The Museum of Anthropology at UBC (1971-76)
Architect(s):
Arthur Erickson Architects
Vancouver
BC
Award Category:
Prix du XXe siècle
The building aptly captures both the landscape of the West Coast and the spirit of the First Nations People...Arthur Erickson has created many poignant buildings in Canada, but none capture the Canadian identity as powerfully as the UBC Museum of Anthropology, which sits proudly as the Pantheon of the West Coast Spirit, more so the spirit of Canadian architecture.
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photo: James Cheng
photo: Cheryl Cooper
photo: James Cheng
photo: Donald Luxton
photo: Nicole Nadeau
"The jury felt that the Museum exemplifies more than any other building Erickson’s thoughtful handling of modern concrete structures so as to respond to its natural setting and its program. Inspired by the post and beam architecture of the northwest coastal First Nations, the striking façade opening towards the sea does not, however, fall prey to uni-dimensional ethnological references. On the contrary it weds the language of modern large span concrete structures with a primitive purity of form while providing a dramatic framing for viewing the splendid landscape beyond."