Shim-Sutcliffe Architects is an architecture and interior design firm based in Toronto, Canada. It was founded in 1994 by University of Toronto professor Brigitte Shim and her partner Howard Sutcliffe.
Education and Early Career
Brigitte Shim and Howard Sutcliffe met at the University of Waterloo where they both received degrees in environmental studies and architecture. Although Shim-Sutcliffe was officially established in 1994, the founders had previously collaborated since the early 1980s. They mostly worked on small scale, architectural furniture until they worked on Laneway House in 1993. The firm has since grown to a staff of 8, and has won many national and international awards for their work. The project types range from residential, to religious spaces, to commercial spaces, located locally as well as internationally.
Publications
Shim-Sutcliffe has their work published in a wide variety of mediums since established. Works published by Shim-Sutcliffe include:
Site Unseen: Laneway Architecture & Urbanism in Toronto by Brigitte Shim & Donald Chong, 2004
1996 Governor General Award for Architecture: Craven Road House, Toronto, Ontario
2001 Wood Design Award of Merit: Moorelands Camp Dining Hall/Kitchen, Lake Kawagama, Ontario
2001 Wood Design Award of Honour: Muskoka Boathouse, Lake Muskoka, Ontario
2002 Governor General Award for Architecture: Moorelands Camp Dining Hall, Lake Kawagama, Ontario
2003 City of Toronto Architecture and Urban Design Award of Excellence for 'Visions and Master Plans' for Site Unseen Laneway Architecture and Urbanism in Toronto
2004 Governor General Award for Architecture: Weathering Steel House, Toronto, Ontario
2004 Governor General Award for Architecture: Muskoka Boathouse, Lake Muskoka, Ontario
2012 Governor General Award for Architecture: Integral House, Toronto, Ontario
2012 North American Wood Design Award of Honor: Integral House, Toronto, Ontario
2014 Governor General Award for Architecture: Residence for the Sisters of St. Joseph Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
2014 Faith and Form Religious Architecture - New Facilities Award: Residence for the Sisters of St. Joseph Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
2014 City of Toronto Heritage Toronto Award of Excellence: Residence for the Sisters of St. Joseph Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
2015 Design & Health International Academy of Design and Health, Award for International Health Project: Residence for the Sisters of St. Joseph Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
2015 Design & Health International Academy of Design and Health, Award for Sustainable Urban and Built Environment: Residence for the Sisters of St. Joseph Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
2016 Governor General’s Medal for Architecture: Wong Dai Sin Temple, Markham, Ontario
2017 Toronto Urban Design Award of Merit, Private Buildings in Context - Low Scale: Urban Infill in the Village of Yorkville, Toronto, Ontario
Notable Projects
1988: Garden Pavilion and Reflecting Pool
1989: House on Horse Lake
1994: Laneway House
1995: Craven Road House
1999: Muskoka Boathouse
2000: Moorelands Camp Dining Hall
2001: Weathering Steel House
2004: Ravine Guest House and Reflecting Pool
2004: Corkin Gallery
2006: Craven Road Studio
2009: Integral House
2013: Residence for the Sisters of St. Joseph Toronto
Shim-Sutcliffe Architects also debuted specialty furniture and lighting items for their clients. Most well known is the HAB Collection that is currently manufactured and distributed by Nienkämper. Another popular item from the pair is the Firefly lamp which is meant to resemble fireflies in a mason jar that glows even after the lamp is turned off.
