At a unique, all-inclusive evening event, Tawnshi Charcuterie had the pleasure of providing indigenous food for attendees.
Guests were given a rare tour of Smith House II, named for the renowned modernist painter Gordon Smith. This intimate and groundbreaking one-bedroom dwelling revolves around an enchanting courtyard in a square spiral design. The iconic 1964 house stands celebrated for its jutting cantilevered beams—an architectural concept that Erickson would later expand upon in the creation of the UBC Museum of Anthropology and Robson Square. Throughout the passing decades, it has evolved into Canada's preeminent emblem of modernist architecture, leaving an indelible impression on both its occupants and the extraordinary Erickson-designed garden that accompanies it.
Over the span of the last two years, Smith House II has undergone an exquisite reawakening under the expert hands of Measured Architects, an endeavor aimed at offering a renewed haven for its new inhabitants and our revered hosts: Equinox Galleries' proprietor, Andy Sylvester, and Daina Augaitis, former chief curator of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Within its walls, their mesmerizing compilation of contemporary art now finds its home, a destination worth exploration in its own right. Furthermore, guided tours unveiled the inner sanctums of Marion’s weaving studio and Gordon’s painting studio, preserved exactly as they were during the artists' final engagements.
This momentous occasion marked the initial opportunity for the public to witness Smith House II restored to its utmost splendor, echoing its inaugural unveiling in 1964. As an exclusive added privilege, there was an optional excursion to the nearby abode of Douglas Coupland, a dwelling brimming with an opulent assemblage of pop cultural artifacts, personally hosted by the polymath writer-artist himself.
We were honoured to be part of this uncommon event—an event of rarity and significance that concurrently bolsters the conservation and educational endeavors of the AEF.
Photo credit: Ema Peter Photography