Read MoreHidden 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Just over 340 entries were judged by 18 industry experts from across the country, who each had certain categories to evaluate in blind judging.
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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.”
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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.”
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The big winners
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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.
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“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.”
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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.
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Casa Verde’s Laura McElligot says the team was honoured to take home so many wins. “It was an incredible night for our team.”
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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.
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Laurysen also won, with Minto, for the kitchen in last year’s CHEO lottery grand prize dream home (it also won both provincial andnational housing awards) plus three other kitchens.
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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.
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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.
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“The competition this year was fierce with many great finalists,” said RND founder Roy Nandram.
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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.”
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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.
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“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.”
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What’s trending
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There were several recurring themes, many of which continued trends from last year, such as arches, texture and wood.
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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.
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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.
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Texture and layers were also increasingly popular with several entries — including fluted details, slat walls, stone and textiles — to create inviting spaces.
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The winners
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Production home, attached, 2,000 sq. ft. or less:
Tamarack Homes, the Cardiff
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Production home, attached, 2,001 sq. ft. or more:
Cardel Homes, the Aspen
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Production home, single detached, under $900,000:
Urbandale Construction, the Hazelton
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Production home, single detached, $900,001 – $1,100,000:
Claridge Homes, the Portmarnock
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Production home, single detached, $1,100,001 or more:
Glenview Homes with West of Main Design, the Reveli
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New community:
Glenview Homes, Flagstaff
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Custom home, 3,000 sq. ft. or less:
Sonya Kinkade Design with Laurysen Kitchens
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Custom home, 3,001 sq. ft. or more:
Neoteric Developments
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Custom urban home, 3,200 sq. ft. or less:
Flynn Architect with Casa Verde Construction
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Custom urban home, 3,201 sq. ft. or more:
Flynn Architect with Casa Verde Construction
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Custom urban home, multi-unit:
RJH Architecture + Planning
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Low-rise apartment, condo or rental, up to 4 storeys:
Evospace Developments
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Mid- or high-rise apartment, condo or rental, 5 storeys or more:
Minto Communities with Raw Design, 88 Beechwood
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Condo or rental apartment suite, 800 sq. ft. and under:
Richcraft, the Carleton
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Condo or rental apartment suite, 801 – 1,500 sq. ft.:
Richcraft, the Deschenes
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Condo or rental apartment suite, 1,501 sq. ft. or more:
Simmonds Architecture
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Best common area:
Richcraft, Parkdale Collective
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Renovation, under $150,000:
RND Construction
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Renovation, $150,001 – $250,000:
Simmonds Architecture
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Renovation, $250,001 – $400,000:
Shean Architects with Cada Construction and Astro Design Centre
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Renovation, $400,001 – $650,000:
Amsted Design-Build
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Renovation, $750,001 – $1,000,000:
Shean Architects with Sheshko Construction
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Renovation, $1,000,001 and over:
Cada Construction
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Basement renovation:
Amsted Design-Build
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Production kitchen, 200 sq. ft. or less:
Sonja Kinkade Design with Tamarack Homes
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Production kitchen, 201 – 250 sq. ft.:
Sonya Kinkade Design with Tamarack Homes
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Production kitchen, 251 sq. ft. or more:
Minto Communities with Laurysen Kitchens, the Oasis
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Production bathroom:
Sonya Kinkade Design with Tamarack Homes
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Custom kitchen, 175 sq. ft. or less, traditional:
Maison Blonde Interiors
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Custom kitchen, 175 sq. ft. or less, contemporary:
Laurysen Kitchens
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Custom kitchen, 176 – 250 sq. ft., traditional:
CPI Interiors
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Custom kitchen, 176 – 250 sq. ft., contemporary:
Nathan Kyle Studio with Urban Quarry and Hanstone
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Custom kitchen, 251 sq. ft. or more, traditional, $100,000 and under:
Picasso Custom Homes with Laurysen Kitchens
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Custom kitchen, 251 sq. ft. or more, contemporary, $100,000 and under:
Laurysen Kitchens
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Custom kitchen, 251 sq. ft. or more, traditional, $100,001 and over (John Laurysen Memorial Trophy):
Sonya Kinkade Design with Laurysen Kitchens
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Custom kitchen, 251 sq. ft. or more, contemporary, $100,001 and over:
Nathan Kyle Studio
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Custom bathroom, 100 sq. ft. or less, traditional:
Nathan Kyle Studio
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Custom bathroom, 100 sq. ft. or less, contemporary:
Nathan Kyle Studio
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Custom bathroom, 101 sq. ft. or more, traditional:
Sonya Kinkade Design
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Custom bathroom, 101 sq. ft. or more, contemporary:
Flynn Architect with Tomic Construction and Cedar Ridge Designs & Custom Cabinetry
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Bathroom, powder room:
2H Interior Design with Hobin Architecture
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Housing details:
Flynn Architect with Casa Verde Construction
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Any room in the house:
Neoteric Developments
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Best home office:
Maison Blonde Interiors
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Exterior details:
RND Construction and Flynn Architect
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Exterior living space:
Modello Homes
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Alternative enclosed space:
25:8 Architecture + Urban Design
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Anywhere in the world:
Flynn Architect with Casa Verde Construction
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Best adaptive/inclusive design:
Flynn Architect with Casa Verde Construction
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Innovation award: Custom home of the year:
MBHE
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Innovation award: Renovation of the year:
RND Construction
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Innovation award: Towards net zero project:
MBHE
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Production builder of the year:
Minto
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Custom builder of the year:
Casa Verde Construction
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Renovator of the year:
Amsted Design-Build
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Designer of the year:
Flynn Architect
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All Things Home people’s choice award:
RND Construction
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