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EventsWCML EventWest Coast Modernism in Context – 2022.07.05

West Coast Modernism in Context – 2022.07.05

Category : Lecture, WCML Event

July 5, 2022 from 7:00pm–9:00pm PDT

Reception + Panel Discussion
Presented by the West Coast Modern League
In partnership with the West Vancouver Art Museum
and The Polygon Gallery

The West Coast Modern League, in partnership with the West Vancouver Art Museum and The Polygon Gallery, presented a conversation with eminent designers David Battersby, Lisa Bovell, Joseph Fry, Paul Merrick, and Peeroj Thakre, moderated by Chelsea Grant, critically contextualizing the fundamental relationships between midcentury West Coast Modernism and contemporary architecture and design practice. This event was presented as the kickoff to the inaugural West Coast Modern Week, organized by the West Vancouver Art Museum.

For the better part of a century, West Coast Modernism has played a seminal role in shaping the culture of modern architecture and design on the south coast of British Columbia. The 1941 B.C. Binning House, recognized as the first modern house in Vancouver, was designed at a time when the ideas of international modernism were being embraced on the west coast, while local designers experimented with evolving these ideals to be more reflective of our region’s unique conditions. The circumstances under which we design and build today are vastly different from those faced by the pioneering vanguard of West Coast Modernism, with seismic shifts in technological, social, and climatic conditions, among others. So, we asked, is West Coast Modernism indicative of a period that has come and gone or is it a design ethos whose values continue to endure in contemporary design and lifestyles today?

 

The Panelists

  • David Battersby | Principal, BattersbyHowat Architects
  • Lisa Bovell | Principal, McLeod Bovell Modern Houses
  • Joseph Fry | Principal, Hapa Collaborative
  • Paul Merrick | Design Consultant, Merrick Architecture – Borowski Sakumoto McIntyre and Webb
  • Peeroj Thakre | Principal,Ph5 Architecture

 

 

West Coast Modernism in Context. July 5, 2022. The Polygon Gallery. [Left] Joseph Fry, Peeroj Thakre, Paul Merrick, Lisa Bovell, David Battersby, Chelsea Grant.

 

This event was presented as part of the inaugural West Coast Modern Week 2022 organized by the West Vancouver Art Museum.

 


Meet the Panelists

David Battersby is a founding principal at BattersbyHowat Architects Inc. Established in 1996, and helmed by David Battersby and Heather Howat, BattersbyHowat is a full-service architectural practice that specializes in a multidisciplinary approach to design. As partners and friends for over 25 years, David and Heather are registered professional Architects in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia and hold combined degrees that encompass Architecture, Landscape Design, and Interior Design. The studio’s holistic approach to design influences every aspect of their work to ultimately form an integrated whole. This approach is at the center of BattersbyHowat’s efforts to produce work that is highly regarded for its design merit and sustainable attributes.

 

Lisa Bovell studied geography at the University of British Columbia where she received a Bachelor of Applied Science prior to obtaining a Master of Architecture from the same university. She met her eventual business partner Matt McLeod in the same program and the two went on to establish McLeod Bovell Modern Houses in 2008. Since then, the firm —which specializes in modern custom homes sited on steep lots with arresting views—has grown to include a group of 14 designers with diverse backgrounds.

 

Joseph Fry is the founding principal of Hapa Collaborative, and a vocal advocate for Vancouver’s public realm and the role of the landscape architecture, and is dedicated to deepening our collective understanding and investment in civic placemaking. His professional offices have included chair of the Richmond Advisory Design Panel, member of the Vancouver Advisory Urban Design Panel, director of the BC Society of Landscape Architects, and adjunct professor with the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the University of British Columbia. Joe is a coach, a parent, a volunteer and a committed participant in our City’s discussion about design and the public realm. His work spans the full spectrum of the profession including large-scale master planning, landscape urbanism, commemorative landscapes, detailed design and construction supervision.

