Exhibition list
1. DESIGNING THE SQUARE
Extensive public debate preceded the decision by the city to commemorate its centenary by building a public square. Previous schemes had entertained moving City Hall into a commercial development and selling the old building as a speculative development site. The combination of restoration (City Hall, McPherson Theatre and Police Station) with new construction (council chamber wing for City Hall, restaurant and lobby for the theatre, seniors acitivity centre, family law courts and parkade & shopping arcade) was ambitious. The old city market and some buildings on Fisgard Street would be demolished. Cormorant Street would be incorporated into the square and Pandora realigned. Planning and design was coordinated by city architect Roderick Clack. The floorscape of the square was designed by landscape architects Muirhead, Justice & Webb, who were also at work on the Gordon Head Campus Plan. The motif of the circle with the square reiterated the UVic Gordon Head campus plan, albeit on a much more minor scale.
Centennial Square Model
1962
Rod Clack and Alan Hodgson
Courtesy City of Victoria
Centennial Square Project, View of Second Model
n.d. (ca. 1965)
Digital print from Kodachrome transparency
Private Collection
Centennial Square Parkade and Shopping Arcade Proposal
Digital image from preliminary pencil sketch
John Di Castri architect
n.d. (ca.1963)
University of Victoria Archives: #2008.020
2. CENTENNIAL FOUNTAIN (1963/5)
Roderick Clack architect, and Jack Wilkinson architect/artist
Funded through contributions by neighbouring municipalities as their centennial gift to the city, the fountain is the focal point of the square. It is little known that Wilkinson's mosaic design, illustrating the themes of growth and maturation, incorporates elements from the University of Victoria coat-of-arms. The architects themselves collaborated in the physical task of applying the mosaics.
Centennial Square, View from East
n.d. (ca. 1965)
Rod Clack photo
Digital print from Kodachrome transparency
Private Collection
Centennial Square, View from East
n.d. (ca. 1965)
Digital print from Kodachrome transparency
Private Collection
3. PARKADE AND SHOPPING ARCADE (1963)
John Di Castri architect
The looming bulk of this large building is relieved by the architect's distinctive decorative use of concrete blocks for the parkade facade screen, much like his Cornett building on campus. Similarly, the decorative use of structural elements, such as in the arcade canopy, also recall the Cornett.
Centennial Square Shopping Arcade and Parkade
n.d.
Hubert Norbury (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
UVic Archives: #2008.020
Centennial Square Shopping Arcade and Parkade View from the South East
n.d. (1963)
Photo anon.
Photographic print
University of Victoria Archives #2008.020
Centennial Square Shopping Arcade and Parkade
n.d. (1963)
Photo anon.
Litho print
University of Victoria Archives #2008.020
Centennial Square, Car Park, Shopping Arcade Addition Project
n.d. (1963)
Digital reproduction from project sketch, John Di Castri architect
University of Victoria Archives #2008.020
4. McPHERSON THEATRE (1963)
Alan Hodgson architect
Restoration of the 1913 Pantages Theatre interior and the Government Street facade was complemented by wrapping a modern new brick addition around the east side to reorient the lobby onto the square and also provide for a restaurant. A further elevated addition facing the square provided theatre backstage space. The adjacent "knot garden" referenced Victoria's English garden heritage.
Centennial Square, View from East
n.d. (ca. 1965)
Digital print from Kodachrome transparency
Private Collection
Centennial Square Civic Theatre Project
n.d. (ca. 1963)
Digital print from architectural drawing, Alan Hodgson architect
Private Collection
5. CITY HALL AND LEGISLATIVE WING (1963)
Wade Stockdill Armour architects, and Robert Siddall architects
An open glazed atrium links the old and new buildings. This and the new wing containing the council chamber and the mayor's and council members' offices are set off with metal screens. Brick, respectful of the Old Town built environment, is utilized here as with all the new buildings facing the square.
