Jerome Markson (1929 – November 18, 2023) was a Canadian architect based in

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

, Ontario. He was perhaps best known for his multi-family urban housing projects such as Alexandra Park Public Housing.

Life

Early life

Above their father's street-level medical practice, Markson and his siblings were raised between two booming immigrant neighbourhoods,

Kensington Market Kensington Market is a distinctive multicultural neighbourhood in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Market is an older neighbourhood and one of the city's best-known. In November 2006, it was designated a National Historic Sites of Canada, ...

and the (no longer existent) Ward. His parents Etta and Charles were eastern European immigrants from Lithuania and Poland respectively.

Education

In 1948, Markson began his architectural studies at the

University of Toronto The University of Toronto (UToronto or U of T) is a public university, public research university whose main campus is located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park (Toronto), Queen's Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded by ...

along with other members of a new generation of architects who emerged after the war. 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 World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

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

Markson also attended summer courses at the

Cranbrook Academy of Art The Cranbrook Academy of Art, a graduate school for architecture, art, and design, was founded by George Gough Booth and Ellen Scripps Booth in 1932. It is the art school of the Cranbrook Educational Community. Located in Bloomfield Hills, Mi ...

, where his design style and philosophy was greatly impacted by

Eliel Saarinen Gottlieb Eliel Saarinen (, ; August 20, 1873 – July 1, 1950) was a Finnish and American Architecture, architect known for his work with Art Nouveau buildings in the early years of the 20th century. He was also the father of famed architect Ee ...

, 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.

Death

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

Career

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

Practice

In 1955, he opened his practice in post-WWII Toronto. 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.

Style

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

Notable works

* Goldblatt Residence, 1955 * Bathurst Jewish Centre, 1961 * Group Health Centre, 1962 * Alexandra Park, 1965 * David B. Archer Co-operative Housing, 1976 * Market Square Condominiums, 1980

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 The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is a not-for-profit, national organization that has represented architects and architecture for over 100 years, in existence since 1907. The RAIC is the leading voice for excellence in the built ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Markson, Jerome 1929 births 2023 deaths Wikipedia Student Program Canadian architects