 

Paul Merrick is an original co-founder of the practice now Merrick Architecture – Borowski Sakumoto McIntyre and Webb, a fellow of the RAIC, and recipient of the AIBC Lifetime Achievement Award. Paul conceived and directed much of the award-winning work of the Practice beginning in 1984. He remains a respected mentor for all of the practice’s staff, and, beyond the retirement of his ownership in 2010, continues to provide a valued contribution to the ongoing work of both studios as a Senior Design Consultant. Paul offers a widely-acknowledged reputation as a gifted and collaborative architect and urban designer, established early in his career, as Practice Chair of the acclaimed Vancouver firm Thompson Berwick and Pratt, which during the 1970s led to work across Canada and internationally.

 

Peeroj Thakre is a founding principal of Ph5 Architecture. The studio embraces the complexities of site, program, economic and technical requirements. Through analysis and creative thinking, we identify synergies and forge cohesive designs that operate in harmony with the natural, built, and cultural environment. In their work, they collaborate with communities and artists to articulate social, cultural, and historical practices through design.

Peeroj is committed to clear communication and consensus building with project stakeholders. Her design approach is a blend of pragmatism and idealism that leads to successfully realized projects, enhanced spatial and social interactions, and environments. She is active in the architecture community, as a frequent adjunct professor and guest critic at UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, mentor, and urban thinker. Her work has been recognized with an RAIC advocacy award.

 

Meet the Moderator

Chelsea Grant is an architect, founding principal of euoi studio | architecture + design, and a board member at the West Coast Modern League. Launched in 2019, euoi studio is a collaboration of Chelsea Grant and Steve Gairns, a design-oriented practice that uses an inclusive and playful methodology to enhance the private and public realms, inspire the unexpected, and create meaningful spatial experiences. The studio has a special focus on custom residential spaces, festival and event design, and site-specific public installations. Chelsea is an extroverted, collaborative, and people-oriented designer with a deep appreciation for west coast culture and living. Her research has focused on the intersections of architecture, festival, and the role that public gatherings play in fostering social inclusivity.


 

For Comments & Inquiries:

Please email [email protected]

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In the News:

  • What is West Coast Modern architecture, and how is the iconic style relevant today? Nick Laba. July 10, 2022. North Shore News.
  • West Coast Modernism is a distinct style of architecture with roots in British Columbia. The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn. July 5, 2022. CBC Radio 1.
  • Design experts contextualize West Coast Modernism, at the Polygon on July 5. June 29, 2022. Stir Magazine.
  • West Coast Modern Week Returns: Here’s What to Expect. Caitlin Goff. June 29, 2022. NUVO Magazine.
  • West Coast Modern Week unveils 2022 lineup. Gail Johnson. June 13, 2022. Stir Magazine.

 

The West Coast Modern League gratefully acknowledges the partnership and generous support of the West Vancouver Art Museum and The Polygon Gallery. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


About West Coast Modern Week

West Coast Modern Week

From July 5 to 10, 2022, West Coast Modern Week offers many opportunities to learn about West Coast Modernism, an architectural style with deep roots in West Vancouver. Perched between forested mountains and expansive ocean, in a rainforest climate, West Vancouver’s natural setting presented unique challenges and opportunities that came to be reflected in the local architecture. Presented by the West Vancouver Art Museum with its partners and sponsors, West Coast Modern Week’s events include talks, exhibitions, parties, and a Home Tour showcasing local, architecturally-significant homes. For other West Coast Modern Week events, please visit:

westvancouverartmuseum.ca

 

 

 
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In its current state, the Challier House admittedl In its current state, the Challier House admittedly presents many challenges. With a considerable investment, it has potential. Back in its day, the design exuded modern elegance and a gentle insertion into its cliffside setting. It has a natural sophistication in its bones.

Of the design, “the steep and rocky site presented a challenge to architect Jim Tettamanti. The easiest part was the front thirty feet. Behind this was a dome of rock. Tettamanti came up with an open-V floor plan that angled to the view, and placed the entrance and bedroom wing parallel to the road on a shallow stone foundation. The other arm of the V extended over the hill and provided a recreation room on the lower level opening to the extensive concrete deck and swimming pool. From the road the low-level, flat-roof house presents a modest profile with few windows. On the view side, however, the V-shaped plan exposes the spacious indoor and outdoor living areas to one of the finest setting in the Lower Mainland.”[1]
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Challier House, 1961
West Vancouver, BC
Designed by James R. Tettamanti
Landscape by Raoul Robillard

MLS #R2813421

[1/Images] Western Homes & Living. May 1964.

