Raymond Moriyama (Barch 1954; Hon. 1994) — architect of the Ontario Science Centre, the Toronto Reference Library, and the Canadian War Museum among other buildings of note — was recently profiled in the Toronto Star. Published on Canada Day, the article explored the beginnings of Moriyama's early career, alongside notable architect Moshe Safdie, and compared the support given back in the 60s to today's architectural climate.

"Ottawa's main contribution to [Canada's sesquicentennial] celebrations [taking place next year], the $210-million Canada 150 Fund, is largely supporting transitory events like a tall ship regatta; a travelling, 360-degree cinema and live arts festival; and a commemoration of the Montreal Expo," writes Joseph Hall. “The numbers pale in comparison to the 1967 fair, which alone cost its federal, provincial and municipal backers some $280 million, a huge sum back then, with many tens of millions more being spent on the international and corporate pavilions that it hosted.”

Moriyama was hired to design the Ontario Science Centre at the young age of 35. Dean Richard Sommer, who was interviewed for the article, said such "such support for young, adventurous architects would be unlikely now,” writes Hall.

The project was also noteworthly for the fact that it allowed Moriyama to disrupt the “old boys’ network” by being one of the first minority architects to receive a commission of such scale.

“In his design, and his determination to own it, Moriyama was tilting at the staid and overwhelmingly white milieu that had housed the profession in Canada for decades,” writes Hall. The success of the Ontario Science Centre design allowed Moriyama to “join a new, more adventurous and cosmopolitan cadre of Canadian architects, tuned in to the international beat drumming through the profession globally. This group would include Arthur Erickson, Moshe Safdie and Douglas Cardinal, among others.”

To read the full article, visit the Toronto Star's website.