Isadore Coop

Isadore "Issie" Coop (1926–2003) was a Canadian architect and a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, with a reputation for highly functional, cost-effective architecture. A student of the famed American-German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Coop brought the Miesian style to Winnipeg, and changed the face of Winnipeg architecture, according to one writer. thumb

Early life and education Isidore Coop was born in Winnipeg in 1926. His father died when Coop was 12 years old. As a result, his family lived in poverty for many years, behind a corner grocery store run by his mother in the north end of Winnipeg. Coop delivered bread on a bicycle to help make ends meet.

Coop received a secular Jewish education at the I. L. Peretz Folk School in Winnipeg. This, and the poverty of his childhood, influenced his values for his entire life. Coop was always caring for the needs of the disadvantaged in our society.

From 1951 to 1953, Coop attended the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), studying with the famed architectural Modernist Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. He graduated with a Masters of Science in Architecture. The firm Blankstein Coop was born.

In 1957, Blankstein Coop came second in an Alcan competition for a Toronto office building. In 1958, the firm competed against 90 other architects in a national competition for the new Winnipeg City Hall, for which they received an honourable mention.

In 1959, Blankstein and Coop were joined by architects Alan Hanna and R. Douglas Gillmor to form Blankstein, Coop, Gillmor and Hanna.

In 1962, the expanded firm won a national competition for the Mendel Art Gallery and Conservatory in Saskatoon (constructed in 1965), a major creative cultural centre for that city. It also won an award for the Canadian Housing Design Council for a multi-housing development at the corner of Grant and Centennial. and Jack Ross of Waisman Ross Architects, to form Waisman Ross – Blankstein, Coop, Gillmor and Hanna. In 1969, when the long firm name proved too unwieldy, it was changed to the more whimsical Number Ten Architectural Group (or "Number Ten", after the firm's Winnipeg address at 10 Donald Street).

At Number Ten, Coop led many architecturally significant projects, including the University of Manitoba Student Union Building (also known as University Centre), with Number Ten architect Carl Nelson, Jr. In 1970, he was partner-in-charge of Number Ten's collaboration with architect Gustavo Da Roza on the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Service to the Profession and Community

As a member of the Manitoba Association of Architects, Ontario Association of Architects, Saskatchewan Association of Architects, and Chartered Architect in the Republic of Zambia, and a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Coop was deeply involved in the profession.

During his early years Coop worked as a part-time lecturer and design and thesis critic at the School of Architecture at the University of Manitoba.

In 1961, he was appointed a member of the Building Commission of the City of Winnipeg, a volunteer position which he held from 1961 to 1969, where he also served as its Vice-Chairman. He also served as a volunteer member of the Part 3 Committee for the Manitoba Building Code. Such service reflected his interest in improving the quality and functionality of architecture, as did his volunteer service on three committees for the National Building Code - the Standing Committee for Use and Occupancy (Member), the High-Rise Subcommittee (Chairman), and the Associate Committee (Member). It further reflected Coop's appreciation of the important role played by legislation in establishing standards to protect the public and ensure its safety.

Coop served on the boards of the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and was involved with the YMHA and the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews.

Manitoba Power Commission Building, 1955 Isbister Building, University of Manitoba, 1961 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba (formerly the Pharmacy Building), 1962 Joyce Fromson Swimming Pool Building, University of Manitoba, 1964-65 Mendel Art Gallery and Conservatory, Saskatoon, 1965 Fletcher Argue Building, University of Manitoba, 1967 Canadian Embassy, Islamabad, Pakistan, 1967 The Winnipeg Art Gallery, 1971 St. Amant Centre, 1972 Frank Kennedy Centre, University of Manitoba, 1972 Winnipeg Convention Centre, 1974 Rupertsland Square Complex, 1977 Royal Trust Tower, Winnipeg, 1981

Other smaller scale works of note: Man With An Axe Clothing Store (Clifford's Ladies Wear), 412 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, 1958 Row Housing at 745-757 Centennial Street, Winnipeg, 1959 Private Residence, 829 Lanark Street, Winnipeg, 1958. Private Residence, 811 Lanark Street, Winnipeg, 1959. Private Residence, 512 South Drive, Winnipeg, 1967.

Gallery

Bursary

The Isadore Coop Bursary in Architecture at the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Architecture, was created in remembrance of Coop's vision and values on the importance of supporting those in financial need. It is awarded each year to a student who shows promise of continued outstanding work in the Master of Architecture program and who has demonstrated financial need.