Posts Tagged Dunsmuir

Photo Credit: Brock House

Having done my undergrad in architectural history, I am fascinated by architects in general and one of my favourites has always been the work of west coast architect, Samuel Maclure. The more I learn about and practice the art and methods of architectural renderings and landscape design, the more I come to appreciate Maclure’s work. The previous chapter of our Great Canadian Architects series profiled one of British Columbia’s greatest institutional architects of the early twentieth century, F.M. Rattenbury. So, this chapter will look at British Columbia’s greatest architect of private residences of the same period, Samuel Maclure. The two men often competed against each other for commissions and had even worked on a couple of projects together as co-architects. But, Rattenbury and Maclure could not have been more opposite from each other in almost every aspect from training to achievements to their domestic lives. Maclure was the early “Canadian Dream” in many respects: he was BC born, he was a completely self-taught architect, and his marriage was something that could have made a perfect Hollywood love story. And more importantly, Maclure leaves us a multitude of brilliant examples of west coast inspired Tudor Revival and Arts and Crafts homes throughout southwest British Columbia, most of which are now municipally designated heritage buildings.

Note: Just a fair warning to you all, the following story is a bit long and contains LOTS of photos. When it comes to my love and appreciation of Samuel Maclure, it appears that I just can’t shut up about him!!!  (more…)

Photo Credit: Brandon Godfrey

School is back in session this week for hundreds of thousands of young students across Canada which includes university students. This is a perfect segueway into our next instalment of “Canadian Castles”. Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia is one such place that will see thousands of students on its campus this week to begin classes. Considered to be one of the most beautiful campuses in the country for its location as well as its splendid architecture, Royal Roads started out in a much different way. It is the former home of James Dunsmuir; coal baron, BC Premier and Lieutenant Governor. Not to be outdone on any level by his father Robert, James set out to build the finest Edwardian mansion of its time in western Canada; Hatley Castle.  (more…)

Photo Credit: OurBC

I bet when you think of Canadian built heritage and industrial history, a castle is not the first thing that comes to mind. However, Canada does have a number of “castles” that acted as stately homes. In fact, some of these Canadian castles are so grand that they equal, perhaps even surpass, their British and European counterparts in both design and elegance. These castles, as with many stately homes across Canada, had been built by industrialists as a testament to their power and wealth during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. For many, when that power and wealth faded, the families were forced to sell these homes. Fortunately, they have all been saved and are now spectacular museums or public institutions that have earned Canadian National Historic Site status. In the first part of our series on “Canadian Castles”, we’ll go out west to Victoria, British Columbia and feature the first of two castles built by the Dunsmuir family: Craigdarroch Castle. (more…)