Isadore "Issie" Coop (1926–2003) was a Canadian architect and a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, with a reputation for highly functional, cost-effective architecture. A student of the famed American-German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Coop brought the Miesian style to Winnipeg, and changed the face of Winnipeg architecture, according to one writer."Architect changed the face of Winnipeg", Kevin Rollason, Winnipeg Free Press, Thursday, December 4, 2003.

Early life and education Isidore Coop was born in Winnipeg in 1926. His father died when Coop was 12 years old. As a result, his family lived in poverty for many years, behind a corner grocery store run by his mother in the north end of Winnipeg. Coop delivered bread on a bicycle to help make ends meet.Interview with Coop's widow, Cynthia Coop, February, 2017.

Coop received a secular Jewish education at the I. L. Peretz Folk School in Winnipeg. This experience, along with this childhood poverty, influenced his lifelong values. Throughout his life, Coop consistently focused on supporting disadvantaged individuals.

Coop also attended Isaac Newton School in Winnipeg, excelling in science and mathematics. It was also at Isaac Newton that Coop discovered his love of art and drawing. The combination of science and art would naturally draw him to architecture.

In 1947, Coop was awarded the Manitoba Association of Architects Scholarship and the Isbister Scholarship in Architecture. In 1948, he obtained his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Architecture. Upon graduating, Coop apprenticed with the architectural firm of Green, Blankstein, Russell (GBR). In 1951, he registered with the Manitoba Association of Architects.

From 1951 to 1953, Coop attended the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), studying with the famed architectural Modernist Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. He graduated with a Masters of Science in Architecture. The Miesian aphorisms "less is more" and "God is in the details" would influence Coop's work his entire career.

Blankstein, Coop

Coop returned to Winnipeg and continued his work at GBR for several years, where he was involved with such projects as the new Winnipeg General Post Office on Graham Avenue and the Manitoba Power Commission Building on Portage Avenue.

However, in 1956 he struck out to create his own architectural partnership with his colleague at GBR and schoolmate at IIT, Morley Blankstein. The firm Blankstein Coop was born.

In 1957, Blankstein Coop came second in an Alcan competition for a Toronto office building. In 1958, the firm competed against 90 other architects in a national competition for the new Winnipeg City Hall, for which they received an honourable mention.

In 1959, Blankstein and Coop were joined by architects Alan HannaWinnipeg Architecture Foundation (Alan Hanna) and R. Douglas GillmorWinnipeg Architecture Foundation (Douglas Gillmor) to form Blankstein, Coop, Gillmor and Hanna.

In 1962, the expanded firm won a national competition for the Mendel Art Gallery and Conservatory in Saskatoon (constructed in 1965),The Mendel Art Gallery project was led by partner-in-charge Al Hanna and design architect Doug Gillmor. a major creative cultural centre for that city. It also won an award for the Canadian Housing Design Council for a multi-housing development at the corner of Grant and Centennial.

Architectural Group

In 1964, the firm joined Allan WaismanWinnipeg Architecture Foundation (Allan Waisman) and Jack RossWinnipeg Architecture Foundation (Jack Ross) of Waisman Ross Architects, to form Waisman Ross – Blankstein, Coop, Gillmor and Hanna. In 1969, when the long firm name proved too unwieldy, it was changed to the more whimsical Number Ten Architectural Group (or "Number Ten", after the firm's Winnipeg address at 10 Donald Street).; Government of Manitoba, "Modern Architecture in Manitoba: A Brief Guide"

At Number Ten, Coop led many architecturally significant projects, including the University of Manitoba Student Union Building (also known as University Centre), with Number Ten architect Carl Nelson, Jr. In 1970, he was partner-in-charge of Number Ten's collaboration with architect Gustavo Da Roza on the Winnipeg Art Gallery. In 1977, Coop would again successfully collaborate with Da Roza on their submission to the National Gallery Competition, for which their entry was awarded second place, after John C. Parkin’s.

Other significant Winnipeg projects on which Coop led design and production include a consortium for the Winnipeg Convention Centre (1972-1974), the Royal Trust Tower, and the Rupertsland Square Complex. He also led the firm's work on the Canadian Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, seven major buildings at the University of Manitoba, two high-rise Sheraton Hotels for Winnipeg and Hamilton, five multiple housing-commercial projects for Lakeview Development of Winnipeg, and two shopping centre projects for Fairweather Properties of Winnipeg.

Portage Place

In 1984, Coop was appointed as CEO of the North Portage Development Corporation, a corporation created and funded by three levels government (municipal, provincial and federal) in a controversial attempt to redevelop and revitalize the north side of Portage Avenue in downtown Winnipeg. To accept this appointment, Coop retired from Number Ten. The resulting structure, Portage Place, was constructed in 1987. It has significantly altered the vitality of Winnipeg's downtown core. The enclosed mall, covering three city blocks, with large, naturally lighted indoor atriums and a sky walk system linking Portage Place to the Bay, One Canada Centre, and the Carlton Building, has altered Winnipeg's cityscape.

Service to the Profession and Community

As a member of the Manitoba Association of Architects, Ontario Association of Architects, Saskatchewan Association of Architects, and Chartered Architect in the Republic of Zambia, and a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Coop was deeply involved in the profession.

During his early years Coop worked as a part-time lecturer and design and thesis critic at the School of Architecture at the University of Manitoba.

