Geoffrey Massey

Geoffrey Massey (29 October 19241 December 2020) was a Canadian architect and urban planner noted for his modernism-inspired architectural works. He was known for his partnership with architect Arthur Erickson that produced notable designs including the Simon Fraser University, and MacMillan Bloedel Building. As an urban planner, Massey was known for his contributions toward pedestrian-friendly densification of Vancouver and development of Granville Island in the city. Early life Massey was born in London, United Kingdom, on 29 October 1924, to Margery and Raymond Massey. His father was an actor and theatre artist who had acted in movies including Abe Lincoln in Illinois, and was the great-grandson of Massey-Harris tractor company founder, Daniel Massey. Geoffrey Massey's parents separated when he was five, in 1929. He went to the United States when his father's career took him to Broadway. Around the time he turned from 17 to 18 years old, Massey enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1942. He served in it for four years, and in doing so, he became a Canadian citizen. During his time in the service he trained as a paratrooper. However World War II ended before a scheduled deployment to the Japanese theatre could take place. Massey later said that his experience in the army had been formative, as he had been doing poorly in school before that but military service, and the break from education, gave him a sense of purpose and direction. Following the war, Massey received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University, and earned his master's degree from the university's Graduate School of Design. He learned under the co-founder of the Bauhaus movement, Walter Gropius, who was the head of the department in the school. During his time in the university, he was introduced to modernism in the curriculum, while other schools at the time still taught neoclassicism. It was here that he took part in debates and discussions focused on a fundamental rethink towards urban design. He was also introduced to the works of Le Corbusier who led the ground-up design of the Indian city of Chandigarh.