Ronald James Thom, (May 15, 1923 – October 29, 1986) was a Canadian architect. He is well known for two works: Massey College and Trent University's riverside campus.
Early years He was born in Penticton, British Columbia, the son of James Thom and Elena Myrtle Fennel. Thom served as an aviator with the RCAF during World War II, returned and graduated from the Vancouver School of Art in 1947. He never went to architecture school but apprenticed at Thompson, Berwick & Pratt, where he quickly became recognized as an unusually gifted draughtsman and designer. and also designed notable houses in the Vancouver area, several of which won Massey Awards, the country's top award for architecture. In 1957, he became a registered architect at Thompson, Berwick and Pratt and a partner shortly afterward.
Professional practice
He established R.J. Thom & Associates in Toronto in 1963 and later the Thom Partnership. He was a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. In 1980, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. He battled alcoholism throughout his life and was eventually forced out of the partnership by some younger partners. He died at his office in 1986 after a bout of heavy drinking. His ashes were taken back by his family and scattered off the Pacific Ocean at Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver.Ron Thom . Ron Thom House 4 Sale. Retrieved on 2014-04-12.
He was the subject of a major retrospective exhibition in 2013 and 2014, "Ron Thom and the Allied Arts" featuring a collection of photographs, drawings, letters and furniture that he designed for his buildings. The exhibition was shown in British Columbia in 2013, at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto beginning in February 2014, and at the Beaverbrook Gallery, Fredericton in November 2014.Alex, Bozikovik, Show traces Thom’s resolve to create buildings both quirky and humane, Globe and Mail, February 7, 2014
Works BuildingYear CompletedArchitectStyleLocationImage Master plan and buildings of Massey College 1963 Ronald Thom Modern architecture / Medieval Oxbridge College University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario Fraser Residence (Fraser House) 1968 (restoration completed by Altius Architecture in 2001) Ronald Thom and Paul Merrick (Co-designer) Modern architecture 4 Old George Place (Rosedale Ravine) Toronto, OntarioCatherine Parr Traill College Master plan and renovations of buildings; Champlain College, Lady Eaton College, the Bata Library and science complex on the Symons Campus1965–1973Ronald ThomModern architectureTrent University, Peterborough, Ontario St. Jude's Cathedral (Iqaluit) 1970 Ronald Thom Modern architecture Iqaluit (destroyed 2005) Fleming College 1973 Ronald Thom Modern architecture Peterborough, Ontario Pearson College of the Pacific 1977 Ronald Thom & Barry Vance Downs Modern architecture Victoria, British Columbia College Education Centre 1982 Ronald Thom Modern architecture Nipissing University, Nipissing, Ontario Toronto Zoo – master plan and pavilions (including African and Indo-Malaysian Pavilions) 1974 Ronald Thom with Craig & Boake and Clifford & Laurie Modern architecture Metropolitan Toronto Zoo, Toronto, Ontario Atria North office complex (Phase I), North York 1978–80 Ronald Thom Modern architecture 2255 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario New Shaw Festival Theatre 1973 Ronald Thom Modern architecture 10 Queen's Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts 1977 Ronald Thom Modern architecture 130 Navy Street, Oakville, Ontario The Westin Prince Hotel, Toronto 1975 Ronald Thom Modern architecture 900 York Mills Road, Toronto, Ontario Toronto Metropolitan University Architecture Building 1979–1981 Ronald Thom Modern architecture Toronto Metropolitan University 325 Church Street Toronto, Ontario
Honours and awards Source:Biographies | Canadian Architectural Archives | University of Calgary. Caa.ucalgary.ca. Retrieved on 2014-04-12. Fellow, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Member, Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (1973) Member, Ontario Association of Architects Member, Architectural Institute of British Columbia Member, Quebec Association of Architects (1966–1969) Honorary Doctorate of Law (LL.D) Trent University 1971 Honorary Doctorate of Engineering Trent University 1973 Winner of Design Competition for Massey College, University of Toronto Citations of Excellence in Architecture by International College and University Conference and Exposition, 1970 Toronto Chapter Annual Design Award – 1970 National Design Council Merit Awards 1971 Canadian Housing Design Council Award 1971 Canadian Architect Yearbook Award of Excellence 1974
Personal
Thom was married twice, first to Christine Helen Millard (1923) in 1943Ron Thom: Biography. Trentu.ca (1964-06-24). Retrieved on 2014-04-12. and survived by second wife Molly (m. 1963), daughter Emma (a veterinarian) and son Adam Thom (himself an architect).Show traces Ron Thom’s resolve to create buildings both quirky and humane. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved on 2014-04-12.
References
External links
Early photos and letters concerning the development of Trent University Ron Thom Slide Show Ron Thom's Toronto – Walking Tour, Globe and Mail, January 2014 List of Globe and Mail articles