McGill Library
McLennan Library Building3459 rue McTavish
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 0C9
Houses for W.M. and J.H. Birks
File
42 drawings : 7 ink on linen, 1 ink on paper, 33 pencil on paper, 1 blueprint
2 photographs
File consists of architectural drawings for urban houses (semi-detached, basement, 2 floors, 4 bedrooms, 2 servants' rooms; stone; roughcast; composite) and photographs (1 plan, 1 finished exterior). Drawings include:
2 survey drawings: site contours, site plan
7 working drawings: block plan, floor plan, elevations, section
32 detail drawings: windows, block plan, stonework (including entrance doors), doors, eaves, woodwork (including brackets, verandahs, balconies, staircase, panel, skirting, post, trellis), stairs, vent hoods, plasterwork (incl. cornices), window, lighting, flower box, fittings
1 record drawing: floor plans
H.L. Fetherstonhaugh, A.R.I.B.A., in his article entitled “Recent Domestic Architecture in The Province of Quebec” considers “ the struggle in architectural design to adapt itself to modern conditions, social and economic, and to make use of all the inventions and conveniences which have recently been developed.” The author includes the semi-detached houses for W.M. and J.H. Birks designed by Nobbs and Hyde in his article as a worthy example of how these conditions have been realized and overcome with skill, care and perfection. H. L. Fetherstonhaugh, “Recent Domestic Architecture in the Province of Quebec,” JRAIC 5 (May 1928) : 171.