Michael Green Architecture Wins The Royal Architecture Institute of Canada 2021 Architectural Firm Award

ADF04/14/2021≫ Architect≫ Award

RAIC 2021 Architectural Firm Award

Michael Green Architecture Named as The Winner of RAIC 2021 Architectural Firm Award

Michael Green Architecture (MGA), based out of Vancouver BC, is the recipient of The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) 2021 Architectural Firm Award. The award recognizes the achievements of a firm for its quality of architecture, service to clients, and innovations in practice. It also takes into account the firm’s contribution to architectural education and professional organizations, as well as public recognition.

Oregon State University Forest Science Complex – Peavy Hall
Exterior, Photo credit: Josh Partee

Notable projects from MGA include

North Vancouver Passive House Plus, North Vancouver, BC
Wood Innovation and Design Centre, Prince George, BC
The Dock Building, Vancouver, BC
Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, Vancouver, BC

North Vancouver City Hall – Exterior, Photo credit: Martin Tessler

MGA is one of the most internationally recognized architecture firms in Canada. Beyond the four Governor General’s Medals for Architecture and the two RAIC Awards for Architectural Innovation, they are recognized for their innovation in sustainable architecture and developing carbon-neutral buildings with advanced wood construction.

Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon – Exterior, Photo credit: Ed White

The firm was founded in 2012 by Michael Green, who is known for his research, leadership, and expertise in the tall wood movement and building with timber products. Green's work in mass timber construction is evident in both the firm's practice and in academic theory, with Green authoring ‘The Case for Tall Wood Buildings’ and popularizing the phrase ‘mass timber.’ Michael continued to share his passion for the environment and the case for building with wood through his 2013 TED Talk, Why We Should Build Wooden Skyscrapers.

In 2018, Natalie Telewiak became a Principal at MGA. With an education in architecture and engineering, Natalie brings an approach rooted in material logic. Together, Michael and Natalie run MGA from the office in Vancouver, British Columbia.

MGA provides a full scope of architectural services, from pre-design through to completion. Landscape architecture, interior design, and wayfinding are integrated into their process. From the variety of their projects, clients, and staff, the firm gathers knowledge from one type of building or interior and hand it to the next, avoiding cookie-cutter solutions for the same project type each time. MGA is adept at reinvigorating existing buildings through renovation, and they pursue high-performing, environmentally sensitive buildings for their clients. Graphic design, architectural rendering, and architectural model-making round out their services. Their clients and projects engage the local community and tackle climate change.

The Dock Building – Exterior Dusk View, Photo credit: Ema Peter

Jury Comment

Michael Green Architecture deserves recognition as a leading architectural firm because of their ability to consistently deliver leading-edge timber buildings, carefully designed to a high degree of aesthetics and performance. This firm shows its passion for innovation and sustainability through its many finely crafted wood buildings— and displays its commitment to education through the design-built studio held every year to expose young architects to the design and construction of actual structures.

They have distinguished themselves for their ability to translate focused material research and technical pursuits into a notable and innovative body of work that embodies a deep commitment to sustainability.

MGA has become one of the world’s leading voices on the future of wood design through their advocacy and in doing so, carry the banner for Canadian architecture internationally. In this sense, the work of Michael Green Architecture acts as an ambassador for Canadian architecture.