Ron Thom and the Allied Arts

Ron Thom (1923–1986) first made his name in British Columbia as an architect of dramatic, award-winning houses; and then in Ontario as the architect of Massey College and Trent University. Thom embraced a comprehensive design philosophy, wherein “architecture” comprises not only the plans and construction but also the furniture, fittings, textiles, art and ceramics. This approach informed a career that spanned almost four decades, during which time Thom and his associates designed landmark projects across the country. The exhibition’s features projects—the Copp, Carmichael, Dodek, Forrest and Case houses of the Vancouver region, and Massey College and Trent University in Ontario—bespeak his formative years as a west coast artist. A half-century after their constructions, these structures continue to shelter their inhabitants and delight the eye: a testament to the enduring art of architecture.

—Adele Weder, Curator