Robert Booth
Biography
Robert Booth (1919-2015) was born and raised in North Vancouver to second generation English parents. He was an architect who built his own home in a 1950s west coast modern style. The tree covered lot, located near Capilano River, cost $575.00, while building the house totaled around $13,000.00. It was an undeveloped area at the time, so the house was settled into a rugged, forest landscape. Bob is also celebrated for his architectural work connected to Burrard Dry Dock and Westminster Abbey in Mission.
A Natural Architect
“I love the mountains. I’ve climbed all the mountains behind Grouse. Sometimes I went with my colleagues at the firm. I took a lot of photos on those trips, in the ’40s, I guess. By the late-1940s I had the $1900 for a down payment to get a house started. So I thought: “Well, I guess I’d better start designing a house.” I started big, of course, and then I finally got down to some sketches.
I wanted to build a log house. I had all the information on log houses and then I sort of gave myself a kick in the ass: “Where do you think you’re going to get all the logs from!?” Well, we’ve got all these trees around here but still I said, “It’s a nice thought, but forget it! Too much work!” I like the open concept and I wanted a beamed house—these beams are all cedar. I have a lot of books on Frank Lloyd Wright because I was intrigued with his stuff and some of it I liked. I knew I could follow that type of design, so I did.”