In 1961, he was appointed a member of the Building Commission of the City of Winnipeg, a volunteer position which he held from 1961 to 1969, where he also served as its Vice-Chairman. He also served as a volunteer member of the Part 3 Committee for the Manitoba Building Code. Such service reflected his interest in improving the quality and functionality of architecture, as did his volunteer service on three committees for the National Building Code - the Standing Committee for Use and Occupancy (Member), the High-Rise Subcommittee (Chairman), and the Associate Committee (Member). It further reflected Coop's appreciation of the important role played by legislation in establishing standards to protect the public and ensure its safety.

Coop was elected president of the Manitoba Association of Architects (MAA) in 1963, and served as Chairman or Member of many MAA committees (Committee on Metropolitan Planning and Codes, Fees Committee, Professional Usage Committee).

Coop was elected to the College of Fellows for the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) in 1964 – the youngest fellow ever appointed by the RAIC. He subsequently served on the board of directors of the RAIC Foundation, the RAIC Committee on Education, and the RAIC Legal Documents Committee. In February 1994, Coop was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in the MAA.

Coop served on the boards of the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and was involved with the YMHA and the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews.

Coop also provided pro bono architectural services for the replanning of four departments at the Manitoba Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation, and to various charities, such as the St. Amant Centre for children with disabilities, run by the Grey Nuns of Winnipeg.

Major Architectural Works

Coop's major architectural works include:Unless otherwise expressly excepted in these footnotes, Coop was partner-in-charge of design and production for these "major architectural works". As a result, many other major architectural works of Number Ten Architectural Group have not been included. So, for example, the Royal Canadian Mint, a consortium of Number Ten - led by partner-in-charge Allan Hanna - with Étienne Gaboury, is not included.

Manitoba Power Commission Building, 1955Winnipeg Architecture Foundation, Buildings, 1075 Portage Avenue (Manitoba Power Commission Building). Coop was likely design lead: Winnipeg Free Press article (footnote 1). With Morley Blankstein, while at Green Blankstein Russell. Partner-in-charge unknown. Winnipeg General Post Office, 1958Winnipeg Architecture Foundation, Buildings, 266 Graham Avenue (Winnipeg General Post Office). With Morley Blankstein as design lead on the project, while at Green Blankstein Russell. Partner-in-charge unknown. Isbister Building, University of Manitoba, 1961 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba (formerly the Pharmacy Building), 1962; S. Keshavjee, ed., "Winnipeg Modern Architecture 1945-1975", (2006, University of Manitoba Press), pp. 11-12, 246. Joyce Fromson Swimming Pool Building, University of Manitoba, 1964-65Winnipeg Architecture Foundation; S. Keshavjee, supra, p. 246. Mendel Art Gallery and Conservatory, Saskatoon, 1965 Kildonan Park Peguis Pavilion, Winnipeg, 1965. With Morley Blankstein as partner-in-charge and design lead. Fletcher Argue Building, University of Manitoba, 1967 Canadian Embassy, Islamabad, Pakistan, 1967 University Centre (University of Manitoba Student Union Building), 1969; S. Keshavjee, supra, p. 246. The Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1971, in consortium with Gustavo da Roza, with Coop as partner-in-charge at Number Ten. S. Keshavjee, supra, pp. 50, 200, 217, 224-225, and 246. St. Amant Centre, 1972 Frank Kennedy Centre, University of Manitoba, 1972 Winnipeg Convention Centre, 1974, a Number Ten consortium with Libling Mitchener, with Coop as partner-in-charge with Mel Mitchener. S. Keshavjee, supra, p. 246. Rupertsland Square Complex, 1977Winnipeg Architecture Foundation, Buildings, 444 St. Mary Avenue (Rupertsland Square) Royal Trust Tower, Winnipeg, 1981 Duckworth Center, University of Winnipeg, 1983 Manitoba Provincial Law Courts, 1985Winnipeg Architecture Foundation, Buildings, 408 York Avenue (Provincial Law Courts)

Other smaller scale works of note: Man With An Axe Clothing Store (Clifford's Ladies Wear), 412 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, 1958S. Keshavjee, supra, pp. 143 and 246. And see:Winnipeg Architecture Foundation Row Housing at 745-757 Centennial Street, Winnipeg, 1959Winnipeg Architecture Foundation. Also: John W. Graham, A Guide to the Architecture of Greater Winnipeg, p. 47 Private Residence, 829 Lanark Street, Winnipeg, 1958.Winnipeg Architecture Foundation, 828 Lanark Street Private Residence, 811 Lanark Street, Winnipeg, 1959.Winnipeg Architecture Foundation, 811 Lanark Street Private Residence, 512 South Drive, Winnipeg, 1967.Winnipeg Architecture Foundation, 512 South DriveThis home was designed for Coop's close personal friends, Saul and Naomi Berger, with his spouse, Cynthia Coop, acting as interior designer.Winnipeg Architecture Foundation (Cynthia Coop)

Gallery

Bursary

The Isadore Coop Bursary in Architecture at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Architecture, was created in remembrance of Coop's vision and values on the importance of supporting those in financial need. It is awarded each year to a student who shows promise of continued outstanding work in the Master of Architecture program and who has demonstrated financial need.

References

External links Number TEN Legacy, The Origins of Number TEN Number Ten Architectural Group website Flickr website by the Number Ten Architectural Group St. Amant Centre website