1911 – A design for Lieutenant Governor’s Residence, Ontario, Canada

The architect’s statement with this design lays importance on landscaping and planting to the success of the entire project. William Bevan (1865-1945) was an English architect who resided in Canada for a few years before returning home in 1912.

“From a careful study of the site and levels, it was felt that the residence should not be placed too far back from Bloor Street East, but should be so situated that while allowing sufficient setting to ensure dignity and privacy, yet that access should be gained to the stables, not only from the front entrance, ^^, but also from Bismark Avenue and lane. Upon reference to the site plans, it will be seen how this has been accomplished. At the entrance from Bloor, the steward’s and gardener’s cottages have been placed, acting as lodges to the entrance gates. The residence would be centrally situated, flanked on the west and east by the ball room, and kitchen and servants’ wings respectively.

To the north of the residence a spacious formal terrace garden is proposed, flanked in similar manner by the rose garden and greenhouse, while a flight of steps would lead at a lower level to the tennis lawn or bowling green, which would be enclosed on the west side by the coach house and garage, and on the east by the kitchen garden wall. This lawn in turn would open onto a flower garden, having a lily pond and pergolas, and flanked by the stables and kitchen garden, and thence to the orchard, thus leading gradually from the formal to the less formal setting. The formal disposition and the broad and simple treatment of the scheme should impart a fine and dignified effect to the whole, while the terraces, flights of steps and flowers should make an attractive and picturesque setting for the residence.

The endeavor has been to take full advantage of the site by careful study of not only that part upon which the residence would stand, but of the whole site, its aspects, character, contour, etc.

“To leave a house exposed upon the site, unscreened and unterraced, is not to treat the site of the house fairly,” has been said by a late eminent – – ^ architect and authority on such matters. The charm of the old manor and stately house of England, where the art of domestic architecture had reached its highest perfection, is to be found in the architectural setting of terraces, steps, etc. Again, in Italy, no residence of importance was complete without its formal garden and terraces, and in a residence of such importance as that under consideration, and on a sloping site, there could be no question that some such treatment was not only desirable, but really essential.

The bird’s eye perspective gives some idea of the proposed scheme, but in the absence of color much is undoubtedly lost of the effect which would ultimately be secured. The treatment of the sloping hillside by a system of terracing and gravel walks and steps of easy gradient suggested itself in the preliminary studies, but was abandoned in favor of the planted arrangement, owing to the increased cost. If deemed advisable, and by an additional expenditure, this idea could still be carried out either as a part of the present scheme or as a development of the future, when the ravine itself has received proper attention.”
Construction, May 1911

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