Entrance set back among other buildings. Bicycle stand, trees and sidewalk in the foreground. Part of the Architectural Display.

view of ice sculpture made by medical students in front of Murray Memorial Building. Arts Building in background; looking west.

Looking south at snowdrifts across the Bowl; tree laden with snow in foreground. University buildings in background (from l to r): Medical Building, Murray Memorial (Main) Library, Arts Building, and Chemistry Building.

Looking southwest at the Island of Trees, commemorating Robert Reid Moffat, co-architect of the Memorial Union Building, in front of the Arts building. Health Sciences building at left.

Bio/Historical Note: Robert Reid Moffat (1906-1960), partner in the leading postwar firm of Shore & Moffat, established in Toronto in 1945. Born in Edrans, Manitoba, he obtained a degree in Science from the University of Saskatchewan in 1926, and worked for one year as a junior draftsman for David Webster, a leading architect in that city. He moved to Boston and studied architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1927 to 1931, then returned to Canada where he worked for Darling & Pearson, for Mathers & Haldenby, and for S.B. Coon & Son, all of Toronto. He served as Assistant Superintendent of Buildings at the Univ. of Toronto from 1932 to 1936, then opened an office under his own name. He embraced the new modernist style being promoted in Europe and the United States, and entered the T. Eaton Co. Architectural Competition for House Designs in 1936, receiving an Honourable Mention for his progressive concept. His striking design was a radical departure from the neo-Georgian conservatism evident in some of the other entries. After serving overseas with Canadian Forces during WWII, he formed a new partnership in 1945 with Leonard Shore and during the next fifteen years they were credited with a number of significant modernist landmarks in Toronto (see list of works under Shore & Moffat). The firm also designed the Memorial Student Union Building on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan. Their firm was awarded a Massey Medal for the York Township Municipal Offices (1952), and another Silver Massey Medal for the Imperial Oil Research Centre in Sarnia, Ont. (1961). Moffat died suddenly on 17 December 1960 at Port Credit, Ont.

Elevated view looking northwest from the Administration Building. Arts Tower, Thorvaldson and Physics buildings in background.

Looking west at Chemistry annexes; Thorvaldson Building and Arts Tower in background.

Bio/Historical Note: The limitations of the original Chemistry Building became apparent with the massive influx of students at the end of World War II. The rise in enrollment put a strain on the resources of universities across the country. In response the federal government offered military surplus equipment and buildings to educational institutions at bargain prices. The University of Saskatchewan purchased nine surplus huts used at the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan airport at Dafoe, Saskatchewan, for $46,000 and joined them together to form Chemistry Annex One and Two. This “temporary” solution remained in place for two decades. The annexes were reconfigured in 1964-1965. The Thorvaldson Building opened on 6 June 1966. The annexes were removed by spring 1977.

Looking west from the Administration Building with Thorvaldson Building,Qu'Appelle Hall, Marquis Hall, north wing of Murray Memorial (Main) Library and Arts Tower visible. South wing of Murray Library under construction. Students changing classes; winter scene.

Looking west from the Administration Building as students change classes. Buildings (from l to r): Chemistry Building, Qu'Appelle Hall, Marquis Hall, north wing of Murray Memorial (Main) Library and Arts Tower. South wing of Main Library addition under construction. Parked cars in foreground; winter scene.