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Newfoundland ModernArchitecture in the Smallwood Years, 1949-1972 |
eBook Available
The enthusiastic adoption of modern architecture in Newfoundland and the Smallwood administration's influence on the province's cultural landscape.
The architecture of Newfoundland typically evokes images of spare but colourful houses and outbuildings by the sea. Newfoundland Modern reveals another dimension that challenges this impression.
In over 220 drawings and photographs, Robert Mellin presents the development of architecture in the decades immediately following Newfoundland's 1949 union with Canada. Newfoundland's wholehearted embrace of modern architecture in this era affected planning as well as the design of cultural facilities, commercial and public buildings, housing, recreation, educational facilities, and places of worship, and Premier Joseph Smallwood often relied on modern architecture to demonstrate the progress made by his administration. Mellin explores the links between Smallwood and modern architecture, revealing how Smallwood guided the development of numerous architectural projects. He also looks at the work of two innovative local architects, Frederick A. Colbourne and Angus J. Campbell, showing how their architecture was influenced by their life-long interest in art.
The first comprehensive work on an important period of architectural development in urban and rural Newfoundland, Newfoundland Modern complements Mellin's award-winning book on the outport of Tilting, Fogo Island.
In over 220 drawings and photographs, Robert Mellin presents the development of architecture in the decades immediately following Newfoundland's 1949 union with Canada. Newfoundland's wholehearted embrace of modern architecture in this era affected planning as well as the design of cultural facilities, commercial and public buildings, housing, recreation, educational facilities, and places of worship, and Premier Joseph Smallwood often relied on modern architecture to demonstrate the progress made by his administration. Mellin explores the links between Smallwood and modern architecture, revealing how Smallwood guided the development of numerous architectural projects. He also looks at the work of two innovative local architects, Frederick A. Colbourne and Angus J. Campbell, showing how their architecture was influenced by their life-long interest in art.
The first comprehensive work on an important period of architectural development in urban and rural Newfoundland, Newfoundland Modern complements Mellin's award-winning book on the outport of Tilting, Fogo Island.
Details
Part of the McGill-Queen's/Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation Studies in Art History Series (number 7 in series)
304 Pages, 9 x 9
225 illustrations, colour throughout
ISBN 9780773539020
October 2011
Formats: Cloth, eBook
"Original and richly illustrated, Newfoundland Modern is a comprehensive and insightful tour d'horizon that will make St. John's the envy of other Canadian cities in terms of architectural history." Peter Neary, University of Western Ontario
"Weaving together comprehensive research and thoughtful observation, Newfoundland Modern makes a strong case in favour of protection and preservation and provides ample justification of the importance of modern works." George Thomas Kapelos, Ryerson University
"... promises to be of great interest to history buffs and architecture enthusiasts." The Scope
"Newfoundland Modern tells an intriguing and sharply-focused story about the significance of an international architectural style for local politics. The lively historical commentary and exceptional illustration work together beautifully - an imaginative take on the extraordinary project of post-Confederation modernization." William Barker, Department of English, Dalhousie University
"Robert Mellin's efforts raise the bar for this period in Newfoundland's architecture. No longer will these structures be overlooked by just about everyone. There are books such as Charles deVolpi's Newfoundland A Pictorial Record, the Book of Newfoundland by Smallwood, Family Names of Newfoundland, Dictionary of Newfoundland English, the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, that are lifelong reference books for me. It will be a real pleasure having Newfoundland Modern as part of that list." Chris O'Dea, Newfoundland heritage and conservation advocate
"Newfoundland Modern is a meticulously researched and beautifully designed book. It is an important contribution to the history of architecture in Newfoundland and Labrador and, in particular, St John's. This book makes us appreciate that our built landscape is a cumulative process where innovative design can evolve comfortably among the accumulation of traditional buildings." A.J. Shawyer, contributor to Occupied St John's: A Social History of a City at War, 1939-1945
"Weaving together comprehensive research and thoughtful observation, Newfoundland Modern makes a strong case in favour of protection and preservation and provides ample justification of the importance of modern works." George Thomas Kapelos, Ryerson University
"... promises to be of great interest to history buffs and architecture enthusiasts." The Scope
"Newfoundland Modern tells an intriguing and sharply-focused story about the significance of an international architectural style for local politics. The lively historical commentary and exceptional illustration work together beautifully - an imaginative take on the extraordinary project of post-Confederation modernization." William Barker, Department of English, Dalhousie University
"Robert Mellin's efforts raise the bar for this period in Newfoundland's architecture. No longer will these structures be overlooked by just about everyone. There are books such as Charles deVolpi's Newfoundland A Pictorial Record, the Book of Newfoundland by Smallwood, Family Names of Newfoundland, Dictionary of Newfoundland English, the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, that are lifelong reference books for me. It will be a real pleasure having Newfoundland Modern as part of that list." Chris O'Dea, Newfoundland heritage and conservation advocate
"Newfoundland Modern is a meticulously researched and beautifully designed book. It is an important contribution to the history of architecture in Newfoundland and Labrador and, in particular, St John's. This book makes us appreciate that our built landscape is a cumulative process where innovative design can evolve comfortably among the accumulation of traditional buildings." A.J. Shawyer, contributor to Occupied St John's: A Social History of a City at War, 1939-1945
Robert Mellin is an associate professor in the School of Architecture, McGill University, and the author of Tilting: House Launching, Slide Hauling, Potato Trenching, and Other Tales from a Newfoundland Fishing Village.
Newfoundland Modern
Robert Mellin
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments ix
List of Illustrations xv
1 Introduction 3
Part One: Modernism Takes Hold 19
2 Early Modernism 23
3 The Formative Years of the NAA 43
Part Two: Modern Architecture in Canada’s Happy Province 55
4 Public Health 61
5 Housing and Accommodation 67
6 Places of Worship 88
7 Education and Recreation 96
8 Industry and Commerce 128
9 Federal Public Works 142
10 Provincial and Municipal Public Works 147
Part Three: Two Newfoundland Architects 165
11 Frederick A. Colbourne 169
12 Angus J. Campbell 200
13 Conclusion 251
Appendix: History of the Founding of the NAA, 1958 260
Notes 261
Bibliography 275
Index 277
Robert Mellin
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments ix
List of Illustrations xv
1 Introduction 3
Part One: Modernism Takes Hold 19
2 Early Modernism 23
3 The Formative Years of the NAA 43
Part Two: Modern Architecture in Canada’s Happy Province 55
4 Public Health 61
5 Housing and Accommodation 67
6 Places of Worship 88
7 Education and Recreation 96
8 Industry and Commerce 128
9 Federal Public Works 142
10 Provincial and Municipal Public Works 147
Part Three: Two Newfoundland Architects 165
11 Frederick A. Colbourne 169
12 Angus J. Campbell 200
13 Conclusion 251
Appendix: History of the Founding of the NAA, 1958 260
Notes 261
Bibliography 275
Index 277
