Daniels alumnus Bruce Kuwabara was recently honoured with an Order of Canada appointment. The three levels of the Order — companion, officer, and member — were established in 1967 during Canada’s centennial year to recognize a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community, and service to the nation. 

Kuwabara is well known at U of T, not only an alumnus of the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, but as the architect for the Rotman School of Management’s expansion project and the UTSC Faculty of Management. The founding partner at Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects was honoured with an officer appointment for his contributions to the architectural profession, to our built landscape and for his commitment to professional excellence.

Kuwabara is the design architect of several projects considered part of Toronto’s Cultural Renaissance including the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Canada’s National Ballet School, and the Gardiner Museum. This work has garnered international recognition for the city as a cultural destination and contributed to the rising profile of Canadian architecture. 

Kuwabara’s recent work also includes the ‘epic’ revival of the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa and a new paradigm for energy efficient architecture: Manitoba Hydro Place in Winnipeg. Future projects include George Brown College’s Waterfront Campus and a new building for the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan. Kuwabara is also the first Chair of the Waterfront Toronto Design Review Panel and sits on the board of directors for the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal.

Kuwabara is one of nine alumni, three University of Toronto faculty members, and two additional U of T benefactors who have been honoured with  year-end Order of Canada appointments. Fourteen of the 66 Canadians named to receive one of Canada’s highest civilian honours have ties to the University.