When you look at the house at 1220 Queens in West Vancouver, what do you see? A beautiful example of the West Coast Modern architectural style? Indeed, it is that. However, it also represents a piece of cultural heritage, as it was the home of long-time, Vancouver Sun editorial cartoonist, Len Norris, a master of political satire. And it was designed by Duncan McNab, who was a part of the West Coast Modern architectural movement that took hold of Vancouver in the 1950’s and 1960’s. So, this house is valuable not only for its architectural style but also for its affiliation to two individuals who were famous in their own right.
Craftsman Architecture - Built to Last!
Have you ever found yourself wandering the streets of your neighbourhood, admiring the homes, both old and new, only to wonder what style of architecture a certain home might be? Well, we at the North Shore Heritage Society are here to help! Over the coming months, we will be writing about the different styles of architecture found in the Lower Mainland. First up is the Craftsman style of architecture.
The Maplewood Mudflats, Dollarton – then and now
"The Cow is Always Right"
Francis Caulfeild's love of nature helped shape the unique coastal community, now known as Olde Caulfeild, in the early 1900s. Learn how he built a traditional English village in an untraditional way, modifying his ideas to fit the West Vancouver landscape by following the natural contours of the land, and discover why “the cow is always right”.
My Bob Lewis Odyssey
According to the West Vancouver Survey of Significant Architecture, Lewis Construction Company, headed by Bob Lewis, was the most successful design-build firm in the post war building boom that blanketed West Vancouver with hundreds of mostly post and beam structures. But who was Bob Lewis? A Google search of his name yields absolutely nothing. No Wikipedia entry. No biographical account. How could this be for a man of such fame and success? Well, I was bound and determined to find out more so I donned my gumshoes, charged up my electric car and embarked on what I now call My Bob Lewis Odyssey. Sit back and enjoy the ride!
Malcolm Lowry: A Dollarton Legacy
Dollarton’s Cates Park/Whey-ah-Whichen has been a North Shore forest and seaside escape since the 1950’s when squatters’ shacks were removed and the park established. Recently, amid sweltering temperatures, the park’s beaches were crowded with young people who had made their way there along the Malcolm Lowry Trail. Perhaps some wondered, who is Malcolm Lowry and why is there a trail in his name?