UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA - RECOVERING THE UNIVERSITY FABRIC

Home

Overview

Rhodri Windsor-Liscombe

Point Grey Pre-University (pre-1890)

Emma Spenner Norman

Early History (1890-1949)

Diane Archibald

• Origins of UBC — Overview
• Building Inventory
• Sources
• Document List

Post-War Reconstruction (1950-1980)

Lara Tomaszewska

The Urban Community (1980-2003)

Lisa Moffatt

by Diane Archibald

Origins of UBC — Overview

This section of the research project Recovering The University Fabric covers 1890 to 1949. The early history of the university campus and buildings is well documented in the University Archives and Special Collections. This documentation is both textual and graphic, inclusive of the early history of the development of the site, building inventories, cartographic inventories, architectural archives (drawings, plans, specifications, contracts, and correspondence), buildings and facilities reports, early planning committee minutes and reports, historical photographs, President's Office minutes, Senate Reports, archives of the Alma Mater Society, and early editions of The Ubyssey, which date back to 1918. A number of books, which have been written on, and inclusive of, the early history of the university and the site are catalogued in the University Library and flagged on the University Archives' web site under "early history."

In addition to the university's archival and library collections, substantial documentation on the buildings of the university and campus plans exists in the Department of Campus and Community Planning. For example, in the foyer of the offices of CCP, a number of original watercolours and prints are displayed depicting early campus plans, and perspective renderings of early buildings. In the offices of CCP are a number of impressive historical photographs of the early campus and buildings.

The CCP collection is also inclusive of documentation and architectural drawings of unbuilt projects. This is a valuable resource as it provides evidence of architects and planners conceptualization of, and approaches to, building solutions for the university. This archival resource of unbuilt projects, also, provides alternative knowledge to the actual built form. A comparison between proposed building and planning solutions with the actual built form reveals differences of approaches and policies between governing bodies of the university and architects and planners. Such a comparison provides a basis of analysis as to governance and intervention in relation to the built environment of the university.

Campus and Community Planning has an on-line record retrieval data base, which consists primarily of key plans and some of the working drawings of the university buildings, including some of the first buildings to be constructed on campus such as the Science building and Main Library. This resource of architectural drawings is extensive, however, the majority of the architectural drawings are not on-line because of a lack of resources and as such need to be consulted in person.

Buried in the rich archival and architectural material of the university are sources of knowledge, which reveal policies, governance, gender issues, and ethnicity issues that are integral to the early history and fabric of the university. In addition to the holdings of the university archives, special collections, and Department of Campus and Community Planning, exist individual faculty archives, which house documentation on the history of the respective building, inclusive of building policies, plans, and architectural drawings.

Apart from archival material, there are a number of people on campus who are valuable resources as to the architecture and planning of the campus as well as building policies, which have dominated the life of the built environment of the university. Many of these people have retired, or are about to retire, and their vast knowledge will leave with them. It is critical for the stewardship of the history of the university and the Point Grey site to retain this valuable information of "oral histories" in some form such as interviews, which are transcribed.

Early University History Represented in the Collections

The early university building program was shaped and determined by a number of documents, textual and graphic, such as:  the "University Act of 1890"; an "Act to Establish and Incorporate a University," 1908; reports on the selection of a site; design briefs for the original building competition; and early campus plans.  In the archives, the President's Office fonds, contain documentation on the selection of the site in the form of letters and reports from the University Site Commissioners dated 1910, and a "Summary of Arguments" by the Lower Mainland Site Commission of the same year. An article, "Concerning the Choice of a Site for the University of British Columbia" by John L. Todd is indicative of the tensions that existed within the province as different regions competed for the opportunity to be the site of an institute of higher learning.

The genesis of the spatial construct of the university site and buildings can be traced through a series of documents, including the original design brief, "Instructions and Regulations of the Competition for University Buildings for the Provincial Government of British Columbia" dated in Victoria, B.C., February, 1912. Subsequent documents informed the early building program such as the report by the architectural competition jury to the Provincial Government of British Columbia dated November 13,1912, and a further report by the Commission appointed to examine and report on the general design for the university dated November 10, 1913.

