Jerome Markson

The Group Health Centre, Designed by Jerome Markson
Looking down a Group Health Centre Stairwell

Jerome Markson (1929 – November 18, 2023) was a Canadian architect based in Toronto, Ontario.[1] He was perhaps best known for his multi-family urban housing projects such as Alexandra Park Public Housing.[2]

Life

Early life

Above their father's street-level medical practice, Markson and his siblings were raised between two booming immigrant neighbourhoods, Kensington Market and the (no longer existent) Ward.[3] His parents Etta and Charles were eastern European immigrants from Lithuania and Poland respectively.[3]

Education

In 1948, Markson began his architectural studies at the University of Toronto along with other members of a new generation of architects who emerged after the war.[4] He, along with the rest of his first year peers began their studies in a building which had been used as a bomb-making facility during WWII in Ajax, Ontario.[5]

Looking upward at the Group Health Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Markson also attended summer courses at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where his design style and philosophy was greatly impacted by Eliel Saarinen, a long-time director of the school. It was here where he would also meet ceramics artist, and his soon-to-be spouse Mayta Silver.[6]

Death

Markson died in Toronto on November 18, 2023, at the age of 94.[7]

Career

Markson began his architecture career working in smaller positions for architects Eugene G. Faludi, James Murray, George Robb and Venchiarutti & Venchiarutti.[3]

Practice

In 1955, he opened his practice in post-WWII Toronto.[8] He worked independently under the name Jerome Markson Architect for the majority of his career, except for two occasions in which he partnered with Ernie Hodgson and Ronji Borooah from 1992-1999 and 1992-2005, respectively.[9]

Style

Markson was known for his innovative use of lightwells, atriums, courtyards and greenspaces to blur the line between the interior and exterior.[2]

Notable works

  • Goldblatt Residence, 1955[10]
  • Bathurst Jewish Centre, 1961[11]
  • Group Health Centre, 1962[12]
  • Alexandra Park, 1965[13]
  • David B. Archer Co-operative Housing, 1976[14]
  • Market Square Condominiums, 1980[15]

Awards

In 2022, Markson's contributions as a Canadian architect were recognized when he received the Gold Medal by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.[3]

References

  1. ^ Lam, Elsa (2022-05-01). "2022 RAIC Gold Medal: Jerome Markson". Canadian Architect. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  2. ^ a b Miller, Laura (2020). Toronto's Inclusive Modernity. Figure 1 Publishing. ISBN 9781773270012.
  3. ^ a b c d Canada, Royal Architectural Institute of (2022-03-22). "RAIC Gold Medal 2022 Recipient". Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  4. ^ "Jerome Markson, architect, alumnus and the RAIC's 2022 Gold Medal recipient: an appreciation | Daniels". www.daniels.utoronto.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  5. ^ Miller, Laura (2020). Toronto's Inclusive Modernity. Figure 1 Publishing. ISBN 9781773270012.
  6. ^ "Markson awarded RAIC Gold Medal for contributions to architecture - constructconnect.com". Daily Commercial News. 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  7. ^ Niland, Josh (2023-11-21). "Canadian housing pioneer and RAIC Gold Medalist Jerome Markson passes away at 94". Archinect. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  8. ^ Canada, Royal Architectural Institute of (2022-03-25). "Press Release: Jerome Markson announced as the recipient of the 2022 RAIC Gold Medal". Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  9. ^ "Markson awarded RAIC Gold Medal for contributions to architecture - constructconnect.com". Daily Commercial News. 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  10. ^ "The Markson House at Historical Hamilton". historicalhamilton.com. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  11. ^ "Bathurst Jewish Centre". www.acotoronto.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  12. ^ Lam, Elsa (2022-05-01). "2022 RAIC Gold Medal: Jerome Markson". Canadian Architect. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  13. ^ "The rethinking of 'Alex Park' public housing complex". thestar.com. 2010-04-11. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  14. ^ LeBlanc, Dave (2020-01-30). "Jerome Markson: A six-decade career celebrated at new gallery show". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  15. ^ Lam, Elsa (2020-04-01). "Markson's Mark". Canadian Architect. Retrieved 2023-03-22.