Council Chamber Wing Under Construction, City Hall Restoration Commenced, View from North West
n.d. (ca. 1963)
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
Council Chamber Wing, Pandora Street Entrance
n.d. (1965)
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
Council Chamber Wing, Ground Floor Entrance Lobby
n.d. (1965)
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
6. SENIORS CENTRE (1963) Clive Campbell architect and POLICE STATION AND COURTS
Donald Wagg architect
Early on in the design process, Rod Clack arranged for a "design shop" to be set up in one of the buildings adjoining the square. Here the architects and planners could meet and also coordinate their design work as the projects progressed.
Seniors Centre View from North West
n.d. (ca. 1965)
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
Police Station and Courts Location Before Construction
n.d. (ca. 1963)
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
City Hall Before Restoration
n.d. (ca. 1962)
Rod Clack photo
Digital print from Kodachrome transparency
Private Collection
Fountain and Council Chamber Wing, View from North West
n.d. (ca. 1965)
Rod Clack photo
Digital print from Kodachrome transparency
Private Collection
Fountain and Police Station, View from West
n.d. (ca. 1965)
Rod Clack photo
Digital print from Kodachrome transparency
Private Collection
7. GORDON HEAD CAMPUS PLAN
By the end of 1961, the local Chamber of Commerce, the City of Victoria and the Victoria College Council were publicly promoting the expansion of the college, its re-establishment as a university and the acquisition of a new, larger site on federal lands in Gordon Head. Two new buildings, built under the supervision of the Department of Public Works, had already been built at Lansdowne, the old Provincial Normal School campus. There was now broad public support for a larger vision. At first a federated system like the University of California was envisaged with Victoria functioning within the larger University of British Columbia.
Gordon Head Campus: Projected Master Plan for University of Victoria
April 28, 1961
Drawing: pen and coloured pencil on paper
R. W. Siddall, architect and Wurster Bernardi & Emmons, consulting architects
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.1.2
Gordon Head Campus Aerial View to the South West
January 1964
Hubert Norbury (1897–1969)
Photographic print
UVic Archives: #020.0101
8. GORDON HEAD CAMPUS PLAN
An in-depth analysis of the two sites (Lansdowne and Gordon Head) by Public Works architect William Lougher-Goodey provided the rationale and background for the ultimate decision to abandon Lansdowne in favour of Gordon Head. This was supported by Victoria College consulting architect Robert Siddall. Lougher-Goodey was no neophyte to such forward thinking. Previously he had been engaged in rethinking the downtown setting for the Parliament Buildings and establishing a plan for what became known as the "parliamentary precinct."
Gordon Head Campus Aerial View to the North East
June 1965
R. C. Thurber & Assocates photo
Photographic print
UVic Archives: #020.010
Gordon Head Campus: University of Victoria Project Plan
July 11, 1961, revised November 2, 1961
Drawing: pen and coloured pencil on paper
R. W. Siddall architect, Wurster Bernardi & Emmons consulting architects
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.1.4
9. GORDON HEAD CAMPUS PLAN
In 1960 Victoria City Mayor Biggerstaff Wilson headed a delegation to visit the University of California at Berkely, San Francisco. Impressed with both the campus and the head of the School of Architecture, William W. Wurster, a report was commissioned from the firm Wurster Bernardi Emmons. Don Emmons's subsequent trip to Victoria resulted in a report that recommended locating the university at the Gordon Head site and amalgamating two properties: the army camp (19.6 acres) and Hudson's Bay Company Lands (119.6 acres). The Master Plan for the Development of the Gordon Head Campus dated December 17, 1962, set the tone, guidelines and direction for the university's growth over the next 50 years.
