Episode Details

Barton Myers, the visionary architect who died at 91, revolutionized urban design by building new housing behind old homes—like his iconic Sherbourne Street project in Toronto—preserving neighborhood character while revitalizing cities. Blending modernist rigor with playful historical nods and lessons from Louis Kahn and urban preservationists, Myers championed “urban consolidation,” a philosophy that rejected demolition in favor of incremental, context-sensitive growth. His partnership with Jack Diamond birthed landmark projects like Sherbourne Lanes, a “horizontal tower” of 300 apartments tucked behind existing buildings. Later, he transformed warehouses into cultural landmarks—the Seagram Museum and Art Gallery of Ontario—showcasing his genius for adaptive reuse. After moving to Los Angeles, he shaped major redevelopment projects, mentoring generations of architects and leaving behind a legacy that proves innovation thrives when it honors the past.

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