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JournalStatementCarmichael Salon: An intimate afternoon at Ron Thom’s 1957 Carmichael House

Carmichael Salon: An intimate afternoon at Ron Thom’s 1957 Carmichael House

Category : Statement
Date : February 22, 2023

VANCOUVER: Built in 1957 for Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Carmichael, the Carmichael House is one of a collection of homes designed by Ron Thom utilizing a hexagonal planning approach, a departure from the usual rectilinear plan. This unique approach was pioneered in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hanna House (1936) in Stanford, California; Thom brilliantly harnessed this strategy as an effective way to design homes on West Vancouver’s famously irregular topography. Not only has the Carmichael House been sensitively updated by its current owners, but it is one of Thom’s few remaining 30-60 houses in the region.

On March 11th, the League invites you to join us for an exclusive opportunity to explore this remarkable residence, to engage in conversation and camaraderie with fellow design aficionados, and to enjoy appetizers, wine, and cider from The Bowen Cider House. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to catch remarks from author Adele Weder on the house and Ron Thom’s mid-century oeuvre, and preeminent architect John Patkau who will offer comparative insights into contemporary modern architecture. Stay late to enjoy sunset from the terrace accompanied by an exquisite view of the city, if the weather cooperates.

Carmichael Salon is a fundraising effort of the West Coast Modern League. All funds raised from the event will support the League’s ongoing public programs and initiatives. We thank you for your generosity.

 

Fundraising Event:

SAT, MARCH 11, 2023 – 3:30pm to 6:30pm
Presented by the West Coast Modern League

Get Your Tickets:

Limited tickets are available for $150 per person ($250 per couple). Each ticket includes an afternoon at this architectural masterpiece with fellow design aficionados, appetizers and refreshments, plus a copy of Adele Weder’s new book, Ron Thom, Architect: The Life of a Creative Modernist, published by Greystone Books.

The address and a map for access will be issued to ticketholders prior to the event.
Please note we are not able to offer tax receipts at this time.

 

EVENTS | Carmichael Salon
 
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Canada’s west coast holds an inspired and enduri Canada’s west coast holds an inspired and enduring legacy of exceptional modern architecture and design. What started as largely a domiciliary exploration has since proliferated across architectural typologies and design disciplines, the tenets of which continue to inform city building efforts to this day, and we are here for all of it!

MODERN WEST COAST PLACES is the League’s ongoing effort to capture the modernist body of work across the south coast and into the interior regions of British Columbia, focused on architecture, landscape architecture, public spaces, and the allied arts. The League’s aim is to create a space to learn about the full breadth of works that have and continue to put our region on the global design map. Our inventory takes the mid-century period as its point of departure, a time when the west coast was fertile ground for experimentation and innovation in the pioneering design principles that would become West Coast Modernism. This expression of modernism, more appropriately responsive to the domestic lifestyles, culture, rugged natural terrain, resources, and rainforest climate, was first recognized in the 1941 B.C. Binning House and continues to play a prominent role in contemporary practice while adapting to modern lifestyles and the increasing pressures of development and climate change. 

Updated often, what is published on our website is but a fraction of our broader inventory. If you have any questions about the works published, would like to nominate a place for the catalogue, and/or have any information that you think would be of benefit, please get in touch. 

Link in bio for MODERN WEST COAST PLACES
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#modernwestcoastplaces #westcoastmodern #westcoastmodernarchitecture #westcoastmodernism #vancouverarchitecture #vanarch #pnwarchitecture #midcentury #midcenturymodern #midcenturymodernhouses #midcenturyhouses #mcmhome #contemporarydesign #iconichouses #architecturalheritage #modern #modernarchitecture #architecture #landscapearchitecture #interiordesign #modernlandscape #moderninteriors #canadianarchitecture #canadamodern #modernheritage #design #postandbeam #architecturelovers #westcoastmodernleague #wcmlvan
September 30th is the deadline to participate in t September 30th is the deadline to participate in the @architecturefoundationbc's Architectural Industry Diversity Survey. Please take a few moments to submit your answers to these important questions.

LINK IN BIO TO TAKE THE SURVEY

Designed to help drive meaningful change and advocacy, the IDEA Committee (Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in Architecture) of the Architecture Foundation of British Columbia has launched a voluntary industry demographics survey extending to all people working in the architectural field, administered by Stratcom, an independent, third party consultant. The survey is a confidential tool designed to guide the future advocacy work of the AFBC, and is one step in the evolution of the architecture industry in BC. The survey intends to highlight aspects of the industry relative to demographics across three broad categories: financial compensation, barriers and opportunities, as well as, satisfaction and effectiveness. The anonymous results will be publicly available upon completion in late 2023.

Survey participants have the opportunity to enter a random draw to win 5 $100 VISA gift cards..
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#architecture #britishcolumbia #pnwarchitecture #vancouverarchitecture #vanarch #architectureindustry #industrysurvey #architecturefoundationbc #westcoastmodernleague #wcmlvan
The League congratulates this year’s recipients The League congratulates this year’s recipients of @westernliving's Designers of the Year awards.[1] We salute this group of designers carrying the torch for a long tradition of design excellence in Western Canada. In its 16th year, the annual awards honour the body of work of designers in Western Canada, selected by a jury of experts from around the world.

2023 Designers of the Year:

Architects of the Year: @simonmontgomerystudio 
Interior Designer of the Year: @falkenreynolds 
Arthur Erickson Memorial Award for an Emerging Architect: @bioi_studio 
Robert Ledingham Memorial Award for an Emerging Interior Designer: @knightvarga 
Fashion Designer: @norenstudio 
Landscape Designer: @donohoelivinglandscapes 
Industrial Designer: @propellorstudio 
Furniture Designer: alanhungstudio
Maker: @tavceramics 

[1] Introducing Western Living’s 2023 Designers of the Year Award Winners, August 30, 2023. Western Living Magazine.

#westernliving #2023WLDOTY #westerncanada #design #westcoastmodernleague #wcmlvan
Join our growing community! The renewed and growi Join our growing community!

The renewed and growing appreciation of our region’s modern west coast design identity, its distinctive culture, and its future outlook is exciting! It has taken a considerable effort by a great number of people over the decades to get us to this point, from designers to artists, writers to curators, and academics to heritage advocates. 

The League is a leading voice among many in our community with a commitment to explore our modernist roots while looking towards our modern future, and to celebrating the contributions of the many across our region, and further afield, who are committed to the cause.

If you haven’t already subscribed to our newsletter, do not wait any longer! Follow us and subscribe to be the first to hear about the League's exciting schedule of upcoming events and projects, advocacy initiatives, local design news and events, giveaways, and much more.
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Link in bio to subscribe!
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#westcoastmodern #westcoastmodernism #westcoastmodernarchitecture #westcoastmodernliving #modernarchitecture #architecture #landscapearchitecture #alliedarts #vancouverarchitecture #vanarch #vancouverism #vancouverurbanism #canadianarchitecture #design #modernlandscape #postandbeam #midcenturymodern #midcenturymodernhouses #midcentury #iconichouses #iconicbuildings #artarchitecture #architectureevents #designsalon #architecturesociety #nonprofit #designadvocacy #britishcolumbia #westcoastmodernleague #wcmlvan
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

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