Further documentation on the early history of the university exists in the form of building, cartographic, and architectural inventories. The extensive inventory of the university architects Sharp and Thompson (subsequently Thompson, Pratt, and Berwick) is inclusive of architectural drawings, plans, correspondence, contracts, minutes, and photographs for university projects.

The university archives also houses the private fonds of Thomas Hooper and Frank Buck, which provide additional and insightful information on the early history of the university. Thomas Hooper, a Vancouver architect, participated in the Provincial Government competition for the original design of the university. His entry was rejected in favour of the design proposal submitted by Sharp and Thompson. Nevertheless, his fonds, which consist of architectural drawings, plans, photographs, and descriptions provide a rich account of the architectural competition and insight into the architectural culture of Vancouver.

The Frank Buck fonds are also an important resource on the early history of the campus. Dr. Buck was a professor of horticulture, beginning in 1920, and subsequently supervisor of campus development. His fonds are comprised of architectural plans, maps, posters, and personal papers in relation to the campus and municipality of Vancouver. These inventories are available for consultation in the archives, special collections, and on-line.

Building Records as a Knowledge Resource

Building records, inventories, maps, architectural drawings and plans are important knowledge resources for social, economic, political, and cultural information. Social, political, and cultural events influenced and shaped the early building programs of the university.

Both World Wars had an impact on the building programs. For example, the early building program of the university was interrupted by World War I.  Student response to the interrupted building program is recorded textually and visually, in the Great Trek of 1922.  In contrast, there was an increase in building on campus after World War II to accommodate returning veterans. Maps, plans, and photographs further document military influence on the built form of the university as in the establishment of fortifications on the university site and a defense line of gun ramparts, overlooking Georgia Strait and the entrance to English Bay. Cartographic material of the Point Grey Battery, which is housed in Special Collections, includes maps, plans, and drawings from the Engineer Services Branch, Department of National Defense.

In reference to cultural issues represented within the fabric of the university, issues of race, ethnicity, and gender can be traced through building records and programs.

The range of visual material recording the early built history of the university is extensive, from elaborate original and modified architectural plans, presentation drawings, and watercolours to cartographic materials. This material when compared to historical photographs provides contrasting images of the conceptualization of the university to the actual built environment. These contrasting representations of the university's built environment provide a rich resource for an exhibition.

This report on the early history of the university is inclusive of a building inventory of permanent and semi-permanent buildings from 1912 to 1949; a list of historical photographs; sources of collections, holdings, and inventories, including on-line sources; and a list of relevant documents and influencing events.

Building Inventory

Early building on the university site was categorized as to permanent buildings, semi-permanent, and temporary.

Permanent buildings:

Science, Main Library, and Powerhouse.

1. Science Building (now Chemistry) (permanent building)

   Listed in:

   • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1914-1915; 1923-1925.
   • Architects: Sharp and Thompson.
   • Campus and Community Planning, working drawings, record retrieval A1-136, shows construction date as 1926.
   • University Archives, UBC Buildings Inventory. Box 2. Includes specifications, correspondence with Government, and building progress reports.
   • Archives. UBC Buildings Inventory. Folders 33 - 38. Box 8, Folders 6, 7.
   • Historical photographs

2. Main Library (permanent building)

   Listed in:

   • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1924-1925.
   • Architects: Sharp and Thompson.
   • Campus and Community Planning, 9 working drawings, record retrieval 516, indicates construction as 1923.
   • University Archives, UBC Buildings Inventory. Box 1. Correspondence related to building, contract, and government. Box 2. Includes specifications.
   • Archives. UBC Buildings Inventory. Folders 17 -26. Box 7, Folders 20, 21. Box 18, Folders 6-12.
   • Historical photographs.

