City architect to be honoured with national award

Winnipegger Ken Borton is being recognized by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) for his excellence in design, leadership and service, demonstrating that Canadian architects don’t need to go abroad to produce innovative work.

Borton has been chosen to receive the 2019 RAIC Young Architect Award. The 39-year-old graduated from the University of Manitoba’s faculty of architecture in 2007. Shortly after an internship in Montreal, Borton returned to Winnipeg in June 2007 and joined 5468796 Architecture as its first employee.

Now an associate at the firm, Borton’s work and contributions can be seen throughout Winnipeg and beyond. At the foot of the Disraeli Bridge lies one of Borton’s firm’s designs, 62M, or the condominiums that bear a resemblance to a UFO.

However, this isn’t the first time Borton’s work has been recognized. During his 11 years with 5468796 Architecture, he has been a design and project architect on various award-winning projects, such as the James Avenue Pumping Station, Guertin Boatport, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria design competition and Bloc_10, a reinvention of the market-driven condominium.

Bloc_10’s unique design featured both north and south views that transformed the units and earned 5468796 Architecture its first Governor General’s Medal in Architecture.

"Through his extraordinary design talent and unyielding pursuit of innovation in architecture, he has become an irreplaceable part of what defines 5468796 and will play a key role in defining our future," says 5468796 Architecture co-founder Johanna Hurme, fellow of the RAIC.

The RAIC represents 5,000 members and works to demonstrate how design enhances quality of life while addressing important issues of society through responsible architecture.

The five-person jury of the Young Architect Award noted Borton’s influence in both the world of architecture and in Winnipeg.

"Kenneth has played an instrumental role in many of 5468796 Architecture’s projects that have garnered awards and recognition across the industry and are developing the architectural landscape of Winnipeg. His contributions have been key in shaping the design direction and growth of the firm," a statement from the jury said.

The Young Architect Award is given to architects 40 years old or younger to inspire architectural graduates to become licensed and strive for excellence in their work. The annual awards will be presented from Oct. 26 to 30 at the RAIC Festival of Architecture in Toronto.

nadya.pankiw@freepress.mb.ca