Link in bio for MODERN WEST COAST PLACES, the League's ongoing survey of modern west coast buildings + projects
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#westcoastmodern #modernhouse #midcenturymodern #midcenturymoderndesign #cliffhouse #poolwithaview #modern #architecture #modernarchitecture #vancouverarchitecture #vanarch #canadianarchitecture #iconichouses #heritagehouse #modernheritage #fixerupper #architecturelovers #archilovers #artarchitecture #westvancouver #britishcolumbia #herbertchallier #jamestettamanti #raoulrobillard #modernwestcoastplaces #westcoastmodernleague #wcmlvan
Behind every modern house is a story more interest Behind every modern house is a story more interesting than any fiction could tell, and while this house has certainly seen better days, its history is storied. Known as the Challier House, it was originally built in 1961 and, while Challier was himself an architect, the home was designed by James R. Tettamanti with landscape by Raoul Robillard. 

Herbert Challier was a graduate of UBC architecture and would go on to work for McCarter Nairne before establishing his own private practice based first in Yaletown and eventually out of this home. Over his career, Challier had a history of working on theatre designs and is credited for designing Grouse Mountain's "Theatre in the Sky." He was also a varsity rower and a skier on the Whistler Ski Patrol. 

This was not Herb Challier's first home on the North Shore. The Challier family originally lived in a forested subdivision, leaving for this oceanview home when suburbia engulfed the surrounding forest. Their 1951 home was one of the original Neoteric houses, designed by none other than Fred Hollingsworth.

Challier House is currently on the market and, with an enthusiastic owner and a healthy budget, it could go on to be a stunning home for future generations. 
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Challier House, 1961
West Vancouver, BC
Designed by James R. Tettamanti
Landscape by Raoul Robillard

MLS #R2813421

[Images 2-4] Courtesy of Sam McColl

Link in bio for MODERN WEST COAST PLACES, the League's ongoing survey of modern west coast buildings + projects
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#westcoastmodern #modernhouse #midcenturymodern #midcenturymoderndesign #cliffhouse #poolwithaview #modern #architecture #modernarchitecture #vancouverarchitecture #vanarch #canadianarchitecture #iconichouses #heritagehouse #modernheritage #fixerupper #architecturelovers #archilovers #artarchitecture #westvancouver #britishcolumbia #herbertchallier #jamestettamanti #raoulrobillard #modernwestcoastplaces #westcoastmodernleague #wcmlvan
"Located at the centre of the Fraser Valley, the a "Located at the centre of the Fraser Valley, the agricultural hub of southwestern BC, the college features the School of Horticulture, as well as many vocational, academic, career and special education programs. The campus seeks to establish a relationship between its role as a place of learning and community interaction and its rural setting. The heart of campus is the central agora, a gathering space focused on the historic Wark/Dumais House and orchard and the wetlands of Logan Creek. Radiating outward are the college buildings, teaching gardens (including an insect garden!), parking and the school's greenhouses."[1]
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Kwantlen Polytechnic University, 1993
Langley, BC
Designed by Barry Downs with
Ron Beaton & Glenn Burwell (Downs/Archambault & Partners)
Landscape by Cornelia Hahn Oberlander

[1] Barry Downs: Melding Architecture with Landscape (2013). West Vancouver Art Museum.