3. Power House (permanent building)

   Listed in:

   • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1924-1925.
   • Architects: Sharp and Thompson.
   • Campus and Community Planning, working drawings and key plans, record retrieval 724-726. Construction date indicated as 1925.
   • University Archives, UBC Buildings Inventory. Box 2. Correspondence with Government. Box 8. Includes specifications, correspondence.
   • Archives. UBC Buildings Inventory. Folders 30, 31. Box 7, Folder 23. Box 8, Folders 1-3. Box 23, Folders 13-16.
   • Historical photographs

Semi-permanent buildings:

Mathematics, administration, auditorium, arts, agriculture, horticulture, agronomy, applied science, livestock barns, farm cottages, engineering laboratories (mechanical and electrical), mining, metallurgy, and hydraulic building, and forest products building.

4. Mathematics Building (semi-permanent)

   Listed in:

   • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1924-1925.
   • Architects: Provincial Department of Public Works.
   • Campus and Community Planning, working drawing, record retrieval, 518. Construction date 1925.
   • University Archives
   • Historical photographs

5. Old Administration Building (semi-permanent)

   Listed in:

   • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1924-1925.
   • Architects: Provincial Department of Public Works.
   • Campus and Community Planning, working drawing, record retrieval A1-017. Construction date 1924.
   • University Archives
   • Historical photographs

6. Auditorium Building (semi-permanent)

   Listed in:

   • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1924-1925.
   • Architects: Provincial Department of Public Works.
   • Campus and Community Planning, working drawing, record retrieval 044. Construction date 1925.
   • University Archives
   • Historical photographs

7. Old Forestry Building

   Listed in:

   • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1924-1925.
   • Architects: Provincial Department of Public Works.

8. Applied Science Building

   Listed in:

   • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1924-1925.
   • Architects: Provincial Department of Public Works.
   • University Archives, UBC Buildings Inventory. Box 16. Includes specifications, contracts.
   • Archives. UBC Buildings Inventory. Folders 4-6. Box 16, Folders 6-10.
   • Campus and Community Planning, no records found.

9. Mining, Metallurgy and Hydraulic Building

   Listed in:

   • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1924-1925.
   • Architects: Provincial Department of Public Works.

10. Anglican Theological College (permanent)

    Listed in:

    • University Archives, UBC Buildings Inventory. Box 7. Includes specifications, hand-written notes, correspondence.
    • Archives. UBC Buildings Inventory. Folder 2.
    • Archives. UBC Buildings Inventory. Box 7, Folders 1-10.
    • Archives. UBC Buildings Inventory. Theological Colleges Plan, 1913. Box 9, Folder 14. Box 24, Folders 15-18. Box 25, Folders 1-4.
    • Campus and Community Planning, no records found.
    • Listed as:
    • Vancouver School of Theology
    • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1927.
    • Architects: Max B. Downing of Sharp and Thompson.

11. Union College

    Listed in:

    • University Archives. Buildings Inventory. Folders 39-41. Box 9, Folders 4-12.
    • Campus and Community Planning, no records found.
    • Listed as:
    • Vancouver School of Theology, Iona Building.
    • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1927.
    • Architects: Sharp and Thompson.

12. Old Gymnasium

    Listed in:

    • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1929.
    • Architects: Sharp and Thompson.
    • In 1950 became Women's Gymnasium.
    • Demolished 1971.

13. Green College, Graham Residence

    Listed in:

    • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1930.

14. Stadium

    Listed in:

    • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1931.
    • Playing Field. Architect, Frank Buck. 1931.
    • Grandstand. Architect, Sharp and Thompson. 1937.
    • Campus and Community Planning, working drawings, record retrieval 785.
    • Construction date indicated as 1967.
    • University Archives, UBC Buildings Inventory. Box 9. Includes specifications, progress.

15. Fort Point Grey

    Listed as:

    • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1939.
    • Built by Department of National Defense.
    • Originally military fort with gun turrets, power station, and watch towers.

16. Acadia Camp

    Listed as:

    • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1941.
    • Built by Department of National Defense.

17. Armoury

    Listed in:

    • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1941.
    • Architects: Sharp and Thompson.
    • Built and used for military training in World War II.
    • University Archives, UBC Buildings Inventory. Box 7. Construction contract, specifications, correspondence, articles.
    • Archives. UBC Buildings Inventory. Folder 2, 3.
    • Archives. UBC Buildings Inventory. Box 7, Folders 11-17.
    • Campus and Community Planning, no records found.

