Conserving the Modern in Canada Buildings, Ensembles, and Sites: 1945-2005

Conserving the Modern in Canada Buildings, ensembles, and sites: 1945-2005 Conference Proceedings Trent University, Peterborough, May 6-8, 2005 Editors: Susan Algie, Winnipeg Architecture Foundation James Ashby, Docomomo Canada-Ontario Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Conserving the Modern in Canada (2005: Trent University) Conserving the Modern in Canada: buildings, ensembles, and sites, 1945-2005: conference proceedings, Trent University, Peterborough, May 6-8, 2005 / editors: Susan Algie and James Ashby. Papers presented at the Conserving the Modern in Canada conference held at Trent University, Peterborough, Ont., May 6-8, 2005. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-0-9683100-5-2 1. Architecture--Conservation and restoration--Canada. 2. Historic sites--Conservation and restoration--Canada. 3. Architecture--Canada--20th century. 4. Historic preservation--Canada. I. Algie, Susan, 1951 II. Ashby, James, 1962 III. Winnipeg Architecture Foundation. NA109.C3C66 2007 363.6'90971 C2007-902448-3 Also available in French. / Aussi disponible en francais. Conserving the Modern in Canada Conference Proceedings Table of Contents 1.0 Foreword . 1 2.0 Acknowledgements . 3 3.0 Conference Programme . 9 4.0 Introduction Session Papers . 15 5.0 Documentation Session Papers . 29 6.0 Evaluation Session Papers . 53 7.0 Legacy of Ronald J. Thom Session Papers . 87 8.0 Stewardship Session Papers . 113 9.0 Conservation Session Papers . 173 10.0 Education Session Papers . 203 11.0 Tours . 239 i Conserving the Modern in Canada Conference Proceedings ii Conserving the Modern in Canada Conference Proceedings FOREWORD The “Conserving the Modern in Canada” conference, held at Trent University in Peterborough from May 6 to 8, 2005, was Canada’s first national conference on the subject of the built heritage of the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. Recognizing the significance of this event for the heritage conservation community, we were committed at the outset to document the event in the form of proceedings. These proceedings reflect the diversity of the community conserving modern heritage in Canada. There are papers from academics, students, planners, historians, architects, and a visual artist. Modern heritage sites from virtually every region in the country are represented. The range of these historic resources is extraordinary: urban squares, office towers, churches, schools, suburban housing, academic institutions, recreational facilities and cultural centres. The diversity of approaches and the range of activities in documenting and conserving modern heritage are also well represented in this collection of papers. We are grateful to the conference speakers for preparing the essays contained in these proceedings. The essays represent, as accurately as possible, the papers as delivered at Trent University. Each author’s work is presented “in his or her own words”. To promote further understanding of the modern heritage in Peterborough to the broader community, we have produced “Peterborough Modern: A Guide to the Architecture of the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s.” Initiated as a modest bus tour for the conference delegates, the production of a guide for the general public will be a lasting legacy of the conference in the local community. We hope that the Guide will encourage further research and analysis of the modern architecture in Peterborough and stimulate discussion about the value of this heritage. The section that follows acknowledges the contributions of the individuals and organizations without which the conference and the proceedings would not have been possible. On a personal note, we would like to express our gratitude to Geneviève Charrois, Léïc Godbout, Jean-Pierre Landry, Marie-Claude Quessy, and Susan Ross who meticulously reviewed and revised the final texts, and to Shelley Bruce for the graphic design and layout. Finally, it is our hope that the issues and ideas illuminated at Champlain College at Trent University, and presented in these proceedings, will provoke further reflection as well as further activity in documentation, evaluation, conservation, stewardship, and education with respect to modern heritage in Canada. Susan Algie and James Ashby, Conference Co-Chairs Conserving the Modern in Canada www.moderncanada.ca 1 Conserving the Modern in Canada Conference Proceedings 2 Conserving the Modern in Canada Conference Proceedings ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS As an inaugural conference on this emerging subject, and one organized without the benefit of an established national institution to support it, the event required a considerable effort on the part of a large number of individuals and allied organizations. The success of the conference and the quality of