Keywords Architects Born in 1885

The house Cormier built for himself (1930-31) in the Golden Square Mile, an elegant Montréal neighbourhood, was indisputable proof of his rapid rise to professional success. In a mere decade he had gained the trust of both state and Church, for which he continued to build a few schools, churches and a monastery. In 1938, at the end of the Great Depression, he was put in charge of the new Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa, a building whose simple classicism illustrates his understanding of modernism. A few years later, Cormier became a member of the international team assembled to build the Headquarters of the United Nations (1947) in New York, for which he designed the exterior doors. He also designed the building of the Imprimerie nationale du Canada (1950-58) in Hull. The Grand séminaire de Québec at Université Laval (1957-69) was his last major accomplishment.

Cormier's measured adherence to modern style can be explained as much by his attachment to conservative principles as by his love of the fine arts. In the lecture notes of the architecture course he taught at the École polytechnique, he wrote that "modern architecture is that of any rational construction developed with respect to a renewal of sound tradition." His most radical projects were industrial in nature, such as the now-demolished seaplane hangar (1928) in Pointe-aux-Trembles, a small building where reinforced concrete was used in an innovative way. Although his home, now classified as cultural property, qualifies as an Art Deco masterpiece due to its sumptuous interior design, Cormier's work cannot be understood solely in relation to this architectural style. He is closer to those architects who sought to simplify classicism, such as Paul Cret. The books and magazines belonging to his personal collection, today kept at the CANADIAN CENTRE FOR ARCHITECTURE, along with all his other archives, show a man well versed in the development of architecture on the international scene. Although he headed major projects, Cormier preferred a fairly solitary practice. His team, composed of trusted colleagues, was small.

A man of multiple talents (watercolour and bookbinding were among his favourite hobbies), Cormier was highly skilled, both technically and artistically. He was a master of the entire design process, beginning with the calculation of the structural requirements. He drew the building down to its smallest details, including decorative elements and, in some cases, even the furniture. The quality of his work was recognized time and time again. In 1930 he was accepted as a fellow of the RIBA; in 1942 he received an honorary degree from the Université de Montréal; and in 1948 he was awarded the Order of Merit from the École polytechnique. Cormier received many medals for his designs. He was made an officer of the ORDER OF CANADA in 1974.

Supreme Court Building
Cormier's design incorporates both the ornamental art-deco style and the more refined international style (Corel Professional Photos).

Université de Montréal
Montréal, Québec, architect Ernest Cormier, begun 1928. Université de Montréal was recognized by Cormier's contemporaries as the first modern building in Québec (collection CCA Montreal, copyright Phyllis Lambert and Richard Pare).

Author FRANCE VANLAETHEM