Two University of Waterloo architecture students, Matthew Dlugosz and Simon Liao, have been recognized for their outstanding design work at the 35th Toronto Urban Design Awards.
The prestigious awards, held on September 10, 2025, at the Palais Royale, celebrate projects that contribute to the beauty, functionality, and livability of Toronto. This year’s gala was hosted by Mayor Olivia Chow, alongside Jason Thorne, Executive Director and Chief Planner for the City of Toronto. An independent jury of architects, landscape architects, urban designers, and academics selected the winners from across the city.
Student Award of Excellence: Parkdale People’s Palace
Recipient: Matthew Dlugosz
Project Location: 240–250 Dunn Avenue
Matthew’s project, Parkdale People’s Palace, reimagines the Bonar-Parkdale Presbyterian Church as a non-secular site of social infrastructure. The design transforms the historic building into a community food hub, addressing food security and social needs in Parkdale. Features include a kitchen, gathering space, food co-op, and an outdoor plaza for markets and events.
Jury Comment:
“This well-resolved and relevant student project reimagines the church as a non-secular site of social infrastructure. Parkdale People’s Palace takes the Bonar-Parkdale Presbyterian Church and adapts it into a community food hub, a much-needed resource in Parkdale. A variety of programmatic elements—kitchen, gathering space, food co-op, and plaza for food markets and events—are the result of a thorough analysis of Parkdale People’s Economy report that outlined a vision for social amenities, cultural development and food security reflective of the community.”
Student Award of Merit: Queer Arrival Park
Recipient: Simon Liao
Project Location: 33 Isabella Street
Simon’s proposal, Queer Arrival Park, creates a welcoming space for QTPOC newcomer communities. Grounded in Participatory Action Research, the design integrates surveys, interviews, and focus groups to ensure community voices shaped the outcome.
Jury Comment:
“The Jury was impressed by the thorough Participatory Action Research methodology of surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus groups that serve as the foundation of the design proposal for Queer Arrival Park, which celebrates the presence of the QTPOC newcomer communities as well as addresses the barriers that they face feeling a sense of belonging and connection. The project represents a rare integration of social science research methods into the design process, resulting in a very nuanced understanding of community needs and desires.”
About the Toronto Urban Design Awards
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the Toronto Urban Design Awards recognize excellence in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design. This year, the jury selected 12 Awards of Excellence, nine Awards of Merit, and three Special Jury Awards. These awards showcase the transformative power of design in shaping inclusive, sustainable, and inspiring cities.