Since 2011, Azure Magazine has recognized projects from around the world that push design beyond aesthetics, towards something more meaningful. The AZ Awards Social Good category, in particular, highlights work that actively advances equity, sustainability, and the well-being of communities. It’s a space reserved for projects that don’t just respond to need, but help redefine what responsible design can look like in practice.

This year, 1120 Ossington has been named a finalist for the AZ Awards Social Good Award.

Designed for St.Clare’s Multifaith Housing Society, this three-storey, 25-unit development was created in response to a very real and urgent need: transitional, affordable housing in Toronto. But more than that, it reflects a broader belief that housing should be designed with the same care, dignity, and long-term thinking as any other building.

We see projects like 1120 Ossington as part of a broader responsibility. Housing is more than a building type – it is essential infrastructure that supports stability, health, and opportunity. That means staying engaged through complexity, working closely with non-profit partners, and delivering solutions that are practical, durable, and grounded in real community needs.

Being named a finalist is meaningful for lots of reasons – not just for being recognized alongside other thoughtful projects across Canada and the world, but as confirmation that this approach matters. It reflects the value of design that prioritizes equity, collaboration, and long-term impact.

It is a reminder that when we design with intention, we’re contributing to something much bigger than a single project.

Learn more about the AZ Awards, and Vote for the People’s Choice!