Regent Gas Station and Sleek Modern Design

July 2, 2017 By Brett in Alberta, Books / Literature, History, Ontario, Photography, Society Tags: Architecture, Calgary, Canada, Industrial Design, John Parkin, Panda Associates, Toronto, Vintage 36 Comments

Regent Gas Station (Left View), Toronto (1949),

Designed by John Parkin, Photo by Hugh Robertson

Although these vintage images only showcase a humble gas station they’re amazingly good! That’s because they combine the modernist industrial design of distinguished Toronto architect John Parkin and the often-dramatic photography of Hugh Robertson and his team at Toronto’s former Panda Associates firm, both of whom helped popularize modern design in Canada during the 1950s and 60s.

Regent Gas Station (Right View), Toronto (1949),

Designed by John Parkin, Photo by Hugh Robertson

A trove of other vintage architectural photos can be seen at the Panda Associates Digital Image Collection, Canadian Architectural Archives, which is maintained by the University of Calgary, and in the book John C. Parkin, Archives and Photography: Reflections on the Practice and Presentation of Modern Architecture (University of Calgary Press 2013).

(Image Credits: Hugh Robertson/Panda Associates, Canadian Architectural Archives, University of Calgary)

Come On In!: Doors of Annapolis Royal

November 25, 2015 By Brett in Art, History, Nova Scotia, Photography Tags: Annapolis Royal, Annapolis Valley, Architecture, Canada, Doors, History, Inspiration, Nova Scotia 25 Comments

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Annapolis Royal occupies a special place in both the far western part of Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley and the province’s history. Situated on the sweeping Annapolis River, the site was originally called Habitation at Port-Royal by French settlers around 1605 and was the capital of French Acadia. In 1710, the settlement became the first capital of Nova Scotia during British rule. The charm of this small town is typified by its wide variety of doors and entryways, many of which hint at the town’s early history and its seaside heritage. Here’s a sampling from a recent stroll on a brisk fall day.

Colorful Shop, Annapolis Royal, N.S.

Distillery District Door and Window Combo

May 3, 2015 By Brett in Art, History, Ontario, Photography Tags: Architecture, Canada, Distillery District, History, Ontario, Toronto 13 Comments

This smallish window and nearby door in Toronto’s Distillery District caught my eye both because of their curves and the forest green shared by each opening. In addition to the well-preserved historic buildings, this area of the city features a wide range of exceptional restaurants, bars and small shops.

Toronto Architectural Snapshot

April 9, 2015 By Brett in Art, Ontario, Photography Tags: Architecture, Canada, Inspiration, Love, Ontario, Toronto, University of Toronto 11 Comments

Intricate Detail Adorning a Decorative Window, University of Toronto Campus

“Your body is away from me, but there is a window open from my heart to yours.” ~~ Rumi

Winnipeg’s Cozy and Artful Warming Huts

December 26, 2014 By Brett in Art, Manitoba, Outdoor Adventure Tags: Architecture, Art, Canada, Creativity, Manitoba, The Forks, Warming Huts, Winnipeg, Winter 51 Comments

Wood Pile Hut

Skating on the frozen surface of the Assiniboine River, a popular winter pastime, will work up quite a chill. Recognizing this, makeshift warming huts have long been used along the river to provide a temporary respite from the cold. Several years ago (2010), a local art-and-architecture competition was started in Winnipeg to see how the simple warming hut might be creatively rethought. The result has been an annual showcase of fun and function that does Winnipeg proud, as these images attest! More about the warming huts can be found at the site for the annual competition.

The Hole Idea Hut

Fir Hut

The Five-Hole Hut

Ha(y)ven Hut

The Hygge Hut

Ice Pillows Hut

Red Blankets Hut

Rope Pavillion Hut

Windshield Hut

Image credits: Warming Huts Competition Site

Ever-Bustling Early 20th Century Toronto

June 1, 2014 By Brett in Art, History, Ontario Tags: Antique, Architecture, Art, Canada, Cityscape, History, Postcard, Toronto, Vintage 21 Comments

No Postmark– Around 1920s

The cityscape of Toronto, with its many tall buildings adorned with fine architectural detail and its bustling street-level activity, is most akin to what Americans encounter in the busy cities of New York and Chicago. These early 20th century postcards highlight the magnitude of Toronto even then. The people and vintage vehicles in these tinted images add interest and help define scale.

No Postmark — Around 1920s

Postmarked 1910

Postmarked 1918

Postmarked 1939

Quebec City at Night

July 18, 2013 By Brett in Art, Quebec Tags: Antique Shop, Architecture, Canada, Chateau Frontenac, Cityscape, Night, Photography, Quebec City 9 Comments

Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City

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A few night time images from most recent trip (Spring 2013) to Quebec City. The night was crazy cold and windy, which greatly challenged my patience and tripod so the images are not as sharp as I’d like.

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Along the Wall, Quebec City

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Evening, Rue de St. Jean, Quebec City

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Night’s Glow, Quebec City

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City Hall, Quebec City

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Night Fall, Quebec City

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Night Above Lower Town, Quebec City

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Antique Shop at Night, Quebec City

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Windy Night Near Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City

Random Images of Quebec City

July 14, 2013 By Brett in Art, Quebec Tags: Architecture, Canada, Cityscape, Historic Buildings, Photography, Quebec City, Quebec Flag, Rooftops, Streetscape 16 Comments

Some random images from a recent trip to Quebec City.
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Tower on City Gate, Quebec City

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Looking Out on the St. Lawrance, Quebec City

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Rooftop Windows and Angles, Quebec City

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Rustic Fire Hydrant, Quebec City

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Looking Down the Avenue, Quebec City

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Church Top, Quebec City

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Sign Kiosk, Quebec City

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Quebec’s Banner Fluttering, Quebec City

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Colorful Roof, Quebec City

Notre-Dame Basilica de Montreal

May 25, 2013 By Brett in Art, History, Quebec, Society Tags: Architecture, Canada, Cathedrals, Catholic Churches, Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica, Old Churches, Photography, Quebec 16 Comments

Quebec Month / Installment 15

Even to a casual observer of Quebec culture, the predominance of the Catholic church, at least historically, in the province is evident in many ways, not the least of which is the prominence in many towns of a centrally located Catholic church and the widespread naming of streets and other places for saints. The Notre-Dame Basilica de Montreal, an impressive gothic structure situated in the Vieux-Montreal area of that city, is perhaps the crown jewel of all these. My lovely wife took these two images of the intricately ornate interior of the Basilica.

Closeup on Architectural Detail Around Montreal

May 25, 2013 By Brett in Art, Quebec Tags: Architecture, Buildings, Canada, Cityscape, Montreal, Photography, Street Art 4 Comments

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Quebec Month / Installment 14

Pediments, bas relief sculptures, window moldings, fanciful brickworks, roof fixtures and decorative doors are among the many intricate architectural details that vie for our attention as we walk down a street and absorb all that is before us. Here are some pics of such adornments from a recent trip to Montreal.