Site | Light | Cadence | Space: Arthur Erickson Revisited – 2024.07.10
July 10, 2024 from 7:00–9:00pm
Reception + Presentation
Presented by the West Coast Modern League
with the West Vancouver Art Museum and The Polygon Gallery
Supported by euoi studio | architecture + design
Main Floor Gallery, The Polygon Gallery, 101 Carrie Cates Ct., North Vancouver, BC
The West Coast Modern League marked the centenary of Canada’s pre-eminent architect Arthur Erickson, through the lens of designers who have revisited his work, at this year’s West Coast Modern Week.
This year marks the centenary of Canada’s pre-eminent architect Arthur Erickson. Vancouver-born and raised, Erickson developed an interest first in the arts and then in the study of architecture, leading to an eclectic career with international impact that spanned six decades and produced some of Canada’s most iconic structures. Erickson defined site, light, cadence, and space as his four first principles of architecture, elements that are each critical to the understanding of his design explorations. From these, he created some of our region’s most cherished modern buildings, from single-family residences to our most significant cultural and civic spaces.
The West Coast Modern League with the West Vancouver Art Museum and the The Polygon Gallery celebrated the centenary and the built legacy of Arthur Erickson through the lens of local designers who have revisited the famed architect’s work. We were joined by Daina Augaitis, Clinton Cuddington, Geoffrey Erickson, and Nick Milkovich who shared their work on Smith House II, Filberg House, and the Museum of Anthropology, respectively. Through active renewal and preservation, this group has helped to shepherd these iconic structures forward, working to safeguard their physical longevity and continued inspiration for future generations.
Meet the Speakers
Daina Augaitis
Daina was Chief Curator /Associate Director at the Vancouver Art Gallery where she led the exhibiting, collecting and publishing activities for almost two decades. She currently serves on the Board of The Audain Foundation and the Simon Fraser University Galleries Committee, and undertakes free-lance curatorial and writing projects.
Photo by Rachel Topham
Clinton Cuddington
Clinton is the Founder and co-Principal of Measured Architecture. Prior to forming Measured in 2007 Clinton had amassed an impressive public architecture pedigree, including nine years as an architect for Bing Thom Architects working on commissions that included the redevelopment of the Arena Stage Theatre in Washington, DC, and the Surrey Campus of Simon Fraser University. In Measured, Clinton has actualized his vision to create a firm where architects can engage and collaborate with clients, builders and other artisans to create outcomes that surpass the sum of the individuals involved. It’s here Clinton is able to combine his hardearned traditional architectural roots and technical skill with the learned core values from his past that he holds dear. Among those values are a duty of care to the environment — which Measured exercises through its continuous pursuit of local, sustainable materials and partnerships with local craftspeople — and a sense of responsibility to clients that manifests in trust relationships and, ultimately, the delivery of authentically functional, enduring and beautiful spaces.
Geoffrey Erickson
Geoffrey is one of Arthur Erickson’s nephews and a partner in Studio Erickson with Christopher Erickson. He is a director on the board of the Arthur Erickson Foundation, and looks after the Erickson Family Collection archives. Since graduating from the Ontario College of Art & Design in 1984 Geoffrey has worked primarily in interior design. Prior to that he studied design at the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, and the Vancouver School of Art. In 1982 he started working for Arthur Erickson Architects in Toronto, and has documented AEA projects around the world. He helped pioneer early 3D modelling and design on computers which lead to the formation of EG Productions in 1992, producing videos with Emmy Award animator Cliff Garbutt. He has curated and edited three books on Arthur Erickson’s work, and co-created arthurerickson.com.
Nick Milkovich
Nick was born in Vancouver and began his architectural journey at UBC, where Arthur Erickson was one of his instructors. In 1968, Nick graduated from UBC and joined Erickson/Massey. In 1972, he joined Arthur Erickson Architects, becoming an Associate in 1979 and Director of Design in 1987. Nick spent many decades as a core member of Erickson’s design team, particularly on custom house commissions. His early contributions also include significant cultural and civic projects such as the award-winning Museum of Anthropology at UBC and the Law Courts in downtown Vancouver. In 1991, Nick founded Nick Milkovich Architects, where Erickson worked as a consultant until his passing in 2009. Nick Milkovich Architects has a diverse portfolio of urban design projects, public buildings, and residential developments in North America and Asia. The firm has received awards for the Waterfall Building, Creekside Community Centre, Museum of Glass, and RCMP Heritage Centre. Nick was elevated to RAIC fellowship in 1997 and received the AIBC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
Photo by Jane Thompson
Featured Projects
About the Festival
West Coast Modern Week
West Coast Modern Week is a yearly celebration of West Coast Modernism, a distinct architectural style with deep roots in West Vancouver. Surrounded by forested mountains, an expansive ocean, and a lush rainforest, this natural setting presents unique challenges and opportunities that are reflected in the local architecture. Presented by the West Vancouver Art Museum, West Coast Modern Week’s events included talks, exhibitions, parties, and a unique Home Tour offering access to local, architecturally-significant homes.
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In the News:
- Effort continues to save peculiar home of Arthur Erickson. Nick Laba. July 8, 2024. Vancouver is Awesome.
- Vancouver celebrates centenary of the birth of renowned late architect Arthur Erickson with a year of programming. Gail Johnson. July 5, 2024. Stir Vancouver.
- Arthur Erickson Foundation launches celebrations of AE100 centennial. June 14, 2024. Canadian Architect.
- June 14 to be recognized as Arthur Erickson Day in celebration of the late, great architect. Vicki Duong. June 12, 2024. The Georgia Straight.
- To Save the Iconic Museum of Anthropology He Had to Destroy It. Adele Weder. June 10, 2024. The Tyee.
- West Coast Modern Week Announces 2024 Programming. Gail Johnson. May 10, 2024. Stir Vancouver.
- West Coast Modern Week 2024 Preview. Ken McIntyre. May 10, 2024. Modtraveler.net