Category: Awards

The AMP is one of the most comprehensive architectural programs today, with the mission to recognize the most innovative, creative and inspiring architectural projects from all over the world. The AMP jury panel which consists of esteemed architects, industry professionals and academics considered entries from 68 countries in 41 categories across the disciplines of architecture, interior design and landscape design. Winners will be invited to the bi-annual Winners Event taking place in 2019, and enjoy extensive publicity showcasing their designs to a worldwide audience throughout the next year, and their designs will be featured in the AMP Book of Architecture.

“The Winners of the Architecture MasterPrize are setting new benchmarks in architecture, interior and landscape design. The AMP is recognizing and awarding the talents of those who set new standards and inspire others, no matter the size of the company or project.” said Hossein Farmani, President of the AMP “It is a huge achievement to be selected as one of the winners, even more so with the increasing number and high standard of entries that are being entered every year.”

For nearly 200 years, Queens Square has been the heart of downtown Cambridge. This urban plaza forms a key linkage in the open space system of the city, joining the Cambridge Main Street Bridge and the Grand River to the east and Memorial Park to the west. The main goal of the project was to respect the Square’s original design intent while improving the functionality and aesthetics of the site. In addition to repairing the concrete fountain and replacing surfacing and structures, the design team worked to increase accessibility and ease of pedestrian circulation.

“Our team is very honoured and humbled by this recognition”, says Brad Smith, Senior Landscape Architect and Project Manager of Seferian Design Group. “Working collaboratively with the City, this project is strengthening Cambridge and Galt on a global scale in terms of high-quality landscape architecture and design”.

On November 9, 2017, Seferian Design Group was recognized with an Award of Merit for the Waterdown Rotary Memorial Park Skate Loop at the City of Hamilton Urban Design and Architecture Awards 2017. City of Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger presented the Award to Brad Smith (Seferian Design Group).

The Urban Design and Architecture Awards, which are held bi-annually, recognize and celebrate excellence in the design of our urban environment.

A high quality urban environment contributes to economic and social benefits, improves the image of the City, and creates a sense of pride. A well designed city is integral to developing a vibrant and sustainable community with a high quality of life.

Owners, urban designers, architects, landscape architects, planners, contractors, engineers, consultants and students are invited and encouraged to submit projects such as: buildings, additions, alterations, restorations, adaptive reuse, brownfield redevelopment, streetscapes, parks, open spaces, landscapes, ecological restoration and design projects, public art, installations, planning studies, and/or student work.

On January 10, 2017, Seferian Design Group was recognized with an Award of Excellence from Landscape Ontario for the design of 35 early learning outdoor childcare play areas for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. Brad Smith, a Senior Landscape Architect at Seferian Design Group accepted the award on behalf of the team. Since 2014, Seferian Design Group has designed over 100 play spaces for children within the School Board.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is one of the largest and most diverse districts in Ontario, operating 149 Elementary and Secondary Catholic schools throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville.

With a budget of $2.5 million, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board had design programming requirements: the transformation of plain, sterile asphalt yards into low-maintenance, yet dynamic outdoor learning environments, instead of just playgrounds. Bearing that in mind, the SDG design team started developing the overall concept which has become a pioneer in Canada. Construction was initiated and completed in two months. Former asphalt jungles were replaced with brightly coloured asphalt and soft turf, big outdoor blackboards, planters for gardening, dramatic play areas, and wooden stages. Painted mathematical shapes and the alphabet were provided to be used by the teachers as learning tools extended to the outside, where kindergarten kids are exposed to at least two 40-minute blocks each day. After consultation with the children, each school chose a unique carving created by a local artist. The carvings, always an animal indigenous to Ontario, provide an identity to each play area. Some students have named their particular carving, acting as the school mascot in some instances.

In order to keep the project on budget, the design combined elements of naturalized yards with the existing asphalt pads, creating a hybrid version that provides fun opportunities of learning and discovery, and also promotes a re-connection with nature.

