2025 Housing Design Awards recognize Ottawa design excellence
Hidden spaces, an indoor basketball court, an abundance of wood and making indoor-outdoor connections: There was a cornucopia of envy-inducing entries in the 2025 Housing Design Awards.
At a glitzy gala Nov. 1, 57 of those entries were awarded trophies in categories ranging from kitchens and bathrooms to new homes, renovations, design details and more.
Sonya Kinkade Design picked up six wins, three of them with Tamarack Homes, including this production kitchen.
Organized by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association, the annual awards gala, now in its 42nd year, is one of the largest events of its kind in the city. A record 867 guests gathered in Canada Hall at the Rogers Centre, which was decked out in a theme inspired by the novel The Secret Garden, featuring 14-foot twinkling trees and a 24-foot walkway decorated in garden-style greenery with a birch pole canopy.
Among RND Construction’s four wins were two for this project: the innovation award for renovation of the year and the All Things Home People’s Choice Award.
Laurysen Kitchens claimed six wins, including a custom kitchen category for this project.
Just over 340 entries were judged by 18 industry experts from across the country, who each had certain categories to evaluate in blind judging.
In reviewing the entries, Chris Hewett, an architecture professor at Algonquin College and the only local judge, noted that “homeowners looking for a renovation or new-home buyers have such a wealth of quality options available to them in Ottawa.”
Linda Oliveri Blanchard, who chairs the awards committee, echoed that. “The Ottawa Housing Design Awards program is our way to highlight our local residential construction businesses, who continue to set the bar higher and higher every year, creating some of the most beautiful spaces, homes and communities that can be found across Canada.”
Amsted Design-Build was named renovator of the year for a record 12th time and second year in a row, as well as picking up two other wins.
The big winners
Topping the list of winners this year was Flynn Architect, which took home eight trophies, ranging from custom homes to multiple design details categories. The company also picked up one of the prestigious special achievement awards, being named designer of the year.
“The competition was incredibly strong, so I’m genuinely pleased,” said Flynn Architect principal Jason Flynn, who admitted to being a bit overwhelmed by all the wins. “When your name keeps being called, it takes a moment to sink in.”
Minto was named production builder of the year, along with winning a condo category and for the kitchen in the 2024 dream home (shown).
For several of his wins, Flynn teamed up with Casa Verde Construction, which won six trophies of its own, including the special achievement category of custom builder of the year.
Casa Verde’s Laura McElligot says the team was honoured to take home so many wins. “It was an incredible night for our team.”
Two other companies won six awards each: custom cabinet maker Laurysen Kitchens, which is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year, and long-time designer Sonya Kinkade Design. Laurysen and Kinkade shared awards on two projects, a custom home and a classic English-style kitchen.
Nathan Kyle Studio scooped up four trophies, including one for this custom bathroom.
Laurysen also won, with Minto, for the kitchen in last year’s CHEO lottery grand prize dream home (it also won both provincial and national housing awards) plus three other kitchens.
The dream home “is just a feather-in-our-cap project,” said Laurysen vice-president of sales and service Corey Laurysen, who also gave a nod to the home’s interior designer, Tanner Vine.
Frequent award-winner RND Construction was at it again, claiming four trophies, including winning the coveted All Things Home People’s Choice Award, the only category that is awarded based on a public vote.
“The competition this year was fierce with many great finalists,” said RND founder Roy Nandram.
MBHE Inc. won two innovation awards for its net zero coach house: custom home of the year and towards net zero project.
The project that won the People’s Choice was also Nandram’s favourite. “This is our first net zero reno… It shows that you can take a simple home and modernize it while improving the energy efficiency.”
Rounding out the prestige categories were veteran companies Minto, which was named production builder of the year for the second year in a row, and Amsted Design-Build, which won renovator of the year for a record 12th time and also for the second year in a row. Amsted is also the reigning provincial builder of the year, having claimed that accolade earlier this fall at the Ontario Home Builders’ Association Awards of Distinction for the third year running. Amsted has also won the provincial title a record seven times.
“It’s hard to put into words how special a night like that feels,” said Amsted’s Stephanie Haw, adding that winning renovator of the year again is something the company does not take for granted. “Pairing that with another provincial win is an incredible honour. It reminds us why we keep raising the bar year after year — for our clients, our community and for each other.”
Richcraft picked up three trophies for its Parkdale Collective rental building, including best common area.
What’s trending
There were several recurring themes, many of which continued trends from last year, such as arches, texture and wood.
We’re also still embracing colour, but this year it was more muted, with comfort and a welcoming feeling the primary look. That’s being seen in an abundance of wood — accents, cabinets and more — and warm neutrals.
That also feeds into the growing trend to connect with nature, which is increasingly labelled as biophilic design. Indoor-outdoor connections, bringing in more natural light and using materials and design touches that evoke nature are all dominating Ottawa design right now.
