John B. Parkin Associates was a Canadian architectural firm based in Toronto that operated from 1947 to 1969. During its life, it was the largest architectural practice in Canada and today is recognised as the country's leading proponent of modern architecture in the post-war era.Harold Kalman, A History of Canadian Architecture, (Oxford University Press, 1994), 797. The partnership was formed between John Burnett Parkin, his brother Edmund T. Parkin, and the younger, unrelated John Cresswell Parkin. John Burnett served as the firm's principal, while John Cresswell served as partner-in-charge of design.
History
Operations of the firm, 1947–1969 The Parkin firm modelled itself after the office of Albert Kahn, and used an industrial production system to produce its commissions.Michael J. McMordie, "John B. Parkin Associates and Albert Kahn Inc.: An Industrial View of Architecture," in John C. Parkin, Archives, and Photography: Reflections on the Practice and Presentation of Modern Architecture, (University of Calgary Press, 2013), 31-52. The firm operated from a factory-like office in Don Mills where its staff of nearly 200 was based. In contrast to many other architects of the era, the firm was fastidious about costs and deadlines. One notable project during this time was a partnership with Finnish architect Viljo Revell on Toronto City Hall (1965). The firm helped design (under direction from Australian John Andrews) the Simpsons store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre (1964).
Post merger, 1969–present In August 1968, John B. Parkin Associates opened merger discussions with Smith Carter Searle of Winnipeg, which had offices also in Toronto, Brandon, and Thunder Bay."Designing firms in building field joining forces," Globe and Mail, (21 December 1968), B8. The merger was completed in March 1969. On 4 March, John B. Parkin, John C. Parkin, Ernest J. Smith, and James Searle held a press conference on the top floor of the Toronto-Dominion Centre to announce the merger. Later that day they flew to Winnipeg, where they held a second press conference.Kenneth B. Smith, "Honest design urged by new Parkin group," Globe and Mail, (4 March 1969), B13. The Toronto office would work under the name of Parkin Architects, Engineers, Planners, while the Winnipeg office would operate under the name of Smith Carter Parkin. Shortly after the move, John B. Parkin moved to Los Angeles, where he operated a practice under the name of John B. Parkin Associates.
In January 1971, John C. Parkin left the partnership. At this time, the name of Parkin Architects, Engineers, Planners was changed to Searle Wilbee Rowland."John C. Parkin establishes his own firm," Globe and Mail, (30 January 1971), B2. Searle Wilbee Rowland continued to work under that name, until 15 November 1974, when it became Neish Owen Rowland & Roy."Report on business," Globe and Mail, (8 November 1974), B3. The firm, known since 1985 as NORR, remains in existence today, with offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton.
John C. Parkin's independent practice, 1971–present In January 1971, John C. Parkin sold his share in the partnership and left to form his own practice, John C. Parkin Architects Planners. Later, his practice was renamed Parkin Architects Planners, and then Parkin Partnership Architects Planners. It received several important commissions in the 1970s and 1980s, including the Art Gallery of Ontario addition, the Phoenix Building, Bell Trinity Square, and Copps Coliseum. In 1986, Harland C. Lindsay and two partners acquired the assets of the firm, and on 17 December that year incorporated Parkin Architects Limited. This firm remains in operation today, with offices in Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver.
Archives The archives of John B. Parkin Associates and its successor firms are held at the University of Calgary in the Canadian Architectural Archives. The records, which were donated through the 1970s and 1980s, comprise the John B. Parkin Associates fonds. Additional records of John C. Parkin are held at the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal. These records were donated by John C. Parkin's daughter after his death, and make up the John C. Parkin fonds.
Works Below is a partial list of works by the Parkin firm: NameCityAddressYearStatusFabergé Perfumes BuildingToronto30 Queen Elizabeth Boulevard1950Yardley of LondonEast York7 Curity Avenue1951DemolishedOntario Association of Architects BuildingToronto50 Park Road1954John C. Parkin HouseNorth York75 The Bridle Path1954Altered significantlyTaylor Instrument CompaniesToronto75 Tycos Drive1954Chesebrough-PondsMarkham150 Bullock Drive1954 Now used by Joyride and Olympian Swimming.Pitney-Bowes BuildingToronto903 Yonge Street1954DemolishedJohn B. Parkin Associates OfficeNorth York1500 Don Mills Road1955DemolishedJanssen-Ortho PharmaceuticalsNorth York19 Greenbelt Drive1955Dominion ElectrohomeKitchener809 Wellington Street North1955Don Mills Federal BuildingNorth York169 The Donway West1958Sun Life BuildingToronto200 University Avenue1960Imperial Oil Ontario Regional HeadquartersNorth York825 Don Mills Road1962DemolishedToronto International Airport Air Terminal Building: Aeroquay No. 1Malton1962DemolishedBarber-EllisToronto20 Overlea Boulevard1964 Simpson’s store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre North York 3401 Dufferin Street 1964 Converted as Hudson’s Bay 1991, vacant June 2025J. Douglas Crashley HouseToronto3 Old George Place1965Altered significantlyBata Shoes Head OfficeNorth York59 Wynford Drive1965DemolishedIBM Canada HeadquartersNorth York1150 Eglinton Avenue East1967Avon TheatreStratford99 Downie Street1967Façade demolishedOttawa stationOttawa200 Tremblay Road1967Shaw & Begg BuildingToronto350 Bloor Street East1967St. John's City HallSt. John's1969Projects completed by Parkin Architects or Searle Wilbee RowlandNational Life BuildingToronto522 University Avenue1971Equitable Life BuildingWaterloo1 Westmount Road North1971Four Seasons SheratonToronto123 Queen Street West1972Great Northern Capital BuildingToronto180 Dundas Street W1972Pearkes BuildingOttawa101 Colonel By Drive1974
References
External links John B. Parkin Associates fonds at the University of Calgary John C. Parkin fonds at the Canadian Centre for Architecture