Gordon Atkins

Gordon Lee Atkins (born 5 March 1937) is a retired Canadian architect. During a career lasting from 1960 to 1999, he practiced primarily in Calgary, although he designed several projects elsewhere in western Canada. Along with contemporaries including Peter Hemingway, Jack Long, and Douglas Cardinal, Atkins is credited with developing a distinct Canadian prairie style of architecture. In 1967 Atkins became the first Albertan to receive the Massey Medal for Architecture.

Biography

Atkins was born Gordon Lee Kearl on 5 March 1937 in Calgary. Shortly after his birth his parents divorced and he moved to Cardston with his mother, living with her and his grandparents. Later he changed his last name to his mother's.

After a suggestion by his high school principal, Atikins decided to study architecture in university. Choosing to attend the University of Washington, he studied there from 1955 to 1960. Upon graduation Atkins took a job in Winnipeg with the firm Green Blankstein and Russell. After working a year in Winnipeg, in 1961 Atkins moved to Calgary where he joined the partnership Alton McCaul Bowers. In 1963 he opened his own practice under his own name. For his Melchin Summer Homes, in 1967 he became the first Albertan architect to win the Massey Medal for Architecture. In 1977 he formed a partnership with Robert E. Weston called Gordon Atkins and Associates Architects.

Atkins lived in a home at 1008 Durham Avenue South West in the Mount Royal neighbourhood in Calgary. He used the house to experiment ideas on, significantly modifying it during his residence. The house was demolished circa 2011. A Mormon, he has twice served as a bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Atkins's drawings are held at the Canadian Architectural Archives at the University of Calgary.

Works

Name City Address Year
Merle Derochie House Calgary 6725 Laird Crescent South West 1964
Bloch House Seattle 1964
Melchin Summer Homes Windermere 1966
Eugene Coste Elementary School (addition) Calgary 10 Hillgrove Crescent South West 1966
Alberta Government Telephones Building Calgary 800 34th Avenue South West 1966
Drahanchuk Studio Bragg Creek 1967
Mayland Heights Elementary School Calgary 2324 Maunsell Drive North East 1967
Leavitt House Calgary 920 Prospect Avenue South West 1969
Pinebrook Golf and Country Club Calgary 166 Pinebrook Way South West 1971
Stoney Tribal Administration Building Morley 1976
Falconridge Condominiums Calgary 2200 Varsity Estates Drive North West 1977
Indian Friendship Centre Calgary 140 2nd Avenue South West 1978
Shouldice Athletic Change Pavillion Calgary Shouldice Athletic Park 1979
Grande Prairie Regional College Electrical Training Facility Grande Prairie 10609 104th Avenue 1980
Southern Alberta Youth Development Centre Strathmore 630 Westchester Road 1980
Medicine Hat Provincial Building Medicine Hat 346 3rd Street South East 1981

References

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