Bing Thom on Vancouver

A recent article by Bing Thom and Michael Heeney on urban isolation and what can be done to minimize it.

It ties in with re-imagining our urban space and also with initiatives like Pop Rocks (above) and last summer's Picnurbia.

P4A!

Party For Architects will reconvene on August 30th. Vancouver Special hosts and guest speaker is Ian Ross MacDonald of Bruce Carscadden Architect.

Philadelphia, Anyone?

Lou Kahn's work is pretty far from the West Coast, both figuratively and literally (except Salk), but the Fisher and Esherick residences are great examples of his few houses and both are for sale.

Boyd/McPhedran Update

Here's the link to Kerry McPhedran's comprehensive site on the Boyd/McPhedran house. Photos are from Architecture Wanted.

Above and below, photos by John Bland of the living room (looking toward the kitchen showing original open shelving and pass through) and exterior.

Thom's Boyd/McPhedran

 

Add one more to the list of Ron Thom-designed houses currently for sale: the Boyd/McPhedran house in West Vancouver has just been listed.  

It's an earlier design (from 1954) that shows his evolving approach and increasing mastery of the rocky terrain of the North Shore: hipped roof, deep overhangs, limited palette of natural materials and integration to site. 

It was originally built for art school friends of Thom who only lived there for a short time. The house has been sensitively maintained and expanded over the years and retains a graceful sense of proportion and scale.

See Kerry McPhedran's Western Living article that explores Thom's Vancouver work and her relationship with the house.

It's a notable piece in Thom's oeuvre, mostly for it's muted architectural beauty but also because of its influence: it had a profound impression on a young Paul Merrick as well as the numerous clients Thom showed the house to as an example of his work.

It joins the Forrest (for sale, again), the Work/Baker and the Norman houses on the market– a group that spans not only the geography of Vancouver but also Thom's architectural output in the city.