From medieval to modern: Architect Anderson outlines Westmount building styles through the ages

Anderson, of the Westmount-based Anderson Architect firm, presented a chronological account of the various styles of homes in the neighbourhood, from the turn of the 19th century, through to the modern era of the late 20th century. His talk was divided into three sections: the Medieval Idea, the Classical Idea, and the Modernist Idea.

Accompanied by a slideshow, Anderson began by naming some of the major architects and firms to operate during the early years of Westmount's growth. Many of the prominent architects seemed to have come from Scotland and were designing homes that were influenced with a particular French Canadian style. The styles during this period varied from Norman, Gothic and Romanesque to Tudor, Victorian and the Arts & Crafts movement.

The next wave, from the early-to-mid 19th century, was more influenced by Classical style. Citing examples of homes on Argyle Avenue, Rosemount Avenue and Côte Saint Antoine Road, Anderson said, "In the context of many of these homes, the classical idea is related to rule of taste."

"(The thought was) a building should have a certain sensibility to it, a certain access," he said, explaining the prominence of symmetrical, elegant design in many of the homes on those streets. The major styles to influence design during that period were the British Colonial style and the Classical revival.

Lastly, Anderson made reference to the modernist idea of architecture that rose to prominence in the early-to-mid parts of the 20th century. Citing a shift in philosophical approach to design, and a nod to faith in new and more economical building materials, Anderson said, "The modernist tradition involved new ideas about space, about the form of buildings, about the mass of buildings." Though Westmount has examples of modern design, Anderson says that more traditional designs garner favour with the Westmount Architecture and Planning Commission, whom he said, "sadly don't seem to favour modernism."

Following his presentation, Anderson elicited laughs from the full house as he ran through his list of "improper practices." He showed examples of neighbourhood homes that had combined various styles of architecture to produce some rather puzzling results. For Anderson, additions, restorations, modernization and "tarting-up" are all practices that detract from the original beauty of many of the formal design practices of years past.

Anderson's encyclopedic knowledge of the neighbourhood's rich architectural history made for an insightful look into how Westmount has come to bear the badge of Canada's most unique and diverse architectural district.