Civic Projects

"The civic and institutional projects discussed here reveal Barton Myers's inventive, responsive, and socially conscious approach to architecture. His sensitivity to climate and urban context and concern for the needs of clients and users permeate this body of work-- buildings that work well while being rooted in place and history. An intelligent and thoughtful architect, Barton Myers forged a critical response to the architectural milieu that he inherited. In his struggle to reconcile the sometimes conflicting aspirations of an architect and an urbanist, Myers developed a unique voice that he expressed in drawings, buildings, and words." -- Excerpted from the essay by Howard Shubert in Barton Myers: Works of Architecture and Urbanism

Buildings and projects for civic and institutional clients are typologically diverse yet united by the same philosophical approach: a humanist sensibility that places a premium on the user and the surrounding context. Myers’ work is not characterized by a recognizable signature of forms and materials; but, according to him, “our work attempts to bring together a number of diverse themes and images rather than to project a single, pure style.”

The Canadian architect and educator, George Baird, however, identified three significant themes in Myers’ work: the elaborated building system of interior panels and openings, mechanical equipment and lights; articulation and hierarchical ordering in major and minor sequences and the placement of small spaces inside larger ones; and the detached façade, which carries symbolic representation. These qualities ally Myers with Louis Kahn and the “Philadelphia School” and architects such as Norman Foster and Richard Rogers and are especially evident when Myers uses metal and glass.

Several of his civic projects are additions to existing buildings (Art Gallery of Ontario) or adaptations of older structures to new purposes (the Seagram Museum). Many projects were competitions, some of which he won, some were selected but not built as designed, others went to other designers (U.S. Pavilion at Expo 92, Seville; Phoenix Municipal Center; the Ballet Opera House, Toronto, Calgary Olympic Arch for the XV Winter Games, Manchester Art Gallery). Diverse in type, style, and materials, Myers’ civic works are united by the themes Baird articulated and Myers’ determination to integrate each building with its encompassing urban context to create spectacular and useful public spaces.