlight on outstanding talent but also establishes a legacy that future generations of designers will look to for inspiration. The extraordinary work submitted in all categories offers invaluable insights into how today’s designers are shaping the future of built environments, driving forward-thinking approaches that challenge conventions and elevate the industry as a whole.

The Best of Canada Awards stands as a beacon, celebrating design excellence without prejudice to dimensions, budgets, or locations. Whether from large firms or smaller studios, the winners exemplify the highest standards of design, demonstrating a remarkable balance of form and function. The award is more than just a recognition of technical skill and creativity; it is a testament to the thoughtfulness and distinction that continue to define Canadian design. It is also an implicit recognition of the ability to successfully communicate a piece of design. In an era where “everyone’s a content creator,” this award program underscores the importance of both architectural photography and storytelling skills in enhancing our understanding of design, rather than merely documenting it. The visually striking and conceptually profound entries this year will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of designers, leaving a legacy that will guide and shape the future of the industry.

As always, the two categories of Projects and Products require distinct judging exercises, which were held on separate days, both at Kasian Architecture and Interior Design in their Toronto studio and with their generous support. A dedicated and discerning panel of design professionals took on the challenging task of reviewing submissions, meticulously selecting this year’s corps d’elite. Their hard work and expertise are the true backbone of this celebration. For Projects we enlisted four judges with diverse spectrums of experience and specialization: Joanne Chan, principal at SDI Design; Maria Denegri, principal at Denegri Bessai Studio; William Dewson, principal architect at Dewson Architects; and Madeline Kurpeikis, founder and principal designer of Elbo Studio. On the Products side, three judges put their in-the-trenches expertise to work analyzing a difficult category: Kate Tessier, owner and principal of Kilowatt Kate; Cathy Knott, a principal at Kasian Architecture and Interior Design; and David Quan, a practising industrial designer for a variety of Canada’s largest retail manufacturers, vendors and consumer facing stores.

Ultimately, a total of 30 winners were chosen, which include five Products and 25 Projects representing a cross-Canada spectrum. When it came to selecting Project of the Year, the judges spoke glowingly about House on the Park at every stage of the process. “This exceptional interior project elegantly marries traditional charm with modern sophistication, crafting a space that is harmonious, inviting, rich in engagement and uniqueness,” enthused Joanne Chan, a sentiment echoed by Madeline Kurpeikis, who went on to note that “The design team has created a cohesive design story where each room shines individually yet speaks to one another. This timeless renovation exemplifies ‘good design,’ setting a new standard that promises to stand out for generations.”

Project of the Year: House on the Park, by Superkül + Pencil Design (photo by Doublespace)

The Best of Canada Awards also continues to celebrate the exceptional work of Canada’s interior product designers, with the honour of Judges’ Pick going to Pearson Lloyd and Teknion for the Aarea conference chair for inspiring “a vision of what a chair succeeding at using minimal components, recycled material, and considering circularity would look like,” according to Kate Tessier. “It succeeds at uniting the concept of circularity with a successful design aesthetic.”

Judges’ Pick: Aarea by Pearson Lloyd for Teknion (photo courtesy of Teknion)

Congratulations to all 30 winners!

Hospitality

Institutional

Office

Residence

Retail

Products

Canadian Interiors September/October 2024 Best of Canada Awards issue 

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