Designers

50 Years of WL: #19 Design Is in Our DNA

Scientists haven't yet proven that great design runs in our blood, but we have some pretty convincing evidence.

By Western Living /

Is a passion for design nature or nurture? It's impossible to say, but the number of design families in our midst seems to suggest DNA may play a role. Perusing the archives, we've been reminded of the handful of design dynasties our region has bred: acclaimed architects who raised a second generation of acclaimed architects. From parent to child to the lucky inhabitants or users of their buildings€”It's a legacy that lives on and on and on.

Credit: Derek Lepper

The breezeway in the Russell Hollingsworth- designed Sturdy Residence in West Vancouver.

Credit: Selwyn Pullan

From left to right: Fred Hollingsworth in the Trethewey Residence, Russell and Fred, and Fred Hollingsworth's Rudden House.

The Hollingsworth Family

Parent: Fred Hollingsworth passed away in 2015, but he left behind an impeccable legacy. His post-war work shaped the look of the North Shore€”including the impeccable 1946 home in Edgemont Village where his son, Russell, grew up.

Scion: Russell Hollingsworth is principal of Hollings-worth Architecture today, transforming stone and concrete into striking mansions that represent €œWest Coast luxe€ to a T.

The Justice Institute.

Credit: Richard: Lucas Finlay; Gregory: Carlo Ricci

From left to right: Richard Henriquez, Woodwards, Gregory Henriquez

The Henriquez Family

Parent: Richard Henriquez, whose commercial work has defined B.C.'s Lower Mainland€”you€™ve got him to thank for the Sylvia Hotel Tower and the Justice Institute alike.

Scion: Gregory Henriquez takes his dad's community-minded architecture into the 21st century with a focus on inclusive, sustainable projects. The two work side-by-side as principals at Henriquez Partners Architects.

The Burgers€™ original home, designed and built in the 1970s (top) and a new home Cedric designed for his mother€”who did the interiors€”in 2020 (bottom) which pivoted around a kitchen garden.

Credit: Robert: Martin Tessler; Marieke, Cedric and Mary: Kyrani Kanavaros

Robert, Marieke, Cedric and Mary.

The Burgers Family

Parents: Marieke and Robert Burgers, who founded Robert Burgers Architects in €™81. She's the interior design master, bringing extensive influence from Dutch design into her refined work; her late husband Robert was an architect's architect, a master of difficult sites and seeing beyond trends.

Scion: Cedric Burgers€”with wife Mary Burgers, who acts as creative director for Burgers Architecture€”is a passive housing expert who has picked up where his father left off to continue creating stunning residential projects that epitomize West Coast Modernism (always with a sprinkle of Scandi flair).

To read about more great people, designs, homes and innovations that shaped Western Living, click here.

Western Living

Western Living

The editorial team at Western Living loves nothing more than a perfectly designed space, place or thing: and we’re here to tell you about it. Email us your pitches at [email protected].