Geoffrey Massey

Geoffrey Massey (29 October 19241 December 2020) was a Canadian architect and urban planner noted for his modernism-inspired architectural works. He was known for his partnership with architect Arthur Erickson that produced notable designs including the Simon Fraser University, and MacMillan Bloedel Building. As an urban planner, Massey was known for his contributions toward pedestrian-friendly densification of Vancouver and development of Granville Island in the city.

Early life Massey was born in London, England, on 29 October 1924, to Margery and Raymond Massey. His father was an actor and theatre artist who had acted in movies including Abe Lincoln in Illinois, and was the great-grandson of Massey-Harris tractor company founder, Daniel Massey. Geoffrey Massey's parents separated when he was five, in 1929. He went to the United States when his father's career took him to Broadway.

Around the time he turned from 17 to 18 years old, During his time in the service he trained as a paratrooper.

Following the war, Massey received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University, and earned his master's degree from the university's Graduate School of Design. He learned under the co-founder of the Bauhaus movement, Walter Gropius, who was the head of the department in the school. Their modernism-themed submission was a futuristic design that beat 71 other submissions to win the competition.

He produced Project 56 and Project 58 in the late 1950s in partnership with Erickson, to redefine urban space planning for the city of Vancouver. The plans focused on the concept of urban high-rises and a redefinition plan for a pedestrian-focused downtown city core. These plans would become the foundation for Vancouver's West End. He also partnered with Erickson and Freschi to develop concepts for transformation of the Vancouver downtown corridor into pedestrian-friendly glass-domed shopping zones. While the project was rejected by the province and the city as being too expensive, the ideas of pedestrian-friendly urban densification persisted in the city. His partnership with Erickson ended in 1972, with the duo attributing it to differing professional objectives with Massey choosing to concentrate in Vancouver and Erickson interested in a global thrust. The partnership had won eight Massey medals for architecture including for the Canadian pavilion at Expo '70 in Osaka, the MacMillan Bloedel Building, and the Man in the community and Man and his health-themed pavilions at Expo 67 in Quebec, and three housing design council awards.

Earlier, in 1963, he supported another Vancouver architect, Ronald Thom, to win the design commission for Massey College at the University of Toronto. The college was commissioned by his uncle, Vincent Massey, who after his tenure as the 18th Governor General of Canada had initially wanted a gothic revival structure. However, on Massey's persuasion, they decided on a contemporary modernist design.

Massey became a councillor at the Vancouver City Council in 1972, and went on to be an advisor to the city's planning commission. He also partnered with Rogatnick to set up the Arts Club, which became the Arts Club Theatre.

Graham House, West Vancouver, BC Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC MacMillan Bloedel Building, Vancouver, BC Staples Residence, West Vancouver, BC Massey College, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON University of Lethbridge University Hall, Lethbridge, AB Robson Square, Vancouver, BC (initial plans) Whistler Highlands, Whistler, BC