The deadline for Western Canada’s most anticipated design awards is just days away. Entries for the Western Living Designers of the Year 2026 close this Friday, April 17—no extensions will be granted.
Submissions require an entry fee, which includes a ticket to the September 10 awards gala at Vancouver’s Inform venue and a complimentary subscription to Western Living magazine. Winners will appear in the September issue, on the publication’s website, and across its social media platforms.
Finalists will be revealed live at Thermador in Vancouver on June 17. All nominees automatically qualify for the 2026 People’s Choice Awards. The competition covers multiple fields, including architecture, home interiors, outdoor spaces, furniture, industrial work, and maker projects. Two emerging talent awards honor the Arthur Erickson Memorial Award for architects and the Robert Ledingham Memorial Award for interior designers.
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Past winners say the awards have expanded their visibility and professional networks. Tanja Breadner and Lauren Bugliarisi of Marrimor Objects, last year’s Furniture Designers of the Year, noted the recognition “opened meaningful doors” and strengthened their brand in the local market. The event also provides a rare opportunity to celebrate industry achievements.
Who’s judging the Maker category
The jury for this year’s Maker category includes two leading figures in Canadian design: Paul Sangha and Joseph Fry.
Paul Sangha heads Paul Sangha Creative, a Vancouver-based studio with a global portfolio of private gardens, hospitality projects, and public spaces. Established in 1999, the firm prioritizes material integrity and proportion in its landscape-led approach. Sangha’s waterfront designs in Vancouver have redefined coastal aesthetics by combining sculptural elements with habitat restoration. A Fellow of the Canadian Society of Setting Architects, he has earned the UBC Faculty of Applied Science Dean’s Medal of Distinction and supports emerging talent through the studio’s annual scholarship.
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Joseph Fry, founding principal of Hapa Collaborative, brings over 32 years of experience to the panel. A strong advocate for civic placemaking, Fry has served on Vancouver’s Urban Design Panel, chaired Richmond’s equivalent body, and taught at UBC’s School of Architecture and Setting Architecture. He has dedicated himself to deepening the discussion around the economic, societal and environmental values of civic placemaking.
Both judges emphasize mentorship and public engagement. Sangha’s studio funds an annual scholarship, while Fry remains active in urban design discussions, teaching, and advocacy.
Their participation highlights the awards’ focus on projects that challenge conventions while staying connected to place and community. Designers who haven’t yet submitted should act quickly—the opportunity won’t return until next year.
