1919 – Unpremiated Design for War Memorial Museum, Regina, Saskatchewan

Richard Geoffrey Bunyard(1883-1973) was one of the pioneering architects of southern Saskatchewan, was active in Moose Jaw for nearly twenty-five years. Born in Maidstone, Kent, he articled with a firm in London. In 1902 he emigrated to Winnipeg, and worked as a draftsman and clerk; it was there that he met Francis L. Jones, likely when both were employed by the prominent Winnipeg architect Henry S. Griffith. Bunyard returned to England in 1905, then arrived back in Canada in March 1906 and opened an office in partnership with Jones in Moose Jaw. Their business prospered, but for unknown reasons Jones departed for California in 1908 and Bunyard continued to practise under his own name for the next two decades, gaining a reputation for his Beaux-Arts designs for institutional, commercial and residential projects. More than half of the schools built in Moose Jaw between 1908 and 1929 were built from his plans.

“The Hall of Honor and War Relics Museum as the conditions requested are made the main features of the scheme. The Curator’s office, general office, cloak room and lavatories and room for the sale and exhibition of photographs, all face an ample foyer. From this foyer the opening hallway gives an imposing perspective, and brings the Hall of Honor immediately to the visitor’s notice. The War Relics Museum can be entered only from the Hall of Honor, thus bringing under observation of the visitor the most important part of the building.

The walls of the Hall or Honor are divided into twenty panels, each panel containing sufficient space to accommodate twelve memorial tablets of similar design. Between the panels and the stained-glass dome space has been left for fresco paintings, featuring episodes of the Great War. The treatment of this hall would be simple with columns and bases in marble, mosaic floor and cornices, etc., in ornamental plaster.

In the War Museum, top light would be used entirely. Columns in this room has been purposely omitted to afford full freedom for the placing of groups of exhibits of any size. The decorative treatment of the War Relics Museum would also be simple, consisting of openings finished in marble with shallow projections, cornices and ceiling design in ornamental plaster and floor of marble.

The War Records room is directly connected with the War Relics Museum and is plainly finished and amply lighted to make it suitable for the purpose intended.

The treatment of the museum rooms would be simple as suggested by the promoters. Lighting would be from the top and sides, with windows placed at such a height as not to interfere with the exhibits.

Access to the basement can be obtained from either the front or rear of the building. The basement contains ample space for storage, etc., and would be finished in plain treatment.

The construction of the building would be fireproof, the use of wood being almost entirely eliminated. The cost, based on a calculation of 55 cents per cubic foot throughout, would be $409,980.”
Construction, September 1919

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