The Studio yearbook of decorative art (1916)

DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE IN
CANADA. BY F. S. BAKER, F.R.I.B.A.
IN letting one’s mind dwell upon Canadian homes, perhaps the first
thought should be that Canada, with its limited wealth and, as yet,
sparse population, should not in this respect be compared with
those countries which now contain vast populations and unlimited
wealth. For this reason simplicity rules, and perhaps the outstanding
feature is “ comfort,” with a large degree of good taste.
While the climate of Canada—extending as the country does nearly
four thousand miles from east to west—varies in the different parts,
there is no district in which frost may not be encountered at some time
during the year; consequently all permanent homes are of construction
sufficiently heavy to exclude the extremes of weather. Brilliant sun-
light is, however, one of the blessings of every district, and as a conse-
quence colour forms an important element in the external and internal
adornment of dwellings.
As in all countries, the city house and the country house are quite
distinct; but I think that in Canada there is less difference in this
respect. The reason of this is probably due to the fact that Canadian
cities are spread over large areas, and homes, instead of being built in
continuous rows or blocks, are more frequently quite detached, and very
often surrounded by considerable open ground. This condition, with
the genuinely good architecture conceded to the Canadian house of
to-day, makes for pleasant city streets with many trees and much
green sward, with accompanying shrubbery and beds of flowers. The
absence of fences separating the properties from the street is also dis-
tinctive, and it is remarkable that no damage occurs to property owing
to the omission of these barriers. The absence of the barrier is not uni-
versal, as one occasionally finds premises quite enclosed, as in England.
The use of the motor-car by the man of moderate income has brought
about well-paved drives, in addition to foot-paths, and in many cases
covered porte cocheres are applied to even modest homes.
Canada is rich in beautiful building materials and many generations will
pass before the local demand for these exceeds the supply. Stone adapted
for house-building may be found in almost every shade of colour, in-
cluding a great many beautiful marbles. The exterior of the Canadian
home of better class, therefore, generally includes a considerable amount
■of stone-work, in fact the house is often entirely built of stone ; or it
may be of stone and stucco on brick walls ; or of stone and brick. To
the visiting architect or craftsman the masonry of the houses is not by
.any means the least interesting feature. All important houses have large
.chimneys carried well up, and as the open fireplace is very popular in
Canada, large houses usually have several chimneys. No matter what
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