Jerome Markson
Canadian architect (1929–2023)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jerome Markson (1929 – November 18, 2023) was a Canadian architect based in Toronto, Ontario.[1] He was perhaps best known for his multi-family urban housing projects such as Alexandra Park Public Housing.[2]
Jerome Markson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1929 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | November 18, 2023 (aged 93–94) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Education | University of Toronto |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Spouse | Mayta Silver |
| Awards | RAIC Gold Medal (2022) |
| Practice | Jerome Markson Architect |
| Projects |
|
Life
Early life
Above their father's street-level medical practice, Markson and his siblings were raised between two booming immigrant neighbourhoods, Kensington Market and the (no longer existent) Ward.[3] His parents Etta and Charles were eastern European immigrants from Lithuania and Poland respectively.[3]
Education
In 1948, Markson began his architectural studies at the University of Toronto along with other members of a new generation of architects who emerged after the war.[4] 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 in Ajax, Ontario.[5]
Markson also attended summer courses at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where his design style and philosophy was greatly impacted by Eliel Saarinen, 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.[6]
Death
Markson died in Toronto on November 18, 2023, at the age of 94.[7]
Career
Markson began his architecture career working in smaller positions for architects Eugene G. Faludi, James Murray, George Robb and Venchiarutti & Venchiarutti.[3]
Practice
In 1955, he opened his practice in post-WWII Toronto.[8] 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.[9]
Style
Markson was known for his innovative use of lightwells, atriums, courtyards and greenspaces to blur the line between the interior and exterior.[2]
Notable works
Moses Residence 1961 https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv6cfrnw?googleloggedin=true&oauth_data=eyJlbWFpbCI6ImtlbkBvYnZ1cy5tZSIsImluc3RpdHV0aW9uSWRzIjpbXSwicHJvdmlkZXIiOiJnb29nbGUifQ
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.[3]