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Simon Fraser University
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark639
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Description
- The planning, design concept, design coordination, site development and landscaping for the original part of the campus were all under the control of Erickson/Massey. The complex was conceived as one building, with future growth occurring at the periphery. Tall buildings would have been out of scal…
- Associated Dates
- 1965
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
- Repository
- Burnaby Heritage Planning
- Geographic Access
- University Drive
- Associated Dates
- 1965
- Description
- The planning, design concept, design coordination, site development and landscaping for the original part of the campus were all under the control of Erickson/Massey. The complex was conceived as one building, with future growth occurring at the periphery. Tall buildings would have been out of scale with the massive mountaintop ridge, so a series of horizontal terraced structures were designed that hugged the ridge and dissolve into the landscape. Following the linear peak of the mountain, the scheme organized various parts of the campus along an east/west line. The concept of a central academic quadrangle was conceived within the tradition of Oxford and Cambridge, and to enhance the sense of contemplative quiet, it was designed as a perfect square raised on massive pilotis, allowing stunning views through a landscaped courtyard. The connecting link was a gigantic space frame-developed in conjunction with Jeffrey Lindsay, a one-time associate of Buckminster Fuller-that provided shelter and a gathering-place for the students. Other architects who had placed among the top five in the competition were retained to design the individual components of the original plan: the Academic Quadrangle by Zoltan S. Kiss; the Theatre, Gymnasium & Swimming Pool by Duncan McNab & Associates; the Science Complex by Rhone & Iredale; and the Library by Robert F. Harrison.
- Heritage Value
- Following the end of the Second World War, there was unprecedented growth throughout the Lower Mainland. Many returning veterans had settled on the coast, and the loosening of wartime restrictions led to the creation of many new suburban developments throughout the region. The growing population strained existing facilities, and there was a recognition that new educational facilities had to be constructed to meet these growing demands. For many years, the only university in the province was the University of British Columbia. In the 1960s, new universities were planned for both Victoria and Burnaby to serve the wave of baby boomers just then going through high school. The dramatic site chosen for the Burnaby university was the top of Burnaby Mountain, with expansive views over mountain ranges and water. An architectural competition was held for a campus of 7,000 students that could eventually be expanded to 18,000. Of the many submissions, the judges reached unanimity on the winner, an outstanding scheme submitted by the firm of Erickson/Massey. The judges went even further, and recommended that every effort be made to ensure that the winning design be built as submitted. The new Chancellor, Gordon Shrum, agreed. The realization of this scheme won extensive recognition for the work of Arthur Erickson and Geoffrey Massey, and launched Erickson’s international career. In Erickson’s words: "Unlike any previous university, Simon Fraser is a direct translation into architecture of the expanding fields of knowledge that defy traditional boundaries, of the vital role of the university as both challenger and conservor of human culture, and of the university community as one in constant intellectual, spiritual and social interchange." The new school opened for classes in September 1965, nicknamed the “instant university,” and quickly gained a radical reputation. The startling futuristic architecture and open layout suited the explosive nature of the mid-1960s, when political and social traditions of all types were being questioned and student protests were common. Many of SFU’s programs were considered experimental, even controversial, and unrest and conflict on the campus continued for a number of years. Since this auspicious beginning 40 years ago, SFU has grown to house 25,000 students on three campuses. The core of the original campus, recognized world-wide as a profound work of architecture, remains essentially intact today.
- Locality
- Burnaby Mountain
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Barnet (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Burnaby Mountain Area
- Architect
- Erickson/Massey
- Area
- 1360000.00
- Contributing Resource
- Building
- Ownership
- Private
- Street Address
- 8888 University Drive
- Street View URL
- Google Maps Street View
Images
Ed Eckley subseries
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64503
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1911 (date of original)-[1998]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Physical Description
- 2 boxes of textual records and 1 photographic album
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of records created and collected by Edmund Eckley on the history of the Oakalla Prison Farm in Burnaby. Included in the subseries are notes for an oral presentation, maps, plans, contracts, memorandums and Oakalla policies, rules and regulations, as well asan album containing pho…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1911 (date of original)-[1998]
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Subseries
- Ed Eckley subseries
- Physical Description
- 2 boxes of textual records and 1 photographic album
- Description Level
- Subseries
- Accession Number
- BHS2006-01
- Scope and Content
- Subseries consists of records created and collected by Edmund Eckley on the history of the Oakalla Prison Farm in Burnaby. Included in the subseries are notes for an oral presentation, maps, plans, contracts, memorandums and Oakalla policies, rules and regulations, as well asan album containing photographs of the Oakalla Prison Farm just after it was closed down and some photocopied images and text.
- History
- Edmund R. Eckley is believed to have worked as a logging manager in Tahsis, British Columbia. Later, he and his wife Teresa lived at 7810 Rayside Street in Burnaby. Ed was a volunteer interpreter at Burnaby Village Museum in the 1990s. He wrote the interpreters’ notes for the first temporary exhibit held in Stride Studios [1995] at the Burnaby Village Museum entitled “Captive Heritage Oakalla Revealed” which traced the history of Oakalla Prison from construction to closure. He also designed his own walking tour of the Oakalla site prior to it being torn down. On January 14, 1998 Ed presented "A Short History of the Oakalla Prison Farm" for the Burnaby Historical Society. Ed also served as vice-president and fundraising chair for Friends of Interurban 1223 until the project's completion in 2008. Teresa worked as a school teacher for the Burnaby School District until her retirement in 2004. Following retirement, Teresa and Ed moved to Vancouver, where they currently reside.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Creator
- Eckley, Edmund R.
- Notes
- Title based on creator of subseries
- MSS120, PC511