The scope of work included liaison with Board staff and representatives from all Authorities having jurisdiction, preparation of analysis with recommendations, proposals and designs, working drawings and specifications for tendering and construction, general review during construction, and all contract administration functions, including post occupancy to total completion and warranty period. The designs were in compliance with the applicable standards, guidelines and requirements to ensure safety. SDG has also assisted the Board with presentations and design workshops during project development.

Haig Sefarian, a graduate of University of Guelph and California’s Polytechnic School of Environmental Design has served our parks and green infrastructure sector in many ways over the years.

Haig founded the Seferian Design Group which continues to develop industry standards in Landscape Design and Construction. His firm, guided by his leadership, has assisted with accessibility design and construction guidelines for people with different abilities.

Haig is very generous with his time, especially when it involves educating the public on landscape design. Haig teaches how the use of both hardscape and horticulture can enhance our outdoor experience in both an aesthetic and practical manner. Examples of this are his hosting of the TV show Garden Architecture for HGTV as well as authoring a book on Hardscaping. Haig has previously been appointed by the Minister of Education as the chairman of the provincial Advisory Committee on Horticulture and was a Professor of Landscape Architecture at Humber College. Haig has been working with the Ontario Parks Association in helping to bring design skills to the participants of our Parks and Landscape course with the Learning Enrichment Foundation.

Haig’s generosity and sincere desire to share his knowledge are very much appreciated and are helping move our sector forward. Please join me in thanking Haig and welcoming him to come forward to accept his Award of Distinction.

Seferian Design Group received a Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence for their work on the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board Outdoor Kindergarten Childcare Renovations. The annual competition features more than 40 categories of entries judged by a panel of respected horticulture industry experts. Only those entries deemed truly excellent are honoured with awards. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) is one of the largest and most diverse districts in Ontario, operating 149 Elementary and Secondary Catholic schools throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville.

In 2015 , 22 schools were selected to have their Kindergarten Outdoor Areas renovated. The DPCDSB had a requirement: the transformation of plain, sterile asphalt yards into low-maintenance, yet dynamic outdoor learning environments, instead of just playgrounds. Former asphalt jungles were replaced with brightly coloured asphalt and soft turf, big outdoor blackboards, planters for gardening, dramatic play areas, and wooden stages. Painted mathematical shapes and the alphabet were provided to be used by the teachers as learning tools extended to the outside, where kindergarten kids are exposed to at least two 40-minute blocks each day.

After consultation with the kids, each school chose a unique carving created by a local artist. The carvings, always an animal indigenous to Ontario, provide an identity to each play area. In order to keep the project on budget, the design combined elements of naturalized yards with the existing asphalt pads, creating a hybrid version that provides fun opportunities of learning and discovery, and also promotes a re-connection with nature.

On November 12, 2015 Seferian Design Group as part of a multidisciplinary team received a City of Hamilton Urban Design Award in Excellence in Heritage Restoration for their work on Gage Park.

As one of Hamilton’s most iconic and historically rich landscapes, this park was designed in the 1920’s by Landscape Architects Dunnington-Grubb (early founders of the profession of Landscape Architecture in Canada). This 28 hectare City park required substantial restoration and preservation of significant features to ensure the unique character and historical integrity of the park is well maintained for future generations.

The restoration included the reconstruction of the 1927 feature fountain and reflecting pool. The park was upgraded with the installation of new mechanical systems, LED lighting fixtures, and plant material. Personal safety and comfort was enhanced by improving sightlines, illumination, and improved park attractions. It was necessary to integrate storm water management measures and use innovative low-impact techniques without altering or impacting the Park’s design intent. Restoration materials included brick and stone that maintained the architectural features of the park. Finally, a new bicycle pump track was installed to attract new visitors to the park.

The City congratulated the approach taken by the design team to both restore this historic park and make repairs to the functional systems of the park. The restoration respects the historical design intent of the park yet provides new elements to broaden its appeal.