"Master Plan for the Development of Gordon Head Campus"
Wurster Bernardi Emmons architects
1961
UVic Archives #LE3V392W68
Gordon Head Campus Projected Master Plan
May 8, 1964
Drawing: pen, coloured pencil & felt on paper
R. W. Siddall architect, Wurster Bernardi Emmons consulting architects
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.1.7
Gordon Head Campus Master Plan 1
June 7, 1963
Drawing: pen and coloured pencil on paper
R. W. Siddall architect, and Wurster Bernardi Emmons consulting architects
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.1.2
Gordon Head Campus
University of Victoria Master Plan
June 7, 1963
Drawing: pen and coloured pencil on paper
R. W. Siddall architect, Wurster Bernardi & Emmons consulting architects, and Lawrence Halprin and Associates consulting landscape architects
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.1.10
10. GORDON HEAD CAMPUS PLAN
WBE plan envisioned a destination university and a residential campus, walkable and livable. A core academic focus on an open quad would be contained within a ring road vehicular access. Transport would link to services, residential, recreational and utilitarian, via this same ring road. WBE first worked with San Francisco Landscape Architects Lawrence Halprin and Associates and then the local firm of Desmond Muirhead and Clive Justice. They suggested a building program of work by local architects where structures would be secondary to the landscape itself. From 1963 the landscape consultant was John Lantzius, who had worked in Justice's office after apprenticing with Lawrence Haprin.
"Landscape Development Report"
Muirhead & Justice landscape architects
November 1961
UVic Archives: #LE3V43M85
Gordon Head Campus Aerial View to the South West
1966
Photographic print
UVic Archives: #020.0109
Model of the Gordon Head Campus
1965
William E. John photo
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
UVic Archives: #024.0704
University Park Apartments Study 2 (not built)
n.d. (1961)
R. W. Siddall architects
Watercolour and pencil on board
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.2.8
Gordon Head Campus: North West View of the Campus Projected by the Master Plan
n.d.
Watercolour on paper
Allan W. Edwards artist for R. W. Siddall architect, and Wurster Bernardi & Emmons consulting architects
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.2.1
11. GORDON HEAD CAMPUS PLAN
The academic and support needs that drove the building program were guided by a study commissioned by international expert in secondary education planning Alfred W. Baxter. The Baxter Report became the guiding document for the first generation of buildings and the terms of engagement for the client academic units, as well as the various architectural firms charged with the design work. At the official opening of the university, Premier W. A. C. Bennett announced the University of Victoria would be a full-fledged institution independent of the University of British Columbia.
Projected Building Program and Some Tentative Planning Factors for Victoria College
Alfred W. Baxter, Jr. [Berkeley, Calif.]
Alfred W. Baxter & Associates
1961
UVic Archives #LE3V438A36
Official Opening of the University of Victoria
July 2, 1963
Ryan Brothers photo
Photographic print
University of Victoria Archives #024.0604
12. GORDON HEAD CAMPUS PLAN
The residential nature of the university, and its service role to both Vancouver Island and the mainland beyond the Fraser Valley, was considered a key feature. Educational programming consultant Alfred W. Baxter's first design articulated an Oxbridge-style "college system" of residential units, modernist cloisters, linked to a common recreational and dining centre.
Commons Block, Craigdarroch and Lansdowne Residences, View to the North East
1970
Photographic print
UVic Archives: #044.1001
13. CRAIGDARROCH RESIDENCES (1964 & 67) & LANSDOWNE RESIDENCES (1969)
Siddall Dennis & Associates architects
"Craigdarroch" and "Lansdowne" residential units, names referencing Victoria College's two previous homes (Craigdarroch Castle in Rockland and the Provincial Normal School in Lansdowne) represent two stylistic stages in the development of the Siddall office. The first, "Craigdarroch," detailed in wood and stucco, reflects the current domestic side of West Coast modernism and the second, "Lansdowne," connects with international-style brutalism in its unadorned heavy concrete massing.
