Twenty-five finalists have been selected in the City of Edmonton's Missing Middle Infill Design Competition, which were unveiled on Thursday. The competition, which we last reported on in January, seeks creative and unique designs for a real property located in the Spruce Avenue neighbourhood, in a scale between row housing to low-rise. These building forms are not being built as frequently as low density housing or high-rise buildings, which is where the name "missing middle" comes from.

Judges (L to R) Gene Dub, Alex Bozikovic, Hazel Borys, Renée Daoust, and Talbot Sweetapple, photo by Dave Sutherland

The judging panel were on hand to make the announcement on the 16th floor of EPCOR Tower. Judging the competition are Halifax architect Talbot Sweetapple, The Globe and Mail architecture critic Alex Bozikovic, planner and PlaceMakers President Hazel Borys, Montreal architect Renée Daoust, and Edmonton architect Gene Dub.

Treehouse Community, one of the finalists, image via City of Edmonton

The first place winner of the competition will receive a prize of $8,000, as well as the option to purchase and rezone the site in question in order to build their vision.

Sociaal Huis, one of the finalists, image via City of Edmonton

Meanwhile, second and third place finishers will receive $5,000 and $3,000 respectively.

3lms (pronounced 3 Elms), one of the finalists, image via City of Edmonton

The competition will also open up to the public for People's Choice awards, which will be accepting votes from April 15 to May 3. 

Spectrum, one of the finalists, image visa City of Edmonton

Following the voting process, the list of winners and runners up will be announced at a ceremony and reception on May 29.

Perusing the finalists, photo by Dave Sutherland

SkyriseEdmonton will continue to report on the competition as it progresses. Do you think a "missing middle" competition is a good idea? Let us know in the comments below!