Arthur Erickson
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Arthur Charles Erickson CC (born June 14, 1924, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) is an internationally celebrated Canadian architect. He studied Asian languages at the University of British Columbia, and later earned a degree in architecture from McGill University [1].
Most of his buildings are modernist concrete structures designed to respond to the natural conditions of its location, especially climate. Many buildings, such as the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, are inspired by the post and beam architecture of the Coastal First Nations. Erickson has been quoted as saying that "concrete is the marble of the 20th century." Additionally, Erickson is also known for numerous futuristic designs such as the Fresno City Hall and the Biological Sciences Building at the University of California, Irvine.
The personal selection of Arthur Erickson as the architect for the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC by then-Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was controversial because Trudeau overruled the objections and choices of the embassy's design committee.
In 1973 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 1981.
Works include:
- Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
- Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia
- University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta
- Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC, USA
- Robson Square, Vancouver, British Columbia
- City Hall, Fresno, California
- Convention Center, San Diego, California
- McGaugh Hall, University of California, Irvine
- Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, Ontario
- Palm Court, Vancouver, BC
- Museum of Glass, Tacoma, Washington
- RCMP Heritage Centre, Regina, Saskatchewan (currently in construction)
- Walter Koerner Library, University of British Columbia, BC
