Prix du XXe Siècle

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and the National Trust for Canada aim to raise public awareness about important modern architecture of the 20th century in Canada. The 20th Century Award celebrates design quality and lasting excellence by recognizing the original architect(s) or architectural firm(s) responsible for the design, as well as the responsible and ongoing stewardship by the building’s owner(s).

Any existing building constructed in the 20th century.

An expert committee will be established and maintained by the RAIC and the National Trust for Canada, and will include a minimum of three (3) individuals specializing in the history and heritage of modern Canadian architecture.

A call for volunteers will be issued by the RAIC and the National Trust. The RAIC and the National Trust will select the expert committee from this call. Diversity and regional representation will be encouraged during the selection of committee members. Members will be appointed for renewable three-year terms. The terms will be staggered to ensure continuity..

The expert committee will develop and maintain a list of buildings eligible for the annual 20th Century Awards. Buildings may be nominated by professionals as well as by the public, for review by the expert committee.

To be submitted via the RAIC online submission platform.

Name of the proposed building

Address/location of the building in Canada

Architect(s) responsible for the project

Year of construction

Client/owner of the building – Name, phone number, email address

Up to 20 images (including key plans, sections, elevations, details, and photographs) documenting the exterior and interior of the building

Completed image index, including captions and full credits for each image

Short text describing the significance of the building (maximum 500 words)

Bibliographic information

Links to archival sources

Proposals may be submitted in English or French. All submissions will be retained by the RAIC for publication, exhibition, and archival purposes. Once the online submission process is started, you can save your work and return at a later date to complete your submission (before the deadline).

Each year, the expert committee will select up to three (3) projects to receive the 20th Century Award. The selected projects will be documented with up to 20 images (including key plans, sections, elevations, details, and photographs) illustrating the exterior and interior of the building. The documentation will include a short text describing the significance of the building, bibliographic information, and links to archival sources. This material will be used to provide documentation to the general public.

The following selection criteria will be considered for the 20th Century Award:

• The building(s) hold international, national, and/or regional significance;
• The building(s) remain a lasting architectural work and an asset to the built environment;
• The qualities of the building may reflect: conceptual originality, technical progress, innovation for its time, and/or symbolic significance;
• The building(s) have been preserved over time through sensitive management of their original qualities;

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A maximum of three awards will be given. At its discretion, the committee may choose not to award any prizes.

The award is offered annually. The 20th Century Award will be presented at a public event.

The presentation will be made in collaboration with the RAIC and the National Trust for Canada.

The RAIC and the National Trust for Canada will provide a commemorative plaque to be installed in a prominent location outside the building.

Submission files must be received by 10:00 PM EST on January 9, 2026. Participants are fully responsible for ensuring their submission is delivered on time. This deadline is strict, and no exceptions will be granted.