Bruce Kuwabara awarded honorary degree

The University of Waterloo awarded KPMB founding partner Bruce Kuwabara an honorary doctorate, the highest honour conferred by the University, at its spring convocation ceremony on June 15. 

Bruce Kuwabara is one of Canada's most outstanding architects and recipient of the RAIC Gold Medal and the OAA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2012, he became an Officer of the Order of Canada. Born in Hamilton, he graduated from the University of Toronto. He is also chair of the Board of Trustees for the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal. Kuwabara is the designer of Canada’s National Ballet School, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the TIFF Bell Lightbox and many others across North America. His influence is also felt locally as the designer of Kitchener City Hall, the Balsillie School of International Affairs and the Grand River Institution. He has taught at the Waterloo School of Architecture and has been generous in supporting its initiatives.

Honorary doctorates are presented to inspiring individuals who provide exceptional service or leadership and those who have made outstanding contributions to their discipline. This year’s recipients have made significant global and societal impact through their personal experiences and fields in computing, mathematics, science and environmental studies.

“Our new honorary doctorates are an inspiration to our graduates and our University community,” said Dr. Vivek Goel, the University’s president and vice-chancellor. “They are trailblazers and trendsetters and will undoubtedly inspire our new graduates to make a positive impact on the world.” 

“Your accomplishments in your chosen area of study will mean something if they serve the needs of society and make better lives for people,” Kuwabara said to the graduates. “Architecture and engineering have the potential to address the challenges of today and the future, to embrace reconciliation, support our common ground, and drive shared and equitable prosperity.” 

Bruce joins previous Architecture Honourary Degree recipients Phyllis Lambert, Kenneth Frampton, Morden Yolles, George Baird and Alison Brooks.