18. Brock Hall

    Listed in:

    • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1939-1940.
    • Architects: Sharp and Thompson.
    • Campus and Community Planning, working drawings, record retrieval 112-113.
    • Construction date indicated as 1940.
    • University Archives. Buildings Inventory. Folder 13.

19. Biological Sciences Building

    Listed in:

    • Campus and Community Planning, working drawings, record retrieval 064-070.
    • University Archives. Buildings Inventory. Folders 8-10.

20. Law Building

    Listed in:

    • University Archives. Buildings Inventory. Folder 16.

21. Physics Building

    Listed in:

    • University Archives. Buildings Inventory. Folder 29. Box 22, Folder 14. Box 23, Folders 1-12.

22. Wesbrook Building

    Listed in:

    • Campus and Community Planning, working drawings, record retrieval 533, 864-876.
    • Construction indicated as 1957.
    • University Archives. Buildings Inventory. Folders 44-45.

23. President's Residence

    Listed in:

    • University Archives. Buildings Inventory. Box 24, Folder 7.

24. Agricultural Engineering Building

    Listed in:

    • University Archives. Buildings Inventory. Box 24, Folders 12-14.

25. Totem Park

    Listed in:

    • UBC Buildings Facilities List, original construction 1948.
    • Architect: Frank Buck.
    • Location: Agronomy Road and S.W. Marine Drive.
    • Construction of Haida section 1959-1962.

26. War Memorial Gym (permanent)

    Listed in:

    • Campus and Community Planning, working drawings and key plans, record retrieval 428. Construction date indicated as 1950.
    • University Archives, UBC Buildings Inventory. Folder 34 sheets, 1947 - 1951; 19 sheets, 1949.
    • University Archives, UBC Buildings Inventory. Folders 42, 43. Box 17, Folders 8-12.

27. Mary Bollert Hall (Women's Residences) (permanent)

    Listed in:

    • Campus and Community Planning, working drawings, and key plans, record retrieval 614. Construction date indicated as 1950.
    • University Archives, UBC Buildings Inventory. Folder 24 sheets, 1949 - 1950.
    • University Archives, UBC Buildings Inventory. Folders 47, 48. Box 26, Folders 9-14.
    • President's Office Minutes

Note: Campus and Community Planning Collection contains an archive of unbuilt projects covering this time frame.

Sources

Historical Photographs

Fairview Site

• Location: Archives

Permanent Buildings: Library, Science, Power House.

• Location: Archives
• Bibliography: Buildings and Equipment of the University of British Columbia.
• Prepared by University Extension Committee. September, 1925.

Science Building

• Date: 1926, record no. 1.1/385.
• Photographer, Frank Leonard.
• Location: Archives

Semi-Permanent Buildings: Administration, Auditorium, Arts, Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, Live Stock Barns, Farm Cottages, Applied Science, Botanical Garden, Engineering Laboratory (Mechanical and Electrical laboratories), Mining, Metallurgy, Hydraulic building, and Forest Products building.

Campus

Panoramic view of campus depicts clearing of land.

• Date: May, 1924.
• Location: Archives
• Bibliography: Buildings and Equipment of the University of British Columbia.
• Prepared by University Extension Committee. September, 1925.

Panoramic view of building project in progress.

• Date: May, 1925.
• Location: Archives
• Bibliography: Buildings and Equipment of the University of British Columbia.
• Prepared by University Extension Committee. September, 1925.

Point Grey Campus

• Date: 1925.
• Location: Archives

Campus Plan 1925

• Depicts buildings and grounds with legend of permanent and semi-permanent buildings.
• Bibliography: Buildings and Equipment of the University of British Columbia.
• Prepared by University Extension Committee. September, 1925.

Aerial view of campus depicts Science and Library buildings, ca. 1930, record no. 1.1/13438.

• Location: Archives

UBC Buildings

Album, 1915 -1925.

• Includes 99 linen-backed photoprints of construction of the Science building, Library, Power-house, and semi-permanent buildings.
• Location: Archives. Building Inventory. Box 5

Photographs, 1925 - 1959.

