James Dunsmuir and his wife Laura (nee Surles, 1858-1937) had 12 children:
Robert (Robin)1877-1929
Sarah Byrd (Byrdie)1878-1925
Joan 1880-1884
Elizabeth (Bessie) 1882-1962
Laura Mary (Maye) 1884-1959
Alexander Lee 1886-1887
Emily Elinor (Elk) 1887-1938
Joan Marion 1888-1952
Jessie Muriel (Moulie) 1890-1959
Kathleen (Kat) 1891-1941 (during a bomb raid in London)
James (Boy) 1894-1915 (during the torpedoing of the Lusitania)
Dola 1903-1966
Howland Shaw Chandler was a Boston architect active between 1902 and 1918.
Samuel Maclure was an iconic local architect, responsible for designing over 325 commissions through his Victoria and Vancouver offices. Maclure is perhaps best known for his collaboration with Francis Rattenbury on what is now termed the Rattenbury-Maclure Government House, which burned down in 1957, and for Hatley Castle, but he was also responsible for numerous houses throughout Victoria in the Arts and Crafts style. The plans for Hatley Castle show the symmetry and balanced proportions characteristic of his work.
Hatley Castle was not Maclure’s first commission for the Dunsmuir family, but it marked the first time he worked with James Dunsmuir. Dunsmuir was familiar with Maclure’s work from his period as Lieutenant-Governor, however, and the plan of Hatley Castle bears marked resemblances to that of the Rattenbury-Maclure Government House.
Samuel Maclure was an iconic local architect, responsible for designing over 325 commissions through his Victoria and Vancouver offices. Maclure is perhaps best known for his collaboration with Francis Rattenbury on what is now termed the Rattenbury-Maclure Government House, which burned down in 1957, and for Hatley Castle, but he was also responsible for numerous houses throughout Victoria in the Arts and Crafts style. The plans for Hatley Castle show the symmetry and balanced proportions characteristic of his work.
Hatley Castle was not Maclure’s first commission for the Dunsmuir family, but it marked the first time he worked with James Dunsmuir. Dunsmuir was familiar with Maclure’s work from his period as Lieutenant-Governor, however, and the plan of Hatley Castle bears marked resemblances to that of the Rattenbury-Maclure Government House.
Howland Shaw Chandler was a Boston architect active between 1902 and 1918.
Franklin Brett and George D. Hall were landscape architects from Boston known for several projects in British Columbia, notably the garden-city plans for Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad towns at Prince Rupert, Prince George, and Vanderhoof. They studied under the famous Olmsted firm. Their work with Hatley Park, between 1912 and 1916, produced a number of the landscape features that the Park is known for today, most notably the formal gardens leading off from Hatley Castle.
John Y. McCarter (b. 1886- d.1981) and George C. Nairne's (b. 1884-d. 1953) long-lived design firm was responsible for numerous buildings in Vancouver, including two of the city's first skyscrapers: the Medical Dental Building (1928-9, demolished 1988), and the landmark Marine Building (1928-30, still standing).
They are known as one of the most important Vancouver architectural firms in their period. Their buildings reveal a willingness to experiment with modern architectural styles. Both the Medical Dental Building and the Marine Building, for instance, exemplify the Art Deco style. The firm’s experience with this style is reflected in the design of the Grant Building. They are also noted for their use of the Modern Gothic style, elements of which are reflected in the Nixon Building.
Although they are best known for their Vancouver projects, McCarter Nairne first met in the Victoria offices of Thomas Hooper, where McCarter trained and Nairne worked for a period of time. Hooper’s offices moved to Vancouver during their time with him.
In part because of the support of government contracts, the firm continued working through the 1930s and the war years. Canadian Services College Royal Roads is among their significant projects.
The two original partners’ final project was Vancouver’s modernist General Post Office (1952-58). The firm continued operation under a series of partners until 1982.
Robert W. Siddall, Donald D. Dennis, and David H. Warner’s architectural firm, and prior firms involving Siddall and Dennis, were responsible for designing a number of Victoria landmarks. Representative work includes the Richard Blanshard Building, Centennial Square, and numerous buildings at the University of Victoria including the 1974 library extension (the library itself having been designed by RW Siddall and Associates in 1964), and the Cadboro Commons.
The firm continues in a new incarnation today as Warner James Architects.
Holovsky's solo practice existed ca. 1981-1984. He currently practices as Chang Holovsky Architects Inc.
Representative projects include: the CBC Broadcasting Facility, Western Community Courthouse, and the Royal Colwood Golf and Country Club.
John Graham Johnson and C. Dexter Stockdill were Victoria architects.
Wayte Blohm Associates were a firm of structural engineers who also worked on the restoration of St. Anne's Academy.
Robert M. Patterson Associates are a currently working firm of designers who specialize in cottages, small homes, and heritage renovations.
Aitken Wreglesworth Associates were a large architectural and design firm responsible for designing the Millward Building. In 1995, the firm merged with Waisman Dewar Grout Carter Inc. and partner David Aitken left both the firm and the field of architecture. The resulting firm, Architectura, practiced until 2003 when it was sold to Stantec.
Paul Merrick Architects is a firm of architects with offices in Victoria and Vancouver. Founded in 1984 by principals Paul Merrick and Roger Bayley, the firm has designed numerous buildings in the two cities. The firm took on new principal architects in 2004, although Merrick remains. Merrick is himself a well-known Canadian architect.
Robert F. Harrison Associates were significant contributors to the design of Simon Fraser University. At SFU, their work responded to the overall university plan by noted Vancouver architect Arthur Erickson and Geoffrey Massey. At both SFU and Royal Roads, they were responsible for the design of the library.