Wright's (Marble) Building

B Owned By Gerorge Wright, Wright's Building or the Marble building as its now known was built in 1896. It was Designed By J.C Dumaresq, It was Built in the Chicago Style, to compliment the Nova Scotia Furnishings building next door.The facade consits ofB Red and Grey brick, with Terracotta accents. Window pairs are seperated…Read More

Endangered Building – the Denis Building.

The Heritage Canada Foundation publishes a list on the top 10 endagered heritage buildings. The latest list Includes one Nova Scotia Example - the Denis Building. this Building located on the Corner of Granville and George, is surounded by parking lots, since its neighbors were demolished. For more on those buildings, see Missing from Barrington…Read More

The 60s Halifax Thinks Big

Many Haligonians have recently been calling for the removal of the Highway to Nowhere - the Cogswell Interchange. Many know why it was built, however few probably understand the thinking that led to Harbour Drive being considered. A few years ago the Canadian Centre for Architecture ran an exhibit called "The 60s Montreal Thinks Big".…Read More

Theory: Forces On a Structure

When a load is applied to a building, the structure must resist it. All materials have an elastic property that allows them to resist forces. the material, or the structure can do this by pushing, or by pulling. If the structure pushes or pulls to much, or too little, the structure can Move, or fall…Read More

Theory: Loads

Mother Nature hates buildings. She has many forces which try to push, pull bend and twist our buildings apart. These forces are the loads our buildings must be able to resist in order to remain standing. These loads can include gravity, wind, snow, and even the mass of the building itself. Loads can be broken…Read More

On Theory

Architectural history is tied in a large part to its theory. What is possible on the Artistic side, is a function of the available technology and materials. Locally the Chicago Style, on buildings Like Nova Scotia Furnishings, was used to show modernity. Light facades filled with windows, were only possible through the use of the…Read More

Missing from Barrington Street.

The Corner of Barrington and George street has an interesting history. Hit by a fire on January 12,1912 which Started in the Munnis Building, The fire spread through the block in all directions. the Cabot Building (which still stands today prevented the fire from spreading further.    The Fire stopped at the Cabot building, and…Read More

Nova Scotia Furnishings

Designed in 1894 by architect Edward Elliot in the Chicago Style.The Chicago Style developed after the 1871 Chicago fire, and made use of the latest technologies in building. Chicago style buildings date from 1895-1930, and are typically designed with Metal (cast or wrought Iron and later steel) skeleton structural systems. This freed the walls to…Read More

George Wright Residence

Located on the Corner of Inglis St and Young Ave. in the south End, this house has some significant history. The House was designed by J.C. Dumaresq, in 1902 for Geroge Wright. (Note that this will not be the last time we hear of this Client/Architect relationship)Wright himself Was quite weathy, owning both the St.…Read More