• Include laying of the cornerstone of the Science Building, Library, and UBC site plan, n.d.
• Location: Archives. Building Inventory. Box 4

Album, 1947 - 1951.

• Includes album of linen-backed photoprints of construction of Law building, War Memorial Gymnasium, Women’s Residence, Biological Sciences, and Applied Science building.
• Location: Archives. Building Inventory. Box 5.

UBC Library/Journals

Ubyssey

• From 1918 on
• LH3 B7 U4 Rare Books and Special Collections
• 80 years of the Ubyssey student newspaper.

UBC Reports

• From 1955
• LE3 B8k U2

UBC Fine Arts Library Vertical Files

Contains newspaper clippings, pamphlets, and photographs.

Cartographic Inventories

www.library.ubc.ca/spcoll/Index.html

Building Inventories

• UBC Building Inventory www.library.ubc.ca/archives/chrono.html
• Thompson, Berwick, Pratt and Partners Building Inventory www.library.ubc.ca/archives/u_arch/tbp&p.html
• Thomas Hooper Fonds (Architect) www.library.ubc.ca/archives/u_arch/hooper.html
• Frank Buck Fonds (Professor) www.library.ubc.ca/archives/u_arch/buckplans.html

Maps and Plans of the University of British Columbia Campus and the University Endowment Lands

www.library.ubc.ca/archives/u_arch/campusplans.html

UBC Historical Photograph Database

angel.library.ubc.ca

University Archives and Records Management Services

www.library.ubc.ca/archives/u_arch.html

UBC Department of Building and Grounds

1925-1967

Campus and Community Planning

• www2.planning.ubc.ca/Arc/ms/welcome.htm 
• Working drawings, on-line record retrieval.
• Note: CCP collection is also inclusive of working drawings and key plans for early buildings.

Architects, Sharp and Thompson Building Inventory

Architects, Thompson, Berwick, Pratt, and Partners Building Inventory

University of British Columbia, architectural drawings, 1268 plans

See on-line inventory: www.library.ubc.ca/spcoll/ubc_arch/u_arch/tbp&p2.html  

UBC Calendars

• Governance
• Departments and Faculty Members
• 1915-1930, 1931-1945, 1946-1960.

University of British Columbia Senate Minutes

Additional on-line sources

UBC Library www.library.ubc.ca/finearts/ubc_guide.html

This web site is a compilation of university holdings on the history of the University of British Columbia, the Campus, and the Endowment Lands. It is subdivided into categories such as: books, bibliographies, encyclopedias, indexes to journals and newspapers, journals, maps and plans, theses, vertical files, images, and web resources.

UBC Archives

www.library.ubc.ca/archives

A Brief History of the University of British Columbia.

www.library.ubc.ca/archives/hist_ubc.html

Bibliographies

• Buildings and Equipment of the University of British Columbia.  Prepared by University Extension Committee, September, 1925.
• Researching the history of the University of British Columbia; a bibliography of sources.
• ZLE3 B7 B82 U54 1994 Rare Books and Special Collections.
• Kalman, Harold. Exploring Vancouver: The Essential Architectural Guide. NA747 V3 K34 1993 FAD
• Windsor-Liscombe, Rhodri. The New Spirit: Modern Architecture in Vancouver, 1938-1963. NA747 V3 L58 1997 FA
• Macdonald, Bruce. Vancouver a Visual History. G1174 V3 M32 1992

University of British Columbia People Resources

• Dr. Rhodri Windsor-Liscombe
• Jim Carruthers, Department of Campus and Community Planning
• Jack Lascelle, Department of Campus and Community Planning
• Diana Cooper, Fine Arts Librarian (architectural and cultural history of the university)

