Catherine Nasmith
2023 recipient of the Eric Arthur Lifetime Achievement Award
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For over 40 years, Catherine Nasmith has made significant contributions to Canadian urbanism and more specifically the conservation of Ontario’s built environment as a heritage architect. She is a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, received the Ontario Association of Architects Order of Da Vinci in 2005, the Jane Jacobs Award in 2010, and two Queen’s Jubilee medals for contributions to Ontario heritage.
Catherine studied architecture at the University of Toronto, and in 1978 she and Kim Storey organized a student ideas competition for adaptive re-use of the Don Jail. This exemplified her passion for heritage buildings from a young age, and was only the start of her career. In 1991, Catherine established her own architecture practice which she continues to run and as a sole practitioner she has worked on many heritage buildings.
Collaborating with many others over the years, she has worked to civilize the Front Street extension, put Fort York at the centre of a new neighbourhood, and revive Toronto’s Main Streets. Built projects include the Alton Mill for Seaton Group, an adaptive re-use of a derelict stone mill for arts purposes.
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Catherine Nasmith at the Alton Mill 
The Alton Mill viewed across the mill pond
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Her history of past affiliations is extensive, including Chair of the Toronto Preservation Board, Board Member of Heritage Toronto, Board Member of Heritage Canada (now the National Trust for Canada), Past VP of the Toronto Society of Architects, founding member of Friends of Fort York, founding member of the Main Streets Advocacy Group, and Past President of the Niagara Neighbourhood Association.
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The advocacy to save the Concourse Building in Toronto led to the changes to the Ontario Heritage Act in 2005 
Signing a publicity poster of the 2005 Amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act
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Catherine’s work goes far beyond professional consulting, and extends into advocacy and volunteerism. Frustrated by the loss of Ontario’s valuable building stock, as chair of the Toronto Preservation Board, and later as a member of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario executive, she campaigned successfully to strengthen the Ontario Heritage Act in the early 2000s. She has been involved with ACO for more than 25 years, serving twice as President of ACO, twice as Chair of the Toronto Branch (where she founded TOBuilt), and helped establish the Muskoka branch. Catherine is also one of the founders of the Doors Open Toronto program, helping to expand it across Ontario and Canada.
Last but not least, Catherine is a mentor and educator. She published Built Heritage News for 20 years, continuing to issue periodic newsletters, and helps keep communities informed. Not only does she have extensive knowledge, but she willingly shares it with others and supports emerging professionals.
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