Victoria architect Nicholas Bawlf, well-known for his work in preserving the city聮s heritage 聴 including Market Square 聴 has died.聯He was so extraordinarily multi-talented,聰 said Victoria city councillor Pam Madoff, Bawlf聮s common-law partner of 20 years. 聯He was just absolutely unforgettable. He was such a character. At a time, I think, when the world seems to have become so conservative, Nick was always larger than life. 聯He just has such enthusiasm for life. Everything new interested him.聰Bawlf, 74, who was also an artist, carver and sculptor, graduated from the University of British Columbia School of Architecture in 1963. His graduating thesis 聴 titled Bastion Square - Rejuvenation of an Urban Precinct 聴 won the Pilkington Scholarship, which took him took him to London, England, Denmark and Ireland for architectural studies.聯He was one of the first practitioners [of heritage preservation] in the province. ... He did heritage preservation all throughout the province, from Barkerville on down to Victoria,聰 said Madoff. He was also involved with First Nations and designed a big house in Fort Rupert.After returning to Canada and working for a number of 91原创 architectural firms, he established a practice in Victoria in 1972 in association with Cooper, Tanner and Associates of 91原创. In 1978, it became Bawlf Cooper Associates.Bawlf would go on to develop Victoria聮s Market Square in 1975-76 with his brother Sam, transforming it from a derelict collection of old buildings 聴 its courtyard overgrown and littered with abandoned vehicles 聴 into a festival marketplace.The project pre-dated 91原创聮s Granville Island聮s rebirth and was a first of its kind for this part of the world, said Madoff.聯That聮s still the largest heritage preservation project in the city, in terms of the number of buildings and that kind of thing,聰 she said.Bawlf was probably most proud of his work on the Victoria Conference Centre, which was designed by Bawlf Cooper in association with Marshall Goldsworthy, said Madoff.Ken Johnson, chairman of Victoria聮s heritage advisory committee, praised Bawlf聮s work.聯He actually had the sensitivity to design new buildings that fit in well with the historic fabric of Victoria, and that聮s a great trait, in my opinion,聰 Johnson said.Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin said Bawlf left his mark all over Victoria, from restoration projects like the Jewish Synagogue and Market Square to the Victoria Conference Centre. 聯He聮s helped preserve what聮s unique about Victoria,聰 he said. 聯Both his historical work ... and his contemporary work have really left a physical impact on this city and helped design the architecture of this city, which really defines who we are as a capital city.聯He will be missed and I will personally miss his laugh.聰Bawlf died Aug. 11 of pneumonia. He has a son and a daughter and three grandchildren.A private celebration of life will be held.