Archives

• 1890 -- Act Respecting University of British Columbia
• 1906-1915 -- McGill University College of British Columbia
• 1908 -- An Act to Establish and Incorporate a University
• 1910 -- Site Commission Report
• 1912 -- Competition for University Buildings for the Provincial Government of British Columbia. Instructions and regulations.
• 1913 -- Report of jury for design competition
• President's Office Minutes
• Early Planning Committee Policies and Minutes
• Alma Mater Society (AMS) Minutes, Correspondence
• Building Inventory. Newspaper clippings, 1916-1957. Location: Archives. Box 6.
• Building Inventory. Reports. February, 1912. Location: Archives. Box 6.
• Building Inventory. Maps, plans. 1920s. Location: Archives. Box 6.
• Building Inventory. Journals, pamphlets, 1913-1927. Location: Archives. Box 6.
• Building Inventory. President and Committee on Building Program, 1945-1947. Location: Archives. Box 31, Folders 8-9.
• Building Inventory. Enlarged Campus Development Plan, 1954-1955. Location: Archives. Box 31, Folder 10.
• New Building Program. 1956-1963. Location: Archives. Box 31, Folder 11.
• Campus Development Plans, 1958-1962. Location: Archives. Box 31, Folders 11-15.
• Provincial Department of Public Works Correspondence, 1949. Location: Archives. Box 28, Folders 1-3.

Influencing Events

• Early building phase determined by site development
• 1913 - clearing site of Point Grey Campus
• Impact of World War I on initial university building program
• Student Campaign, Great Trek, 1922
• After 1922 building program resumes
• Spring 1924, work begins on frame and stucco buildings
• Inauguration of buildings, 1925
• Building program of semi-permanent buildings begun
• Impact of World War II on university building program
• Student funding campaigns influence building initiatives

Document List

Document 1

Key Descriptor:

Early university building records. Instructions and Regulations of the Competition for University Buildings for the Provincial Government of British Columbia.

• Text: 6 pages
• Image:
• Map:
• Architectural Drawing:

Date:

February, 1912

Repository:

UBC Archives, President’s Office Fonds

• Box no. 8

Bibliographic Sources:

The Minister of Education, Parliament Buildings, Instructions and Regulations of the Competition for University Buildings for the Provincial Government of British Columbia. Victoria, British Columbia, February, 1912.

Key Connectors to Matrix:

Building directive, early building program, building cultural.

Notes:

Initial design brief for the architectural competition for the University of British Columbia on the Point Grey site. The six-page design brief produced by the Provincial Government in February 1912 outlines the instructions and regulations of "The Competition for University Buildings for the Provincial Government of British Columbia."

Document 2

Key Descriptor:

Early History of UBC (cartographic material)

• Text:
• Image:
• Map: Maps from a collection of early records of the University of British Columbia
• Architectural Drawing:

Date:

ca. 1912 - 1915

Repository:

UBC Archives

• File no.: Early History of UBC file

Bibliographic Sources:

University of British Columbia. "Early History of UBC: Maps from a Collection of Early Records of the University of British Columbia."  Vancouver, B.C.:  University of British Columbia,  ca. 1912 - 1915.

Key Connectors to Matrix:

Early history

Notes:

Document 3

Key Descriptor:

Early building record. Report on the General Design for the University.

• Text: letter and report, 46 pages
• Image:
• Map:
• Architectural Drawing:

Date:

November 10, 1913

Repository:

University Archives

• File no.: Early History

Bibliographic Sources:

Laird, Mawson, Duley, Sharpe and Thompson, Report by the Commission Appointed to Examine and Report on the General Design for the University.

Key Connectors to Matrix:

Established building policies for the university inclusive of the architectural style and campus planning.

Notes:

This report by the Commission is substantially more comprehensive then the design brief produced by the Provincial Government. The appointed Commission determined that the government design brief was lacking and outlined in 46 pages detailed building instructions for the development of the university site and buildings inclusive of the architectural style, building materials, and site plan.

Document 4

Key Descriptor:

Military influence on university building program.

• Text:
• Image:
• Map:
• Architectural Drawing:  Engineering Drawings, 4 plans.

Date:

December 1939

Repository:

University Archives

• File no.:  Drawing Folder, location 8

Bibliographic Sources:

Moogk, Peter,  Department of National Defense: Point Grey Battery  Vancouver: British Columbia, 1939.

Key Connectors to Matrix:

Military history on campus.