Craigdarroch Residences, View from South West
Ca. 1964
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
Craigdarroch Residences, View from South West
Ca. 1964
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
Craigdarroch Residence, South Facade
Ca. 1965
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
Lansdowne Residence
n.d. (ca. 1970)
Photographic print
UVic Archives: #052.1414
14. GORDON HEAD CAMPUS PLAN: CUNNINGHAM BUILDING (1971)
Erickson & Massey architects
In 1967 the guiding hands of consulting architects Wurster Bernardi Emmons were dropped in favour of Erickson & Massey Architects, whose award winning scheme for Simon Fraser University on Burnaby Mountain was garnering international attention. The Cunningham biology building, set in the south east forest quadrant of the ring, with native plant landscaping by Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, was the main result of this change in direction. However, Erickson's 1968 report, a critique of the Siddall/WBE master plan for the campus, was not well received. By 1970 WBE were reinstituted as consulting architects/planners.
"Progress Report on the Master Development Plan"
Erickson Massey architects
1968
UVic Archives #LE3V392E75
Cunningham Building, South Facade
1971
UVic Photo Services photo
Photographic print
UVic Archives: #020.0906
Cunningham Building, West Entrance
1974
UVic Photo Services photo
Photographic print
UVic Archives: #067.0334
15. CENTENNIAL STADIUM (1967)
Siddall Dennis Warner architects
Federal funds in support of Canada's 100-year celebrations supported the construction of the stadium, a university-community joint venture. As projected in the original campus plan, the location was adjacent to, and on the periphery of, the ring.
Centennial Stadium, View from the North
Ca. 1967
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
Viewing the Centennial Stadium Model
n.d.
William E. John photo
Photographic print
UVic Archives: #044.0102
Centennial Stadium, View from North East
Ca. 1967
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
16. EDUCATION ARTS (MACLAURIN) BUILDING (1966)
Alan Hodgson architect
This being the largest building on the new campus, the design envisaged a major concert hall, as well as accommodation for the largest faculty, Education, which previously had occupied most of the Lansdowne campus. The brick decorative cladding references the original Italianate 1913 Young Building at Lansdowne. Hodgson opened up the building on the ground floor, opening circulation directly into the landscape setting and the south-facing hard-surface square.
Education Arts (MacLaurin) Building
Watercolour and pencil on paper
n.d. (1966)
Allan W. Edwards, for Alan J. Hodgson architect
Private Collection
Education Arts (MacLaurin) Building
n.d. (1966)
Allan W. Edwards artist, for Alan J. Hodgson architect
Watercolour and pencil on paper
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.2.11
17. SOCIAL SCIENCES (CORNETT) BUILDING (1966)
John Di Castri architect
Essentially four linked blocks around a central cloistered quad, the building was to serve a number of academic discipline clients including Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology. The bones of the building are articulated with pre-cast concrete elements in-filled with breeze-block panels and decorative block screens.
Social Science (Cornett) Building Model
Courtesy Fine Arts 350 students Veronica Best, Joel Duifhuis, Morgan Homes and Kevin Jensen
Social Science (Cornett) Building
n.d. (1964)
Allan Edwards artist, for John Di Castri architect
Watercolour and pencil on board
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.2.6
Social Sciences (Cornett) Building Court Yard
1966
artist anon.
John Di Castri architect
Watercolour and pencil on paper
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.2.7
18. CAMPUS SERVICES BUILDING (1965)
Donald Wagg architect
Like John Di Castri's Student Union Building, which this structure faces, the structure was a combination of pre-cast concrete structural elements with block infill. Also like the SUB, clerestorey windows were a feature of the design. An innovative financing scheme involved prepaid rent by anchor tenant the Bank of Montreal.
Campus Services Building East Facade
October 1965
Victoria Press photo
Photographic print
UVic Archives: #049.0711
19. SCIENCES (ELLIOTT) BUILDING (1963/4)
E. Curtis provincial architect
LECTURE WING (1964) Wade Stockdill Armour architects
Originally intended for the Lansdowne campus, early design work was undertaken by Alan Hodgson while working in Public Works. The design was finished in the department by architect Andrew Cochrane with exterior detailing by Jack Wilkinson. The adjacent Lecture Wing by John Wade's office utilized tilt-up construction modules. A dominant feature is the concrete accordion roof housing a clerestorey that floods the interior hall with indirect light.
