Canadian Architect Arthur Erickson Dead At 84

Arthur Erickson, the internationally known Canadian architect who was handpicked by Pierre Trudeau to design the Canadian Embassy in Washington, has died.

He was 84. Erickson’s nephew, Geoff, says he passed away Wednesday afternoon in Vancouver.

“He died in peace of old age, surrounded by loving family and fantastic friends from all over the world who’ve been coming and going, sending cards and letters,” he said.

“(They’ve) been phoning from all over the world. It’s quite extraordinary.”

Vancouver developer Bob Rennie was close friends with Erickson and said he’s one of few people in the world who will truly leave a legacy.

“Everybody likes to throw around the word legacy and treasure but Arthur really is a Canadian treasure and he’s left his mark behind,” Rennie said.

Born in Vancouver in 1924, Erickson joined the Canadian army in 1943 and served in India, Ceylon and Malaysia. In 1945, he became a captain in the Canadian Intelligence Corps.

He graduated from Montreal’s McGill University in 1950 and worked as an associate professor at the University of British Columbia from 1957 to 1963.

He first achieved international acclaim soon after for his award-winning design for Simon Fraser University in British Columbia.

Erickson’s creations would soon span the globe.

His selection by then prime minister Trudeau to design the Canadian Embassy generated some controversy because they were friends.

However, the design won widespread acclaim. It was officially opened in May 1989 by then prime minister Brian Mulroney.

In addition to the embassy, his works included California Plaza in Los Angeles, Napp Laboratories in Cambridge, England, Kuwait Oil Sector Complex in Kuwait City and Kunlun Apartment Hotel Development in Beijing.

Erickson’s architectural innovations, particularly in the use of glass and concrete, won him numerous awards.

They included the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Gold Medal and the French Academy of Architecture Gold Medal. Erickson was also the first Canadian to win the prestigious American Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 1986.

He has earned many honourary doctorates and was named a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1981.

“Whether it’s the Canadian (embassy) building in Washington or you’re looking at this amazing building right next to my office…Arthur has left his footprint behind and there’s not a lot of us that do that,” Rennie said.

He added that when the two last went for dinner, Rennie could see Erickson’s health was failing.

He said it would be fitting for fans of Erickson’s work to go out and enjoy his works.

Funeral arrangements for Erickson are still being made.

Roy Thomson Hall photo credit: Geoffrey Erickson