1. What is the SHIFT Architecture Challenge?

The SHIFT Architecture Challenge is an aspirational Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) program for highlighting the distinct contribution of the architecture profession to addressing key societal issues. It invites Ontario architects, interns, student associates, and their teams to respond to an identified area of concern. The program runs biennially (i.e. 2021, 2023, 2025) and has a different theme each year, having begun with the SHIFT 2019 Infrastructure/Architecture Challenge.

2. What is the theme for 2025?

The theme for the current edition of SHIFT is Reshaping Communities.

Altered climate patterns have heightened the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events in Canada and beyond. While political instability abroad, rapid technological advancements, and social change introduce uncertainty, they also present opportunities and innovative perspectives on how we can ensure people’s needs are met in times of urgency.

The SHIFT2025 Challenge asks the profession to explore how we can develop sustainable solutions that address the challenges posed by climate change and social shifts.

From urban revitalization and reconceptualization to adaptations responding to climate change and other emergencies, SHIFT2025 seeks your conceptual—but possible!—architectural ideas for our communities that enable all people to find stability, a sense of belonging, and hope.

3. Is a SHIFT submission centred around hypothetical ideas as a solution to a problem or are they supposed to be built solutions?

A built solution could be part of a submission to illustrate a practical example, but it is the aspirational idea or concept that can be widely applied to the Reshaping Communities theme that is the actual subject of the submission. Looking at some of the selected projects from 2023, 2021 and 2019 will provide some examples, and the OAA will be communicating other ideas and case studies throughout this year.

4. Why should I take part?

This program enables the architectural profession to be viewed by the public in a new light and reflects the capacity for design thinking to permeate all aspects of life.

Those selected will be part of presentations, publications, and a public awareness campaign, beginning with a special session at the 2025 OAA Annual Conference in Ottawa in May 2025.

5. Who can participate?

While submissions by teams of individuals—either emerging or established—from diverse professional backgrounds are encouraged, the team lead (i.e. spokesperson) must hold status with the OAA. This includes:

• architects;
• retired architects;
• intern architects; and
• student associates.

Other team members may include those from the design community and beyond, like community activists, politicians, subject matter experts, or institutional representatives.

The SHIFT2025 Reshaping Communities Challenge is not open to current members of the OAA Council or the Communications and Public Education Committee.

6. What do I need to do?

Submissions include three main components:

• text outlining an issue related to the concept of Reshaping Communities and how architectural thinking can address the topic (maximum 5,000 words);
• supporting images (maximum of 14 visuals, drawings, and/or photos); and
• video providing an overview of the submission (maximum length of three minutes).

Submit your entry using the Online submission site.

7. How are selections made?

Submissions will be evaluated for their ability to capture the public imagination and inspire new ways of thinking. The jury will review the submissions for clarity, excellence and quality of presentation in regard to five main criteria: innovation, social responsibility, inspiration, inclusivity, and holistic approach.

8. Who selects the SHIFT submissions?

The SHIFT2025 jury includes a diverse mix of practitioners from the architecture profession as well as allied fields. The five jurors are led by a jury facilitator in making selections. To learn more about these individuals, click here.

9. When is the deadline?

The deadline for all submissions is Friday, January 17, 2025.

10. What happens if my submission is chosen?

With the goal of increasing public dialogue, the chosen submissions will form the basis for a broader conversation on the issue promoted by the OAA, including exhibits, presentations, and publications.

For the 2023 edition, this included a book publication and media outreach as well as a speaking event in Sudbury. For 2025, new opportunities for media interviews, blogs, and publications will be assessed, as will targeting specific audiences and engaging in social community issues where the SHIFT ideas are applicable. Events are being planned for the OAA Annual Conference in Ottawa, as well as for Toronto later that year.

11. Does SHIFT replace the OAA Design Excellence Awards?

No, the SHIFT Architecture Challenge does not eliminate the Design Excellence Awards—in fact, in many ways, it complements them. SHIFT takes place in ‘odd-numbered’ years (i.e. 2019, 2021, 2023), while Design Excellence will be celebrated in ‘even-numbered’ years (i.e. 2018, 2020, 2022). For more information on this awards program, click here.