Texture and layers were also increasingly popular with several entries — including fluted details, slat walls, stone and textiles — to create inviting spaces.
The winners
Production home, attached, 2,000 sq. ft. or less:
Tamarack Homes, the Cardiff
Production home, attached, 2,001 sq. ft. or more:
Cardel Homes, the Aspen
Production home, single detached, under $900,000:
Urbandale Construction, the Hazelton
Production home, single detached, $900,001 – $1,100,000:
Claridge Homes, the Portmarnock
Production home, single detached, $1,100,001 or more:
Glenview Homes with West of Main Design, the Reveli
New community:
Glenview Homes, Flagstaff
Custom home, 3,000 sq. ft. or less:
Sonya Kinkade Design with Laurysen Kitchens
Custom home, 3,001 sq. ft. or more:
Neoteric Developments
Custom urban home, 3,200 sq. ft. or less:
Flynn Architect with Casa Verde Construction
Custom urban home, 3,201 sq. ft. or more:
Flynn Architect with Casa Verde Construction
Custom urban home, multi-unit:
RJH Architecture + Planning
Low-rise apartment, condo or rental, up to 4 storeys:
Evospace Developments
Mid- or high-rise apartment, condo or rental, 5 storeys or more:
Minto Communities with Raw Design, 88 Beechwood
Condo or rental apartment suite, 800 sq. ft. and under:
Richcraft, the Carleton
Condo or rental apartment suite, 801 – 1,500 sq. ft.:
Richcraft, the Deschenes
Condo or rental apartment suite, 1,501 sq. ft. or more:
Simmonds Architecture
Best common area:
Richcraft, Parkdale Collective
Renovation, under $150,000:
RND Construction
Renovation, $150,001 – $250,000:
Simmonds Architecture
Renovation, $250,001 – $400,000:
Shean Architects with Cada Construction and Astro Design Centre
Renovation, $400,001 – $650,000:
Amsted Design-Build
Renovation, $750,001 – $1,000,000:
Shean Architects with Sheshko Construction
Renovation, $1,000,001 and over:
Cada Construction
Basement renovation:
Amsted Design-Build
Production kitchen, 200 sq. ft. or less:
Sonja Kinkade Design with Tamarack Homes
Production kitchen, 201 – 250 sq. ft.:
Sonya Kinkade Design with Tamarack Homes
Production kitchen, 251 sq. ft. or more:
Minto Communities with Laurysen Kitchens, the Oasis
Production bathroom:
Sonya Kinkade Design with Tamarack Homes
Custom kitchen, 175 sq. ft. or less, traditional:
Maison Blonde Interiors
Custom kitchen, 175 sq. ft. or less, contemporary:
Laurysen Kitchens
Custom kitchen, 176 – 250 sq. ft., traditional:
CPI Interiors
Custom kitchen, 176 – 250 sq. ft., contemporary:
Nathan Kyle Studio with Urban Quarry and Hanstone
Custom kitchen, 251 sq. ft. or more, traditional, $100,000 and under:
Picasso Custom Homes with Laurysen Kitchens
Custom kitchen, 251 sq. ft. or more, contemporary, $100,000 and under:
Laurysen Kitchens
Custom kitchen, 251 sq. ft. or more, traditional, $100,001 and over (John Laurysen Memorial Trophy):
Sonya Kinkade Design with Laurysen Kitchens
Custom kitchen, 251 sq. ft. or more, contemporary, $100,001 and over:
Nathan Kyle Studio
Custom bathroom, 100 sq. ft. or less, traditional:
Nathan Kyle Studio
Custom bathroom, 100 sq. ft. or less, contemporary:
Nathan Kyle Studio
Custom bathroom, 101 sq. ft. or more, traditional:
Sonya Kinkade Design
Custom bathroom, 101 sq. ft. or more, contemporary:
Flynn Architect with Tomic Construction and Cedar Ridge Designs & Custom Cabinetry
Bathroom, powder room:
2H Interior Design with Hobin Architecture
Housing details:
Flynn Architect with Casa Verde Construction
Any room in the house:
Neoteric Developments
Best home office:
Maison Blonde Interiors
Exterior details:
RND Construction and Flynn Architect
Exterior living space:
Modello Homes
Alternative enclosed space:
25:8 Architecture + Urban Design
Anywhere in the world:
Flynn Architect with Casa Verde Construction
Best adaptive/inclusive design:
Flynn Architect with Casa Verde Construction
Innovation award: Custom home of the year:
MBHE
Innovation award: Renovation of the year:
RND Construction
Innovation award: Towards net zero project:
MBHE
Production builder of the year:
Minto
Custom builder of the year:
Casa Verde Construction
Renovator of the year:
Amsted Design-Build
Designer of the year:
Flynn Architect
All Things Home people’s choice award:
RND Construction
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