Link in bio for MODERN WEST COAST PLACES, the League’s ongoing survey of modern west coast buildings and projects
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#modernarchitecture #modernism #modern #architecture #modernlandscape #campusarchitecture #universitycampus #vancouvermodern #vancouverarchitecture #vanarch #landscapearchitecture #modernbuilding #design #iconicbuildings #kwantlenpolytechnicuniversity #kwantlencollege #architecturelovers #archilovers #barrydowns #barrydownsarchitect #corneliahahnoberlander #downsarchambault #modernwestcoastplaces #westcoastmodernleague #wcmlvan
Aside from being places of learning, campuses them Aside from being places of learning, campuses themselves have an intimate impact on the psyche of their students and educational outcomes. As campuses return to being busy hives of activity, we turn our attention to a few campuses, beginning with Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Langley Campus. Coompleted in 1993, KPU Langley was designed by Barry Downs, with Ron Beaton and Glenn Burwell (Downs/Archambault and Partners) with landscape by Cornelia Hahn Oberlander. As the home of the university’s School of Horticulture, the architecture was designed to integrate with its pastoral setting. “Architecturally, the complex, although collegiate in character and constructed with tan brick, exposed concrete columns and grey metal sheathing, is intended to recall the muted colours of indigenous plantings, the wetland’s clay soil and the old industrial and farm structures of the valley. Varied tree species and the plantings of wildflowers and native grasses both address the college’s active horticultural program and, at the same time, weave the most structured ground areas–next to campus buildings–with the lush natural environment of Logan Creek.”[1] 
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Kwantlen Polytechnic University, 1993
Langley, BC
Designed by Barry Downs with
Ron Beaton & Glenn Burwell (Downs/Archambault & Partners)
Landscape by Cornelia Hahn Oberlander

[1] Barry Downs: Melding Architecture with Landscape (2013). West Vancouver Art Museum. 

Link in bio for MODERN WEST COAST PLACES, the League’s ongoing survey of modern west coast buildings and projects
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#modernarchitecture #modernism #modern #architecture #modernlandscape #campusarchitecture #universitycampus #vancouvermodern #vancouverarchitecture #vanarch #landscapearchitecture #modernbuilding #design #iconicbuildings #kwantlenpolytechnicuniversity #kwantlencollege #architecturelovers #archilovers #barrydowns #barrydownsarchitect #corneliahahnoberlander #downsarchambault #modernwestcoastplaces #westcoastmodernleague #wcmlvan
Originally founded in 2013, this 2023-24 season ma Originally founded in 2013, this 2023-24 season marks our 10th, and we're excited to share with you our upcoming lineup of events, programs, and initiatives. Thank you for your continued support and, if you haven't already, please join our community! 

Follow us here and subscribe to our mailing list for our latest projects and announcements (link in bio). 
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The West Coast Modern League (WCML/The League) is a leading voice for modern architecture + design on Canada's west coast. We are an independent, non-profit society that celebrates, and advances the understanding and appreciation of, architecture, urbanism, and design of the North American west coast, with a special focus on the southern coastal regions of British Columbia. We are driven by the vanguard of the West Coast Modern movement, inspired by its distinctive culture, and energized by the future of modern design across our region.
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#westcoastmodern #westcoastmodernism #westcoastmodernarchitecture #westcoastmodernliving #westcoastdesign #architecture #modern #modernarchitecture #modernlandscape #landscapearchitecture #midcenturymodern #midcenturymoderndesign #alliedarts #vancouverarchitecture #vanarch #architecturelovers #archilovers #canadianarchitecture #canadamodern #pnwarchitecture #pacificnorthwest #westcoastmodernleague #wcmlvan
MODERNISM ELSEWHERE | Even under a thick cloak of MODERNISM ELSEWHERE | Even under a thick cloak of dreadful wildfire smoke, the Heating & Cooling Plant at the University of Regina stands as a ray of light. Designed by prairie architect Clifford Weins, the building was constructed to house the central heating and cooling infrastructure for the university campus. Trevor Boddy exclaims that "[Clifford] understood the prairie landscape and how important the skies are and the horizon and constantly worked with those."

Graham Livesey described the building as “most indicative of his architecture in that it is seemingly straightforward, yet intricate in execution; its bold shape is reminiscent of both iconic Indigenous and agricultural forms.”
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Heating & Cooling Plant
University of Regina
Regina, SK
Designed by Clifford Weins
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#modernismelsewhere #universityofregina #cliffordwiens #canadianarchitect #canadianarchitect #modernarchitecture #midcenturymodern #modern #architecture #architectureheritage #iconicbuildings #artarchitecture #architecturelovers #modernheritage #saskatchwan #modernplaces #westcoastmodernleague #wcmlvan

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