OAA Call for Entries: SHIFT 2023

The 2023 Challenges: Health and Architecture

As the world strives to emerge from a global pandemic, and Canada reflects on its current approaches to long-term care and other health spaces, architecture’s impacts on human wellbeing—negative and positive—have taken centre stage. From considering indoor environmental effects on bodies and minds to designing truly inclusive, accessible spaces, what role does the architecture profession play in supporting human health, both in Ontario and around the world?

The SHIFT2023 Challenge asks the profession to explore the intersection of architecture and human health, and examine how innovative ideas could improve happiness and well-being. At scales ranging from a room to a building to an entire city (or beyond), how can new architectural approaches offer better outcomes?

The SHIFT Architecture Challenge is a biennial Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) program created to highlight the distinct contribution the architectural profession can bring to addressing key societal issues. It aims to showcase the belief that good design and architectural thinking can bring about positive change

The program invites those with OAA status, and their collaborative teams, to respond to an identified area of concern using their skills and insights. Each edition of this program has a specific theme, having begun with the SHIFT 2019 Infrastructure/Architecture Challenge.