Large historic parks are an important public amenity in dense urban areas. Gage Park stands out as a green gem in contrast with the built form that surrounds the park. The Jury stresses the importance of sustaining adequate public investments in these parks to both preserve their important historic elements and to allow these parks to evolve to be relevant to new generations of visitors.

The Ursula Franklin Academy opened in September 1995. UFA provides leadership in the creative use of information and communications technology to enhance learning and build a community. In 1999, Industry Canada, on the advice of the Canadian Association of School Administrators, designated UFA as one of 24 pioneer members of Canada’s Network of Innovative Schools (NIS).

SDG assisted the students and teachers in creating a four-season landscape design that will service the UFA community, the Bloor West Village community as well as local flora and fauna. Together the team solicited input from all parts of the community; students, teachers, the administration, parents, neighbours and Creative Corners, the on-site nursery. The students conducted surveys, held meetings, created wish lists and asked everyone to let their imaginations run “wild”, literally.

The entire project will be hand built, using up-cycled, salvaged, and sustainable products. The schoolyard master plan included an outdoor classroom, a ‘wander and wonder’ garden, spiral pathways, tree plantings, bike racks, ecological gardens, herb gardens, and a ‘Peace’ garden for quiet reflection and passive relaxation.

https://youtu.be/tr1AAKizkGQ

In January 2015, UFA in association with Ryerson University was awarded Design Challenge Champions by Come Alive Outside. The school will receive funding from the organization to implement their schoolyard design. Once completed, the Canadian Wildlife Federation has agreed to certify the space as ‘Wildlife Friendly’.

Winners of the 2013 Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) were announced at the 11th annual CNLA National Awards of Landscape Excellence ceremony in St. John’s, NL on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. Landscape Newfoundland and Labrador hosted the event in conjunction with its provincial Awards of Landscape Excellence. It was a fun evening with members, staff, volunteers and other distinguished guests gathered to celebrate the best in the industry.

The National Awards of Landscape Excellence are a way for Canada to recognize those companies that have actively participated in significantly raising the level of professionalism in the landscape industry.

Haig Seferian received a recognition Award for his dedication and leadership with the Certified Landscape Designer program.

The 2013 Chamber of Commerce Burlington Business Awards Gala was a great success with plenty of surprises and a very happy crowd. Over 425 people attended this year’s event held on April 11, 2013 at the Burlington Convention Centre. Seferian Design Group was awarded with the Small Business Excellence Award from the City of Burlington Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented by Shelly McQuade, Vice Chair at Burlington Chamber of Commerce. Staff members were hailed as the most creative Design Team in Burlington. During her presentation, Shelly noted that Seferian Design Group offers unique and inspiring landscape concepts for residential, commercial, environmental and special projects, including many public-space community projects.

The evening started with a special VIP champagne reception for award finalists, winners, sponsors and other VIPs. After a terrific cocktail reception and dinner the awards presentation began. Chamber President, Keith Hoey, MCd the event with award presentations made by Mayor Rick Goldring, John Chisholm of BEDC, Gord Langford of Tourism Burlington, and Shelley McQuade of the Chamber of Commerce.

We at Seferian Design Group are very proud to be part of the Burlington Community!

Built in 1978, the Burlington Art Centre (BAC) is a mecca of visual arts in the city. Each year over 100,000 people go to the BAC to view exhibitions, work in studios, use the facilities and participate in a variety of programs. Among its features, the BAC has a unique central courtyard. Despite its aesthetic appeal, the courtyard was not accessible to people with reduced mobility and was difficult to navigate for people with intellectual disabilities. An extensive courtyard accessibility project was completed.

The project received significant support from the City of Burlington and received over $200,000 of in-kind materials and labour from a number of community businesses co-ordinated by Seferian Design Group. The renewed BAC courtyard is a stunning outdoor oasis that can be enjoyed by everyone, and a model of community partners combining resources to meet an ambitious goal.