My Architectural Narrative
My architectural work ranges from large urban public projects to small residential commissions. Unsurprisingly it is the small projects which have been realized. Yet, I believe that my smaller works reflect the conceptual bases of my larger speculative or student projects. This story structures my educational background, my writings about architecture, my research, and my body of work into an illustrated narrative.

Initial Interests

Drawing as a child, experiencing great buildings while on trips, seeing important buildings built in Toronto --all of these had an effect on me. But my initial serious interest in architecture was connected with my interest in the environmental movement. I worked at the Wood's Hole autonomous living project in Massechusets and Paulo Soleri's "Arcosanti" Arcology in the Arizona desert in the mid-1970s at the same as I was working with both Pollution Probe and Energy Probe. My first degree at the University of Toronto was in Environmental Studies (Geography).

Projects with Katimavik

In the Spring of 1977 I represented Pollution Probe at talks aimed at creating the new federal youth program called "Katimavik". It was to start that September, and Non-Governmental Organizations were being consulted. The wrold view presented at these talks inspired me to take time off and take on a position working in the head office in Montreal that summer. The following September there was a great need for project leaders, and the opportunity to do whatever projects I chose enticed me into taking on the job. I was sent to New Brunswick, Gravelbourg (Saskatchewan), and St. Hyachinthe (Quebec). In these towns I took on a leading role in many projects, some of which included my own designs. These projects included:
    Boyscout Clubhouse, Memramcook, New Brunswick

  • renovation of home, Caraquet, New Brunswick

  • design and construction of solar greenhouse, Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan

  • re-design and renovation of a home for our groups, Gravelbourg, Sask.

  • re-design and renovation of the railway station, Gravelbourg, Sask.

  • design and construction of a log solar house, Yamanouska, Alberta.

  • re-design and renovation of a home in St. Hyachinthe, Quebec.

University of Toronto School of Architecture

I attentded the U of T School of Architecture during the "Prangnell years". Although we experienced several deans, it was always thought that Peter Prangnell was the soul of the school. There was a cult of personality about the school.

Second Autonomous House

My first big project in Toronto started with my purchase of 485 Manning Ave. This was to become a 20 year plus project refurbishing it from a run-down conventional brick house, to a experiment in design, materials, and technology.