Notes:

The engineering drawings are for the Department of National Defense. The drawings consist of sections depicting tunnels, ammunition storage, gun emplacement, and three gun pits for the Point Grey Battery, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Document 5

Key Descriptor:

Maps and Plans, 1923 – 1962, from the Department of Buildings and Grounds.

• Text:
• Image:
• Map: Maps and plans
• Architectural Drawing:

Date:

1923 - 1962

Repository:

UBC Archives

Bibliographic Sources:

Department of Physical Plant.  Maps and Plans from the Files of the Department of Buildings and Grounds and its Successor, the Department of Physical Plant. Vancouver, B.C.: University of British Columbia, 1923 - 1962.

Key Connectors to Matrix:

Early history. Buildings and building programs

Notes:

Document 6

Key Descriptor:

Original UBC Plan

• Text:
• Image:
• Map:
• Architectural Drawing:  Original UBC plan,  A1912-1

Date:

ca. 1912

Repository:

Archives; and Department of Campus and Community Planning

• File no.:

Key Connectors to Matrix:

Early building history and campus planning.

Notes:

• This was the winning entry by the architects Sharpe and Thompson for the buildings of the University.
• Lower left: BC emblem.  Inscribed : University of British Columbia For The Provincial Government No. 1

Document 7

Key Descriptor:

UBC Plan

• Text:
• Image:
• Map:
• Architectural Drawing:  Plan of university

Date:

ca 1913.

Repository:

Archives; and Department of Campus and Community Planning

• File no.:

Key Connectors to Matrix:

Early building history and campus planning.

Notes:

Indicates division of campus site into areas of disciplines and activities as: Great Assembly Hall, School of Agriculture, School of Pedagogy, Fine Arts, Theological Square, School of Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, School of Engineering, School of Mines, Power Plant, Arts and Languages, dormitories, dining hall, parade ground, athletic field, Botanical garden,  and the Alumni garden.

Document 8

Key Descriptor:

Revised University Plan, 1914

• Text:
• Image:
• Map:
• Architectural Drawing:  Campus plan

Date:

1914

Repository:

Archives; Campus and Community Planning

• File no.:

Key Connectors to Matrix:

Theological, sports, and women’s precinct

Notes:

Revised plan articulates separate precincts as: Administration, Library, Convocation Hall, Arts, Mines, Science, Forestry, Engineering, Medicine, Theological, Stadium and Athletics, Parade Ground, Women’s College, and Women’s Athletic Field.

Document 9

Key Descriptor:

Architects Sharp and Thompson. Modified early plan, Bird’s eye-view, 1914.

• Text:
• Image:
• Map:
• Architectural Drawing:  Plan, Bird's eye-view

Date:

June 1914

Repository:

Department of Campus and Community Planning; and UBC Archives

Key Connectors to Matrix:

Theological, sports, women’s area

Notes:

• Inscribed: Sharp and Thompson, Architects, London Building. Vancouver, BC. June 1914
• Illustrates parade ground and drill hall with an obelisk.

Document 10

Key Descriptor:

University Endowment Lands, 1926

• Text:
• Image:
• Map:
• Architectural Drawing:  Plan; larger and smaller image of plan

Date:

September 13, 1926

Repository:

Department of Campus and Community Planning, and UBC Special Collections

• File no.: Special Collections, Loc. 18 F, 1926.1, c.1

Key Connectors to Matrix:

Early building history, planning, and division of the Endowment Lands.

Notes:

• Department of Lands, University Endowment Lands, District Lot 140, Series F. Dated 1926.
• Shows the wireless station on the plan.

Document 11

Key Descriptor:

Thompson, Berwick, Pratt and Partners: Architectural Drawings List

• Text: manuscripts and photocopies
• Image:
• Map:
• Architectural Drawing:  approximately 4682 drawings and plans of various sizes

Date:

1912 - 1974

Repository:

UBC Archives

• Box no. Folders 1 to 50.  Boxes 6 to 73. Tubes 1 to 63.

Key Connectors to Matrix:

Building history, building culture, campus planning.

