Marianne McKenna and Shirley Blumberg named 2025 RAIC Gold Medal recipients
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April 9, 2025
We’re thrilled to share that founding partners Marianne McKenna and Shirley Blumberg have each received Gold Medals from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) for their individual and collective contributions to the field of architecture and design in Canada and the United States.
For nearly 40 years, McKenna and Blumberg’s leadership and design excellence has shaped the built environment, advanced responsible architecture, and inspired future generations of architects.
McKenna is renowned for her work on educational, cultural, and workplace projects that emphasize connectivity, community building, and sustainability. In 2012, she was named an Officer of the Order of Canada for creating “architecture that enriches the public experience,” and in 2021, she became the first woman to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Design Futures Council.
Her portfolio includes landmark projects such as the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning in Toronto, the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and The Brearley School in New York City. Her approach to architecture and design balances preservation and modernization to create spaces that inspire and endure.
A Member of the Order of Canada for her “commitment to creating spaces that foster a sense of community,” Blumberg is recognized for her work on academic and cultural institutions and affordable housing. Her projects — like the Toronto Community Housing Corporation’s 150 Dan Leckie Way, the Harrison McCain Pavilion for the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, and the upcoming Montreal Holocaust Museum — reflect a deep commitment to social equity and community.
Blumberg is committed to empowering the next generation of architects and designers. At KPMB, she championed the firm’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiative. She also initiated the formation of BEAT (Building Equality in Architecture Toronto), a grassroots initiative to promote equality for women in the profession and a winner of the 2024 RAIC Advocate for Architecture Award.
Together, McKenna and Blumberg have helped “shape the trajectory of [KPMB] and profoundly influenced the architectural landscape in Canada and beyond,” founding partner Bruce Kuwabara said. Their projects have earned international acclaim, reinforcing Canada’s global reputation for innovative and socially conscious design.
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