Aqualuna condos in Toronto, being developed by Hines and Tridel, was named high- or mid-rise project of the year by the OHBA for 2019.

Repeat winners Tridel Corporation and Amsted Design-Build took top awards at the 2019 Ontario Home Builders’ Association Awards of Distinction.

The winners were announced this week at the OHBA’s annual conference, which was held in Collingwood.

Tridel was named Ontario Home Builder of the year for the fourth time. The Ontario Renovator of the Year honours went to Amsted Design-Build, marking the third such win for the Ottawa-based company.

Toronto-based Tridel earned the home builder honour for its organization-wide commitment to excellence and innovation, including new building concepts, support of employees, philanthropic efforts and community initiatives.

The Tridel W.I.S.E corporate social responsibility strategies focuses on four pillars: workforce, industry, society and environment. Last year, through the W.I.S.E program, over 120 Tridel employees participated in 35 charitable events.

In addition, Tridel’s charitable foundation BOLT, founded in 2009, has raised over $3.1 million for construction career youth engagement programs and has given out 342 scholarships.

Amsted Design-Build, which has been operating for more than 30 years, is also a community champion. Amsted is an active supporter of the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, Hospice Care Ottawa, Wear Red Fridays supporting Canadian troops and many more organizations.

Amsted also takes a holistic approach to green design by using sustainable materials throughout its designs.

In addition, Promus Ottawa, Amsted’s sister company, provides disaster restoration services across the region. The teams work together under one roof, sharing staff, resources and a corporate culture.

The 2019 Prestige Award winners also include:

* Project of the Year, Low-Rise: Treasure Hill Home Corp. for Charbonnel, Toronto;

* Project of the Year, High- or Mid-Rise: Hines, Tridel for Aqualuna, Toronto;

* People’s Choice Award: Acorn Developments for Limerick Point, Richmond Hill.

OHBA individual awards

OHBA also named recipients of a series of individual awards.

The 2019 OHBA Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Frank Giannone, president of FRAM Building Group. FRAM was among the pioneers who recognized the potential of building complete communities along transit lines, reducing the need for cars and easing congestion.

In 1989, at age 29, Giannone served as president of the Toronto Home Builders Association, now known as the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD).

In 2008, he was elected president of OHBA.

A fourth-generation builder, Giannone has a lifetime of experience in the residential construction industry which made him a valuable addition to the Tarion Warranty Corporation board of directors on which he served from 2010 to 2018.

“Frank is a home-building mentor to many and always has time to engage the next generation of builders interested in pursuing careers in our industry,” said OHBA president Bob Schickedanz in a release announcing the awards.

“As a longstanding industry advocate and #homebeliever champion, Frank has given his time, talent and expertise to support our industry, our associations and his community and (is) a very well-deserving recipient of this honour.”

OHBA presented the Hamilton-Halton Home Builders’ Association (HHHBA) with the 2019 Local Association of the Year Award.

Through programs including the Women in Industry (WII), HHHBA works with community colleges, universities, high schools and local job fairs to help find, train and retain the next generation.

In addition, HHHBA has worked closely with OHBA on initiatives related to the Growth Plan, Conservation Authority and Bill 108 (the More Home, More Choice Act).

Bob Ridley, past-president of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association, was honoured as the 2019 OHBA Member of the Year. Ridley played a vital leadership role this year as the provincial association developed a visionary strategic plan.

“His hard work and dedication to our association and the members is not only to be commended but is the embodiment of what we stand for as an association – our grassroots philosophy – members helping members,” said Schickedanz in the release.

Roy Nandram, owner of RND Construction Inc. and president of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association Association, received the 2019 Rooftopper of the Year Award, recognizing an association member who played a significant role in growing membership.

The full list of winners and finalists is available at https://www.ohbaaod.ca/winners-finalists/.

OHBA is the voice of the residential construction industry in Ontario, representing 4,000 member companies organized into 29 local associations across the province.