Biography
Arthur Charles Erickson, 1924-2009
Global architect, Arthur Charles Erickson was a passionate advocate of cultural awareness, and a fervent
explorer of human and natural environments. His buildings, though remarkably diverse, share deep
respect for the context, incomparable freshness and grace, and the dramatic use of space and light. He
has brought to his work an understanding of the community of man that, when filtered through his
insightful mind and fertile imagination, gives birth to a singular architecture that is in dialogue with the
world. (1.)
A Vancouver, B.C. native, Erickson studied at the University of British Columbia and later at McGill
University in Montreal, Quebec. Advanced studies brought Erickson to Greece, Italy, the Middle East and
Japan, where he discovered the nuances of architectural style in climate and terrain.
In 1963, Erickson reached a landmark moment in his career when he won a competition to design Simon
Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. Upon the University's completion, Erickson's integrative
design gained international acclaim, opening the gateway to a long and distinguished career.
As both architect and professor, Erickson has contributed much to the architectural community. His
works include The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, the Provincial Law
Courts in Vancouver, the San Diego Convention Center, Napp Laboratories in Cambridge, England, the
Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., California Plaza in Los Angeles, and the Museum of
Glass in Tacoma, Washington.
Erickson's noteworthy contributions and innovative design work earned him the Gold Medal from the
American Institute of Architects in 1986. The highest honor bestowed by the AIA, Erickson was the first
Canadian to receive the reward. Prefacing this honor, Erickson received numerous awards and degrees,
including gold medals from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 1984 and the French AcadEmie
d'Architecture in 1986.
1. Adapted from Arthur Erickson's 1986 AIA Gold Medal Citation.