the proceedings are a testament to the conviction to document and conserve modern heritage in Canada. This section identifies the conference organizers, advisors, supporters, and delegates without whom the conference and its proceedings would not exist. Planning Committee Susan Algie (Co-chair) Susan Algie has worked as a Heritage Resources Planner for twenty years with Parks Canada. Her background includes several years as an architectural historian. A graduate of Carleton University, she has studied heritage conservation at ICCROM, Rome; the University of York; and, the Ironbridge Institute in England. She has served on the board of a number of national and international heritage and architectural organisations and is a founding director of the Winnipeg Architectural Foundation Inc. James Ashby (Co-chair) James Ashby is an architect specializing in the conservation of historic buildings. He holds a Master of Arts in Conservation of Historic Buildings from the University of York in England and a Certificate in International Architectural Conservation from ICCROM in Rome. Prior to joining the Heritage Conservation Directorate (Government of Canada), he was responsible for directing the conservation and restoration of Buckminster Fuller’s 1946 Dymaxion House in Dearborn, Michigan. Prior to that, he worked in private practice as a Senior Associate with C.A. Ventin Architect Ltd. in Toronto. He has published papers on building conservation in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Ashby is a co-director of Docomomo Canada-Ontario. Shelley Bruce (Webmaster) Shelley Bruce is a graduate of the University of Manitoba’s Department of Architecture. As the Historical Buildings Officer for the City of Winnipeg’s Planning, Property and Development Department, she coordinates the review of interventions to municipally designated historic places. Her work experience includes a term position with Parks Canada, historical and architectural research, as well as the writing and graphic design of a variety of publications. She is a founding director of the Winnipeg Architecture Foundation Inc. and is the province of Manitoba’s representative with the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada. 3 Conserving the Modern in Canada Conference Proceedings Geneviève Charrois Geneviève Charrois is a specialist in architectural history for the National Historic Sites Directorate in Gatineau. Educated in France and Canada B.A. history of art and archaeology, M.A. architectural history, B.Sc. architecture, MRAIC, her expertise is in the history of functional design, urban planning and architectural analysis. She has also worked for the Heritage Conservation Directorate as a conservation specialist in architecture. Susan Ross Susan Ross is an architect who works with the Heritage Conservation Directorate (HCD) of the Canadian Government in Ottawa/ Gatineau. Having obtained her professional degree from McGill University in 1987, she more recently completed a Masters in Planning (Conservation of the Built Environment) at the Université de Montréal, where she researched the history and conservation of urban waterworks and parks, public baths, modern schools, urban ensembles, and industrial heritage. A member of the Order of Architects of Quebec since 1990, she has worked in architectural firms in Montreal (1986-95) and Berlin (1995-99). Active with Quebec heritage associations, including the Conseil des monuments et sites du Québec, Les Amis de la montagne, and Heritage Montreal, she became involved with Docomomo Deutschland while in Berlin. Involved since 1999 with Docomomo Quebec, she has contributed to published position papers on modern hospitals and landscapes and published a report on the ideas charrette organized by Docomomo Quebec concerning Montreal’s Grain Elevator No.5. She has published articles on architecture and conservation in Architecture-Quebec, Continuité, and the Docomomo international Journal. Advisory Committee Susan D. Bronson Susan D. Bronson is an architect, heritage consultant, researcher and educator. She is currently a fulltime professor and teaches mainly in the Masters in Conservation program at the School of Architecture of the Université de Montréal. She has for several years been active in promoting awareness and appropriate conservation of the heritage of the recent past through articles, presentations, research, and teaching. In 1997, she was hired by Parks Canada to prepare the framework study entitled “Built Heritage of the Modern Era: Overview, Framework for Analysis, and Criteria for Evaluation.” Later that year she guest- edited, with Thomas C. Jester, a special issue of the APT Bulletin on modern heritage. She was on the technical committee of the “Preserving the Recent Past II” conference, organized in 2000 by the Historic Preservation Foundation,

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