Catherine Mary Wisnicki facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Catherine Mary Wisnicki
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Arvida, Quebec, 1928
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| Born |
Catherine Chard
September 19, 1919 |
| Died | October 21, 2014 (aged 95) |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Alma mater | McGill University |
| Known for | architecture, urban planning |
| Movement | Modernist architecture |
| Spouse(s) | Paul Wisnicki |
| Awards | Honorary Doctorate of Science, McGill University, 1996 |
Catherine Mary Wisnicki (born Chard, September 19, 1919 – October 21, 2014) was a Canadian architect, city planner, and teacher. She was the first woman to graduate from the McGill University School of Architecture. Most of her career was spent in Vancouver, where she was a senior designer for a company called Sharp, Thompson, Berwick, Pratt. She also taught at the University of British Columbia's school of architecture.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Education
Catherine Mary Wisnicki was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1919. She studied history at McGill University and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1939. After that, she continued her studies and earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1943. She made history by becoming the first woman to graduate from architecture at McGill.
Starting Her Career
Early in her career, Catherine worked with other architects. She also helped plan the town of Arvida, Québec, for the Aluminum Company of Canada. This company is now known as Alcan.
Right after World War II, she looked into "prefabricated housing." These are houses built in parts in a factory and then put together on site. She even wrote an important article about them with a city planner named E.G. Faludi in 1945.
Moving to Vancouver
In 1945, Catherine joined the Ontario Association of Architects. She was only the fourth woman to become a member. That same year, she married Paul Wisnicki, who was an engineer from the Polish Air Force.
In 1946, Catherine and Paul moved to Vancouver. There, she became the second woman to join the Architectural Institute of British Columbia.
Designing Iconic Homes
Catherine spent most of her career in Vancouver. She became a top designer at the firm Sharp, Thompson, Berwick, Pratt. This company later became Thompson Berwick and Pratt and Partners. She worked closely with a partner named Ned Pratt.
Together, they helped design several famous homes. These included the Brooks, Saba, Gregg, and Mathers residences. These houses are seen as important examples of a style called West Coast Modernism. She also worked with architect John C.H. Porter on the Daniels and Nemetz houses. These homes are also considered very important in architecture.
Teaching Architecture
In 1963, Catherine started teaching part-time at the University of British Columbia's school of architecture. She enjoyed it so much that she joined the faculty full-time in 1969.
Retirement and Innovation
After she retired in 1986, Catherine and her husband moved to Naramata, British Columbia. There, they designed and built a special house. It was an innovative passive solar house, meaning it used the sun's energy to heat and light the home.
Her Impact
A Pioneer in Architecture
Catherine Wisnicki was a pioneer in her field. This means she was one of the first women to achieve so much in a profession mostly made up of men. She was the first woman to graduate from McGill University's architecture school. She was also one of the first women to join important architect groups in Ontario and British Columbia.
West Coast Modernism
Catherine helped bring new ideas about modern design to Canada's West Coast after the war. She was part of a group that created a unique regional style. It's known as West Coast Modernism or BC Modernism. This style often used big wooden or concrete parts. It also made sure the inside of the house felt connected to the outdoors.