Elliott Building
n.d. (1964)
Allan W. Edwards artist, for Wade Stockdill & Armour architects
Watercolour and pencil on paper
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.2.14
Elliott Building Addition
n.d. (1974)
Artist anon., for Siddall Dennis Warner architects
Watercolour and pencil on board
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.2.8
Science Building (Elliott Lecture Wing)
n.d. (1964)
Allan W. Edwards artist, for Wade Stockdill & Armour architects
Watercolour and pencil on board
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.2.8
Canopy Detail, Science (Elliott) Buildings
n.d. (ca. 1965)
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
Elliott Building, North Facade
1963
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
Elliott Building, from the South West
1963
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
Elliott Lecture Wing, West Facade
Ca. 1964
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
Elliott Lecture Wing, Concourse
Ca. 1964
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
Elliott Lecture Wing, Theatre
Ca. 1964
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
20. SEDGEWICK BUILDING (1968/9)
Downs Archambault architects
Architect Barry Downs provided a West Coast domestic form and finish for these single-storey office and classroom units gently integrated into a series of courtyards planted with native ferns and salal. They were intended to be "temporary."
Sedgwick Building, View from South West
n.d. (ca. 1969)
Ian McKain
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
University of Victoria Archives #045.0106
Sedgewick Building Exterior
May 1971
UVic Photographic Services photo
Photographic print
UVic Archives: #94-008
21. CLASSROOM (CLEARIHUE) BUILDING (1962)
Wade Stockdill & Armour architects
A pillared ground floor supported the classroom floors above but allowed for circulation on the main floor to communicate directly with the landscape on both sides. The end stairwells feature stabile/mobile sculptures by artist Bill West. WBE's guidelines supported commissioned artworks by local artists for each building.
Clearihue Building
n.d. (1962)
Allan W. Edwards artist, for Siddall Dennis Warner architects
Watercolour and pencil on paper
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.2.5
Clearihue Building from the South West
1962
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
Clearihue Building, Main Floor, View South
1962
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
Clearihue Building, Stairwell with Mobile/Stabile Sculpture
Bill West artist
n.d. (ca. 1964)
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
22. McPHERSON LIBRARY (1964/74)
R. W. Siddall architect
It is the bold cast relief panels by sculptor George A. Norris, rather than the size and bulk of the building, that allow the facade to anchor the east end of the quad. The library was seen as a major motif and leading element in the design of the campus plan and a focus for the landscape features.
McPherson Library
1971
"Norton" artist, for Robert Siddall architect
Watercolour and pencil on paper
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.2.12
McPherson Library
n.d. (1964)
Allan W. Edwards artist, for Wade Stockdill & Armour architects
Watercolour and pencil on board
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.2.8
McPherson Library, South Facade
Ca. 1965
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection
McPherson Library
1964
Dane Campbell photo
Photographic print from 4"x5" negative
University Archives #021.0911
23. STUDENT UNION BUILDING (1963)
John Di Castri architect
The distinctive sculptural pillars were cast on site. Di Castri went to great lengths, including opening up a dry basement "moat" around the building and putting clerestorey windows tucked under the soffits and complex skylight structures to work with the sculptural effects of light within. A high point of the lounge was a "light sculpture" design by Di Castri himself.
Student Union Building
Architectural Model
Courtesy Fine Arts 350 students Pamela Davis, Murray Down, Stephan Moser and Greg Randell
Student Union Building
n.d. (1964)
Allan W. Edwards artist, for John Di Castri architect
Watercolour and pencil on board
University of Victoria Archives
2004-003 MD 8.2.12
Student Union Building, View from the South East
Ca. 1965
UVic Information Services photo
Photographic print
UVic Archives: #045.0201
Student Union Building, Lounge
n.d. (ca. 1965)
Hubert Norbury photo (1897–1969)
Digital print from 4"x5" negative
Private Collection