West Coast Modern League
West Coast Modern League
  • Home
  • Events
  • Advocacy
  • Places
  • Resources
  • Watch This
  • Friends
  • Journal
  • About
  • Contact
  • Join our Mailing List
  • Donate
 
JournalStatementRemembering Barry Downs, 1930-2022

Remembering Barry Downs, 1930-2022

Category : Statement
Date : September 9, 2022

VANCOUVER: Earlier this summer marked the passing of one of our last remaining pioneers of West Coast Modernism. A loss felt across the country, Barry Vance Downs, a legendary and devoted architect, known for his gentle and generous nature, died on July 19th at the age of 92. Barry’s deep respect for the natural environment, his dedication to supporting the community and to celebrating our region’s legacy of design excellence, has had a deep and immeasurable impact on our built environment, and on current and, no doubt, future generations of designers. We are grateful for Barry’s insight, guidance, and friendship. The West Coast Modern League offers our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and those who have mourned in recognition of his extraordinary legacy of modern west coast architecture.

“To me, it’s all to do with emotion, and you derive that from the building and its setting. The focus for me has always been the landscape, the garden, the seasonal world.” – Barry Downs [1]

Barry Downs was born June 19, 1930 in Vancouver. He studied architecture in Seattle, graduating from the University of Washington in 1954. From there, he apprenticed with the Vancouver firm of Thompson, Berwick & Pratt (TBP), working as part of the design team for a number of houses, as well as, landmark projects including Ron Thom’s Massey College and Roy Jessiman’s Frederic Wood Theatre. In 1955, he married Mary Hunter Stewart, who remained a stalwart support throughout his career and life.

Although a devout modernist, Barry brought a strong appreciation for nature, art and organic form to his work at TBP. His remarkable talent not only in architecture but also in drawing and watercolours quickly became apparent, and in the ensuing years, he honed his reputation from such distinctive houses as the 1957 Phillips House in West Vancouver, his own family home in the Dunbar neighbourhood of Vancouver a year later, and the 1960 Chow House, with Blair Macdonald, in North Vancouver.

At various times throughout the 1960s, he lectured with colleagues Arthur Erickson and Bud Wood at the UBC School of Architecture. He formed a practice with Fred Hollingsworth from 1963-1967, and by the end of the decade had set up his own practice with Richard Archambault. Barry continued his distinctive work with projects such as Oberlander House II and Pearson College of the Pacific (with Ron Thom and Cornelia Oberlander), the 1974 North Vancouver Civic Centre, the 1979 Downs House II and 1989 Canuck Place. He also was a key player in important master plans, including the 1989 Concord Pacific master plan and the 1993 Yaletown/Roundhouse plans.

Over the years, Barry worked tirelessly as an advocate for a number of local groups and committees, including the City of Vancouver Heritage Advisory Committee and the West Vancouver Planning Commission. His career and design ethos was reflected in the 2013 exhibition at the West Vancouver Art Museum, entitled “Melding Architecture with Landscape: A Collaboration in Design.” In 2015, Barry was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.

Barry Vance Downs
June 19, 1930 – July 19, 2022

 

Barry Vance Downs (1969). Photo by Ray Allan.

 

[1] West Coast Modern and Architect Barry Downs. Eve Lazarus. July 5, 2014.

 

In Memoriam

  • West Coast Modernist Barry Downs gave his buildings an earthy, organic flow. Adele Weder. August 3, 2022. The Globe and Mail.
  • In Memorium: Barry Vance Downs, 1930-2022. Adele Weder. August 31, 2022. Canadian Architect.
  • West Coast Modern and Architect Barry Downs. Eve Lazarus. July 5, 2014.

 

Select Projects

Bowker House, 1967

Bowker House, 1967

Category : Barry Downs, Fred Hollingsworth
Chow House, 1960

Chow House, 1960

Category : Barry Downs, Blair Macdonald
Dawson/ Purdie House, 1956-57/ 2008/ 2015

Dawson/ Purdie House, 1956-57/ 2008/ 2015

Category : Barry Downs, Ron Thom, Russell Hollingsworth
Downs House I, 1959

Downs House I, 1959

Category : Barry Downs
Downs House II, 1979

Downs House II, 1979

Category : Barry Downs
Kwantlen Polytechnic University Langley Campus, 1993

Kwantlen Polytechnic University Langley Campus, 1993

Category : Barry Downs, Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, Glenn Burwell, Ron Beaton
Oberlander House II “Ravine”, 1970

Oberlander House II “Ravine”, 1970

Category : Barry Downs, Beans Justice, Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, Fred Dalla-Lana, Peter Oberlander
Smith–Dick House, 1966/ 2021

Smith–Dick House, 1966/ 2021

Category : Barry Downs, Burgers Architecture, Cedric Burgers, Fred Hollingsworth, Marieke Burgers
Stager House, 1965

Stager House, 1965

Category : Barry Downs
Woyat-Bowie Building, 1966

Woyat-Bowie Building, 1966

Category : Barry Downs, Fred Hollingsworth
 
Join our Mailing List

Follow us on Instagram
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. 
__
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
.
.
.
.
.
#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]
__
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
.
.
.
.
.
#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] 
__
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
.
.
.
.
.
#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). 
__
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.
.
.
.
.
.
#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.”
__
Heating & Cooling Plant
University of Regina
Regina, SK
Designed by Clifford Weins
.
.
.
.
.
#modernismelsewhere #universityofregina #cliffordwiens #canadianarchitect #canadianarchitect #modernarchitecture #midcenturymodern #modern #architecture #architectureheritage #iconicbuildings #artarchitecture #architecturelovers #modernheritage #saskatchwan #modernplaces #westcoastmodernleague #wcmlvan
“This simple structure located in Saskatchewan B “This simple structure located in Saskatchewan Beach [was] an icon of mid-century modern Prairie architecture. Silton Chapel, as it is known, [was] an innovative open-air worship space completed in 1967 for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina by renowned architect Clifford Wiens, who was awarded a prestigious Massey Medal for Architecture for its design. The chapel [was] built into a hillside on Last Mountain Lake. A pyramidal roof and glue-laminated cross beams appear to float above worshippers, thanks to an ingenious structural system of hidden tension rods.”[1]

__
Silton Chapel, Our Lady of the Lake, 1967
Saskatchewan Beach, Silton, SK
Designed by Clifford Wiens
Massey Medal for Architecture

[1] 2012 Heritage. Volume XV, Numero 4.
. 
.
.
.
.
.
#siltonchapel #cliffordwiens #canadianarchitect #canadianarchitect #modernarchitecture #midcenturymodern #modern #architecture #architectureheritage #iconicbuildings #masseymedal #artarchitecture #architecturelovers #modernheritage #saskatchwan  #modernplaces #westcoastmodernleague #wcmlvan

© 2023 West Coast Modern League. All rights reserved.
Reframe Plus by Northeme. Powered by WordPress
  • Home
  • Events
  • Advocacy
  • Places
  • Resources
  • Watch This
  • Friends
  • Journal
  • About
  • Contact
  • Join our Mailing List
  • Donate