We’re thrilled to have architecture critic Chris Hume join us for the screening of City Dreamers, a documentary about four women architects who were pioneers in a male-dominated field, worked with some of the giants of the modern era — Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe and Louis Kahn — and excelled in their professions.
This Extraordinary Women event takes place at an unusual time for us: Saturday, March 23, at 4:00 pm at the Revue Cinema. Buy tickets in advance for $15 (fees included) on Eventbrite or $18 at the door.
Three of the four women worked in Canada; two of them have passed away since the film was completed in . Chris, while working at the Toronto Star, interviewed three of them.
What lessons do they have for our city? There are many. But one thing in particular Chris points out: While they have embraced modern architecture, they are also passionate advocates for preserving our built heritage.
Our discussion with Chris will be a lively one!
Here are the four architects featured in City Dreamers, one of them a landscape designer:
The film was directed by Joseph Hillel, a Montreal resident. His first documentary in 2004 was about the architect Mies van der Rohe; his second, about photography. City Dreamers, which is 82 minutes long, was released in 2018. Watch the trailer here.
More about the Designers
Denise Scott Brown: Learn more about her accomplishments and the impact of her planning and design approach through this video, marking the 2016 award of gold medals to her and her husband Robert Venturi by the American Institute of Architects.
Blanche Lemco van Ginkel: Read about her in this Azure magazine article after she passed away in 2022.
Cornelia Hahn Oberlander: This New York Times obituary in 2021 includes a description of the treed lobby, designed by Oberlander, in the NY Times building.
Phyllis Lambert: This Architectural Review article looks at some of Lambert’s contributions and ideas.