The West Coast Modern House: Vancouver Residential Architecture

(Paperback)

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The West Coast Modern House chronicles the development of Vancouver residential architecture from the 1940s through its continued influence on contemporary practice. The post-war era in Vancouver defined what has become popularly know as the West Coast Style. Through the work of seminal figures such as BC Binning, Ned Pratt, Ron Thom, Fred Hollingsworth, Douglas Simpson, Barry Downs, and Arthur Erickson, Vancouver architects won national awards and international recognition for their innovative house designs. This period is now seen as one of the most important in the cities architectural history. Focusing on the years from 1940 to the mid-1960s, The West Coast Modern House features over 50 examples of modern houses. The book is richly illustrated by photographs taken at the time by noted architectural photographers. Essays by Greg Bellerby, Jana Tyner, and Chris Macdonald elaborate on the history and innovative design strategies of the early period, through to an examination of the ways modern architectural concerns are being utilized by contemporary practitioners. Readers reach a greater understanding of the significance of modern residential architecture on the West Coast and the persistence and relevance of its innovative design, material and construction strategies.

Author Bio

Born in Vancouver, Greg Bellerby studied at the Vancouver School of Art; he has been a curator and gallery director for over 30 years and produced many exhibitions and publications on visual art, architecture, and design. He is particularly interested in the intersection between these disciplines. He was the commissioner and co-curator of the Canadian Pavilion at the 2006 Venice Biennale of Architecture. From 1988 until 2013 he was the Director/Curator of the Charles H. Scott Gallery at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. He lives in Vancouver.