Barry Sampson Teaching + Practice celebrates the life and work of notable architect Barry Sampson, who passed away in December 2020. Barry was a respected teacher and an inspiration to so many. This book is an initiative by colleagues of Barry Sampson documenting his significant contribution to architectural practice and the education of architects. The publication addresses fundamental questions of practice posed by Barry Sampson, documents three key architectural projects and highlights his diverse roles in architecture: teacher, practitioner, mentor, advocate, builder, client and environmentalist.
 
During this book launch event, the editors will share highlights, contributors will each discuss a key image in the book, and former thesis students will articulate his impact on their architectural trajectory.

Editors:

Brian Carter is an alumnus of the University of Toronto, a professor at the School of Architecture and Planning at the University at Buffalo and the co-editor of the book. 

Annette W. LeCuyer is a professor at the School of Architecture and Planning at the University at Buffalo and the co-editor of the book. 

Contributors:

George Baird is a founding principal of Baird Sampson Neuert Architects, professor emeritus at the Daniels Faculty, and was a partner of Barry.

Bruce Kuwabara is a founding partner of KPMB Architects, the Chair of the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal, and was a long-time friend of Barry. 

Jon Neuert is a principal of Baird Sampson Neuert Architects, and was a partner of Barry. 

Pina Petricone is a principal of Giannone Petricone Associates Architects, an associate professor at the Daniels Faculty and was a colleague of Barry. 

Brigitte Shim is a principal at Shim-Sutcliffe Architects, a professor at the Daniels Faculty and was a colleague of Barry. 

Nader Tehrani is a principal at NADAA, the dean of the Cooper Union's Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, and worked with Barry on the Daniels Building. 

Additional Speakers:

Stephen Bauer is a principal of Reigo & Bauer and was a thesis student of Barry Sampson.

Novka Ćosović is a principal of Bau & Ćos Studio and was a thesis student of Barry Sampson. 

Geoffrey Turnbull is director of innovation at KPMB Architects and was a thesis student of Barry Sampson. 

About the Book

Barry Sampson Teaching + Practice
Edited by Brian Carter and Annette LeCuyer
Dalhousie Architectural Press

This book documents the ideas and work of notable Canadian architect Barry Sampson, who was Professor of Architecture at the University of Toronto for nearly thirty years, and an instrumental part of the evolution of Baird Sampson Neuert, a significant critical practice in Toronto that influenced the development of ideas in the city, throughout the region, and more widely.

The book investigates key ideas identified in Sampson’s 2019 Baird Lecture at the University of Toronto, reflecting on audience; Modernism and its legacies; architecture’s response to the environment and to human needs; architecture’s role in giving form to community; and the survival of critical practice in an age of technocracy. The publication also documents projects illustrative of Sampson’s approach to design, construction, and use – a school, a university building, and a cabin – with texts, drawings, and images. Further, it collects reflections on Sampson’s diverse roles in architecture – teacher, practitioner, advocate, environmentalist, mentor, client, and builder – from selected collaborators, including notable architects, structural and environmental engineers, and academic colleagues.

Purchase the book here.

Image Credits: Christian Unverzagt (M1DTW Architects)

About Barry Sampson

Barry Sampson was a professor of architecture at the University of Toronto who taught studios that were rooted in excellence, comprehensive design, and integration – core values in architecture that are widely recognized by professionals, teachers and students alike. At the same time, he was instrumental in the evolution of Baird Sampson Neuert Architects, a significant critical practice in Toronto, that influenced ideas in the city, throughout the region and more widely. Increasingly focused on environmental stewardship, Barry Sampson played a critical role in introducing issues of sustainability to architectural education and practice in Canada. 

We thank the many former students, colleagues and friends of Barry who have contributed to the scholarship in his name. To learn more about the Barry W. Sampson Scholarship, please contact Stacey Charles, alumni development officer, at 416-978-4340.