Tom Patterson Theatre's design wins Governor General's Medal

Hariri Pontarini Architects has won the Governor General’s Medal in Architecture for the design of the newly opened Tom Patterson Theatre.

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts made the announcement on June 6.

Designed by Siamak Hariri, the Tom Patterson Theatre was lauded as "an exceptional cultural building" by the jury.

"Finely crafted in sustainable and natural materials, this theatre embodies the spirit of the festival to celebrate the arts and promote a vital connection with community."

The Tom Patterson Theatre was near completion just as the world shut down in 2020, but the ribbons were cut on May 10 of this year.

This past Saturday, its boards were finally tread by the cast of Richard III, directed by Antoni Cimolino, who expressed his admiration for the new performance space.

"The Tom Patterson Theatre provides actors, directors and designers not only with the most perfect canvas but also with every instrument their imaginations might call upon to make a masterpiece."

The Governor General’s Medals in Architecture are given every two years to recognize and celebrate excellence in recently built – and designed – projects completed by Canadian architects.