Arthur Erickson House to be Demolished
November 30th, 2007An icon of West Coast Modernism, the Graham house in West Vancouver, designed by architect Arthur Erickson in 1962, will be torn down because its owner wants to build a larger house.
*click for larger photo*
November 30th, 2007 at 11:44 am
The Graham house is a great find - thanks for getting it up on your blog. It’s always a shame to hear about a gem like this being demolished as its nearly impossible to create architecture like this within the current codes. Any idea who will be doing the new residence?
November 30th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
It’s definitely a shame, as far as I know, there’s nothing wrong with the house. Many people in Vancouver, including Arthur Erickson himself, urged the owner not to demolish the house, but he doesn’t seem to be listening.
I don’t know who will be doing the new house, but hopefully it’s as excellent as this one was.
December 1st, 2007 at 4:53 am
More info can be found in my newsletter West Van Matters. There have been articles in the North Shore News, the Vancouver Province, and the Vancouver Sun in the past two weeks.
There has been some dismantling even though the demolition permit has not been issued. It was tenanted until three months ago. The builder says the new house will be 7000sf and made of concrete and glass.
Though hope is fading fast, we’re still hoping.
A fallback is that someone has a steep lot on Quadra Island he’d like to put it on.
My husband likens this to buying a Monet and loving the frame so tearing out the painting, putting in a print and keeping the frame.
December 26th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
This is so sad.
As a new Canadian from Europe, I’m always hearing the classic debate regarding what defines Canadian culture. Surely, THIS HOUSE is a prime example of Canadian culture. It was designed by an original and brilliant Canadian artist and is a national symbol of excellence of which every Canadian should feel proud.
I’m sorry to say this, but whoever is tearing down this house is the dictionary definition of a boor.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I would like express my sincerest condolences to the city of Vancouver for the loss of one of it’s truly great pieces of residential architecture. With the vast amount of land within BC, and the equally vast wealth of the family that own this property, I do not understand or fathom the reasoning behind the demolition of this house. The owners could have easily built a bog box house in any number of other locations - why did they have to destroy something of such beauty that has inspired so many Canadians and designers?
February 16th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Tearing down this house is a terrible shame and a most indifferent and unsustainable act. It was an inspiration to me as a youngster contemplating a career in architecture….Here in Portland we face similar challenges…we have been able to save a few great works such as the only Frank Lloyd Wright house in Oregon (also threatened with demolition) and most of the works by John Yeon.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
As a resident of North Vancouver, I was shocked to learn that anyone in the world would even consider demolishing the work of art by Arthur Erickson known as Graham House! I first learned about Mr. Erickson through a young architectural student in the early sixties. The young man shared his insights on Architechture, gleaned from the great man himself, as we did walking tours in Vancouver. We mourn the passing of a great piece of art. It is tantamount to taking a knife to a painting by one of the Group of Seven!
March 26th, 2008 at 11:48 am
This is a beautiful home and to tear it down is such a shame. I wish that more people who buy these homes could appreciate the gems that they are–there are better ways to get additional living space (if one must have it) without tearing down a work of art.