Bruno Freschi (born 1937) is a Canadian

architect An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...

and an officer in the Order of Canada, known for his role as chief architect for

Expo 86 The 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, or simply Expo 86, was a world's fair held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from May 2 until October 13, 1986. The fair, the theme of which was "Transportation and Communicatio ...

Vancouver Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the cit ...

, British Columbia, Canada. Some of his notable works include Science World in Vancouver, the Ismaili Centre in Burnaby, and the Staples Residence in Vancouver.

Early life

Freschi was born in

Trail, British Columbia Trail is a city in the western Kootenays region of the British Columbia Interior, Interior of British Columbia, Canada. It was named after the Dewdney Trail, which passed through the area. The town was first called Trail Creek or Trail Creek Lan ...

, on April 18, 1937, in an Italian-Canadian family. He graduated from J. Lloyd Crowe Secondary School in Trail, BC, before going to study

architecture Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and construction, constructi ...

at the

University of British Columbia The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a Public university, public research university with campuses near University of British Columbia Vancouver, Vancouver and University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, in British Columbia, Canada ...

where he received Canada's top architecture student award. He graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He then studied in

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

at the

Architectural Association The Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, commonly referred to as the AA, is the oldest private school of architecture in the UK. The AA hosts exhibitions, lectures, symposia and publications. History The Architectura ...

before returning to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Career

Freschi started his career working with Canadian architects

Arthur Erickson Arthur Charles Erickson (June 14, 1924 – May 20, 2009) was a Canadian architect and urban planning, urban planner. He studied at the University of British Columbia and, in 1950, received his B.Arch. (Honours) from McGill University. He is kn ...

and

Geoffrey Massey Geoffrey Massey (29 October 19241 December 2020) was a Canadian architect and urban planner noted for his modernism-inspired architectural works. He was known for his partnership with architect Arthur Erickson that produced notable designs inclu ...

in the 1960s. He founded his own firm, Bruno Freschi Architects, in 1970 in Vancouver. He was dean of the school of architecture and planning at the

State University of New York The State University of New York (SUNY ) is a system of Public education, public colleges and universities in the New York (state), State of New York. It is one of the List of largest universities and university networks by enrollment, larges ...

Buffalo Buffalo most commonly refers to: * True buffalo or Bubalina, a subtribe of wild cattle, including most "Old World" buffalo, such as water buffalo * Bison, a genus of wild cattle, including the American buffalo * Buffalo, New York, a city in the n ...

, NY, USA until 2002. Freschi's work explores mediums as a form of expressionism. He also explores themes for politics and urbanization through painting and sculpture. His exhibition, 'Body Politick: The Art & Architecture of Bruno Freschi' opened on June 28, 2018, at Il Museo inside the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver. In 1985, Freschi was named an

Officer of the Order of Canada The Order of Canada () is a Canadian national order and the second-highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit. To coincide with the centennial of Canadian Confederation, the ...

for his contributions to architecture. In addition to his work as the chief architect and planner for

, the award's citation noted that he had "stimulated visual thinking with his energy, enthusiasm and creative flair in a diversity of structures and has been an inspiration to a new generation of architects".

Personal life

Freschi married Vaune Ainsworth in the late 1980s. The couple live in Blaine, Washington, in a self-designed home. In 2007, Freschi was diagnosed with cancer, undergoing a seven-hour surgery that left him reliant on a cane. Freschi remains active in art and occasional architectural projects.

Works

* 1966 - Designs the Staples Residence in West Vancouver, an icon of west coast modern architecture. * 1985 - Completes the architecture, design, and construction of the Vancouver

Ismaili Centre The Ismaili Centres are symbolic markers of the permanent presence of the Nizari Ismailis in the countries and regions in which they are established, characterised by the Aga Khan IV as 'ambassadorial buildings'. Each building is architecturally u ...

for His Highness the

Aga Khan Aga Khan (; ; also transliterated as ''Aqa Khan'' and ''Agha Khan'') is a title held by the Imamate in Nizari doctrine, Imām of the Nizari Isma'ilism, Nizari Isma'ilism, Ismāʿīli Shia Islam, Shias. The current holder of the title is the ...

. * 1986 - Master Planner & Chief Architect, Expo 86. File:Expo86logo.svg, Master plan,

British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...

File:Science World.jpg,

Science World at Telus World of Science Science World is a science centre run by a not-for-profit organization called ASTC Science World Society in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is located at the end of False Creek and features many permanent interactive exhibits and displa ...

, Vancouver, British Columbia File:Ismaili Centre, Burnaby, front elevation and courtyard 1.jpg, alt=Ismaily Centre, Burnaby, British Columbia, The Ismaili Centre, Burnaby,

Burnaby Burnaby is a city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada. Located in the centre of the Burrard Peninsula, it neighbours the City of Vancouver to the west, the District of North Vancouver across the confluence of the Burrard In ...

File:Vancouver Wall Centre.jpg, alt=Wall Centre Vancouver, BC, Wall Centre, Vancouver,

File:The Westin Grand light up with heart (49779816316).jpg, The Westin Grand, Vancouver,

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Freschi, Bruno Canadian architects University of British Columbia alumni State University of New York faculty 1937 births Living people People from Trail, British Columbia Expo 86 Officers of the Order of Canada