The first type of Canadian architecture that will be examined is the First Nations. The first people to live on what we know as Canada today were First Nations. As such, it is only fitting that they lead the introduction of this topic.
The First Nations lived in an array of structures. You would find that the semi-nomadic peoples of the Maritimes,
Quebec and Northern Ontario generally lived in wigwams.
A wigwam is a wood frame structure, covered with an outer layer of bark, reeds or woven mats.
The most common form of a wigwam found I Canada was a cone shape, however you would also find at time dome shaped wigwams.
When these groups changed their location they would take the outer layer of the wigwam with them, and leave the heavy wood frame in its place. The frame could also be reused if the tribe returned to that location.
With this, there were already moveable housing available for use, with the only problem being that you have to consistently recreate the wood frame if you want to have housing.
Further south, to what we know as Southern Ontario and Quebec, the Iroquois society lived in permanent agricultural settlements that held several hundred to several thousand people. The standard form of housing was the long house. The structures were large in size, and were built with a frame of saplings or branches, covered with a layer of woven mats.
On the Prairies, the standard form of life was nomadic, with people moving alongside the bison herds. Therefore, housing had to be portable, and thus the tipi was developed.
A tipi consisted of a thin wooden frame and an outer covering of animal hides. This structure was able to be built quickly and was light enough to transport long distances.
In the interior of British Columbia, the standard form of a home was the semi-permanent pit house or otherwise known as quiggly holes. These structures were created into an upturned bowl, placed on top of a three or four feet pit. The bowl is make out of wood, and covered with an insulating layer of earth. To enter the house, you would have to climb down a ladder.
Some of the most impressive architecture were by people who settled on the west coast. These people used advanced carpentry and joinery skills to construct large houses of redcedar planks. These were large square, solidly build houses.
In the north, where wood was scarce, and solid shelter was necessary for survival, there were several unique architectural styles developed. The most famous being, the igloo; it is a domed structure made out of snow. When summer came around, and the igloos melted, tents made of seal skin were used.
Comparing what was seen at that time, to what is seen now, architecture has changed dramatically over time. Next time you will find yourself in the time of when the Europeans came to Canada.
Heleen Jacobsen
Broker of Record with InfoMarket Group GMAC Real Estate
www.infomarketgroup.com
