Image courtesy Ryerson University

The new Ryerson Sports and Recreation Centre is planned to be built at Maple Leaf Gardens as part of the school's master plan.

Toronto's Ryerson University has been awarded an American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2010 Institute Honor Award for Regional and Urban Design for the school's master plan.

The award was presented to the team of Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects (KPMB) and Daoust Lestage, in association with Greenberg Consultants and IBI Group.

The Ryerson plan is the only Canadian project to receive an AIA Honor Award this year.

The award recognizes distinguished achievements involving the expanding role of the architect in urban design, regional and city planning, and community development. The accolade identifies projects and programs contributing to the quality of these environments.

Ken Greenberg, principal at Greenberg Consultants, said with its location in the heart of downtown, Ryerson faces some severe constraints, but also had some unique opportunities for intensely urban solutions.

"It is extremely gratifying to see that the key concepts in this Master Plan are already bearing fruit in a highly innovative urban project that will contribute positively to its downtown setting, such as the Student Learning Centre at Yonge and Gould, the pedestrianization of Gould Street, and the adaptive reuse of part of Maple Leaf Gardens."

For more information, visit www.ryerson.ca/about/masterplan.