Notes:

• Extensive archival collection from 1912 to 1974 of the university buildings by the original university architects Sharp and Thompson, later known as the firm Thompson, Berwick, Pratt and Partners.
• This component of the architects' archive focuses on the architectural drawings and is inclusive of: plans, working drawings, presentation drawings, and correspondence. The list provides complete and detailed descriptions of all architectural drawings.
• The fonds are organized as to two distinct groups of material.  The first group includes drawings, plans, photographs, proposals, sketches, surveys, schedules, correspondence and reports for university buildings dating from 1912 to 1974.  The second group consists of records primarily relating to other building projects in Vancouver, British Columbia and elsewhere.

Document 12

Key Descriptor:  Thompson, Berwick, Pratt and Partners: UBC Buildings

Text: textual records

Image: photographs

Map:

Architectural Drawing:  This architectural drawings list documents approximately 3402 architectural drawings.

Date: 1912 - 1974

Repository:  UBC Archives

Box no.  Box 1 to 34.

Bibliographic Sources:

Bellyk, Jayne. "The Firm that Built Vancouver: An Administrative History of Thompson, Berwick, Pratt & Partners," University of British Columbia: History Paper, April 14, 1989.

Key Connectors to Matrix:

Building program, policies, building culture.

Notes:

• Thompson, Berwick, Pratt & Partners fonds cover 1912-1974. The fonds are inclusive of over 4700 architectural drawings and 369 photographs. The majority of architectural drawings of this fond are documented under "Architectural Drawings List."
• The architects Sharp and Thompson held the winning entry for the 1912 Provincial Government competition for the university campus. The firm built the first four original campus buildings, and became the official architectural firm of the university, a position, which it held until late into the 1950s. The firm then expanded to Sharp, Thompson, Berwick, and Pratt in 1945. Sharp resigned in 1955, and the name of the firm was changed to Thompson, Berwick & Pratt. Eventually, the firm merged with two engineering companies and became Thompson, Berwick, Pratt & Partners.
• The fonds comprise the business records of the architectural firm Sharp & Thompson from 1912 to 1974. The records consist of architectural drawings, photographs, signed contracts, specifications, minutes, correspondence, quotations, financial statements, reports, signed forms of tender, certificates of insurance, and memoranda. They document the planning for, and construction of, the University of British Columbia buildings designed and built by the architectural firm. The fonds also document the architectural firm's activities on buildings in Vancouver and the Province of British Columbia. Some of the files represent unsuccessful bids on projects.
• This inventory of architectural drawings of the university buildings is comprised mainly of original drawings and blueprints. The range of media varies from blueprints to white prints and linen architectural drawings, as well as mylar copies; photographs of buildings at various stages of construction; related correspondence, journals, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, and other published materials. This archival collection is also inclusive of ozalid architectural drawings.

Document 13

Key Descriptor:

Thomas Hooper Fonds

• Text: two bound volumes
• Image:
• Map:
• Architectural Drawing: 30 architectural drawings. Includes large architectural drawing of bird's-eye sketch of campus, coloured. Sketches for the proposed University of British Columbia.

Date:

1912.

Repository:

UBC Archives

• Box no.

Key Connectors to Matrix:

Early building history.

Notes:

Thomas Hooper was an architect in Vancouver and Victoria. He was one of the competitors in the original government competition for the university buildings on the Point Grey site. His design was not successful in the 1912 competition, however, his work presents an alternative conceptualization to the design of the university campus and buildings.

Document 14

Key Descriptor:

Frank Buck Fonds

• Text:  personal papers of Professor Frank Buck
• Image:  posters, charts.
• Map: 81 maps
• Architectural Drawing:  architectural plans

Date:

1926-1949

Repository:

UBC Archives. Location 8. Maps removed and in separate location.

Key Connectors to Matrix:

Campus development.

Notes:

• Vancouver, Point Grey, and University of British Columbia maps, architectural plans, and posters. Maps in the collection are of the campus and city between 1926 and 1949.
• Professor Buck was supervisor of campus development from 1946 to 1949. He was also a former chairman of the Point Grey Town Planning Commission