Interdisciplinary design firm HCMA has been recognized in multiple categories at Fast Company’s 2022 Innovation by Design Awards for its work on Clayton Community Centre in Surrey, British Columbia.
Clayton Community Centre is the winner in Spaces and Places, a finalist in the General Excellence category and received an honourable mention in three other categories: Accessible Design, Experience Design and Sustainability.
The Innovation by Design Awards honour the designers and businesses solving the most crucial problems of today and anticipate the pressing issues of tomorrow. The competition, now in its 11th year, features a range of blue-chip companies, emerging startups, and hungry young talents. It is one of the most sought-after design awards in the industry.
“From the earliest stages of the process, we wanted Clayton Community Centre to seamlessly integrate arts, library and recreation activities, to achieve very high environmental performance and to be an inclusive, safe, and equitable place for everyone. So, it’s an honour to be recognized at Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards, not only for the design of the space but also for its experience, sustainability and accessibility,” says Melissa Higgs, HCMA principal.
Combining world-leading environmental standards with equally ambitious social inclusivity goals, Clayton Community Centre unites recreation, library, arts and outdoor spaces into a truly integrated facility. Alongside this recognition, Clayton Community Centre (76,000 sqft / 7,060 sqm) achieved International Passive House certification for ultra-low energy use in December 2021, making it the first of its kind to be certified in North America and the largest non-residential project to be certified in North America.
“Over the last few years, at HCMA we have challenged ourselves and our clients to design spaces that really are for everyone and that create positive social impact. Recognition at Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards is a welcome validation of our approach and fuel to our fire,” said Darryl Condon, HCMA managing principal.
