Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto (1973-1975)
Dates of creation
1973-1984
Level of archival description
Project
Extent and Medium
Approximately 1122 drawings (including 799 reprographic copies)
Approximately 43 photographic materials
1.144 l.m. of textual records
1 mounted work of art
Scope and Content
This project series documents the design and construction of the residence of A.W. Billes and his family at 30 High Point Road in North York, Toronto from 1973-1975. The office identified the project number as 7302.
This project consisted of a ten bedroom home for Toronto businessman Alfred W. Billes, who was part of the Canadian Tire founding family and part owner at this time. The extravagant home included tennis courts, a pool, an indoor atrium with gardens, staff quarters, a library, and a piano room, among others. Built in the Bridle Path neighbourhood, the home was designed in the modernist style with two terraced balconies facing the street. Following the completion of the project, A.W. Billes sued the firm of Parkin Partnership Architects Planners over dissatisfaction with the construction, a case that was appealed all the way to the Supreme Court. Parkin lost the case in 1984 and had to pay A.W. Billes approximately $125,000.
The project is recorded through drawings, photographs, slides, a project painting, and textual records dating from 1973-1984. The drawings are a mix of original sketches and construction drawings. The photographs and slides show the completed project. The textual records include construction documentation, design notes, interoffice memos, correspondence, meeting and site reports, extensive lawsuit documentation, contract data, a project manual for the homeowners and consultancy records. Some of the drawings and textual records are labelled Part 7', but it is unclear from the documentation what this refers to. There are a large number of construction drawings, some sketches, and detail drawings arranged within the textual materials.
Materials in this project series have been compiled from different accessions and/or arranged by material type.
Conditions governing reproduction
Jennifer A.C. Parkin holds copyright for materials from accession AR1997:0021. Permission must be sought from copyright holder before reproductions can be made.
Title: Sketches, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1973-1974
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
97 drawings
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 97 x 60 cm
Sheet (smallest): 31 x 30 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Sketches, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1973-1974
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
99 drawings
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 117 x 67 cm
Sheet (smallest): 34 x 41 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Sketches with accompanying notes and calculations, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1975
Form: drawings, textual records
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
11 drawings
1 reprographic copy
0.001 l.m. of textual records
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 108 x 88 cm
Sheet (smallest): 27 x 15 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Sketch floor plans, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: circa 1973
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
4 drawings
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 93 x 83 cm
Sheet (smallest): 76 x 20 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Floor plans, sections, details, and sketches, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1973-1974
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
14 drawings
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 124 x 84 cm
Sheet (smallest): 48 x 44 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Sketch plans, elevations, sections, details and structural drawings, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974-1975
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
13 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 112 x 42 cm
Sheet (smallest): 40 x 24 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Floor plans and sketch sections and details, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
7 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 58 x 23 cm
Sheet (smallest): 38 x 22 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Plans, elevations, details and sections, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1975
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
17 drawings
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Structural, mechanical and electrical drawings, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974-1975
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
23 drawings
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Floor plans, site plan and sections, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
6 drawings
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Electrical and structural drawings, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1975-1976
Form: drawings, textual records, photographs
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
6 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Floor plans, elevations, sections, details, and structural and mechanical drawings, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1973-1975
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
23 reprographic copies, some with annotations
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 124 x 84 cm
Sheet (smallest): 58 x 40 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Floor and site plans, elevations and sections, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1973-1975
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
12 reprographic copies with annotations
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 124 x 84 cm
Sheet (smallest): 107 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Set of contract drawings for Part 7', Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1975
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Description:
This set is referred to as Exibit 7A.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
18 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Physical Description:
These drawings are torn. Handling should be limited.
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Set of as built mechanical and electrical drawings, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1976
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Description:
This set is referred to as Exibit 7B.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
11 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Mechanical and structural drawings and fence layout, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
41 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Annotated site and floor plans, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
11 reprographic copies with annotations
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Plans, elevations, sections and electrical and mechanical drawings, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
23 reprographic copies, some with annotations
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: As built mechanical and electrical drawings, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
7 reprographic copies with annotations
Dimensions:
Sheet: 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Plans, elevations, wall sections and construction schedule, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
10 reprographic copies with annotations
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 90 x 60 cm
Sheet (smallest): 65 x 63 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Site survey prepared by John C. Beaston and landscaping plan prepared by contractor, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
3 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 100 x 61 cm
Sheet (smallest): 28 x 21 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Floor plan negatives, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: circa 1973
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
3 reprographic copies
Dimensions:
Sheet: 44 x 33 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Project documentation, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974-1978
Form: drawings, textual records
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Description:
This is a box containing specifications, tender documentation and drawings, sketches, supplementary instructions, detail drawings, schedules and interoffice memos.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
Approximately 240 reprographic copies
Approximately 28 drawings
0.11 l.m. of textual records
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Project documentation, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974-1984
Form: drawings, textual records, photographs
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Description:
This is a box containing specifications, construction documentation and correspondence, meeting and site reports, documentation on a lawsuit filed against Parkin by client, contract data and interoffice letters.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
Approximately 20 reprographic copies
2 photographs
0.315 l.m. of textual records
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Project documentation, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1973-1984
Form: drawings, textual records, photographs
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Description:
This is a box containg photographs and slides of the finished home, inspection reports, tender and contractor documents, consultancy files, client and contractor correspondence, conference reports, documentation on a lawsuit filed against Parkin by client, and a construction schedule.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
Approximately 35 photographs
Approximately 10 reprographic copies
6 slides
Approximately 5 drawings
0.315 l.m. of textual records
Conditions governing reproduction:
Jennifer A.C. Parkin holds copyright to materials from accession AR1997:0021 (Folders 11-21 in this box). Permission must be sought from copyright holder before reproductions can be made.
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Folders 01-10:
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Folders 11-21:
Don de Jennifer A.C. Parkin/
Gift of Jennifer A.C. Parkin
Title: Legal assistance documentation and project manual for home owners, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1976-1978
Form: textual records
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
0.12 l.m. of textual records
Conditions governing reproduction:
Jennifer A.C. Parkin holds copyright. Permission must be sought from copyright holder before reproductions can be made.
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de Jennifer A.C. Parkin/
Gift from Jennifer A.C. Parkin
Title: Presentation board with project painting by Dawdon, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: circa 1973
Form: works of art
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
1 mounted painting
Dimensions:
84 x 65 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Sketch atrium studies, ceiling plans, sections and detail, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
5 drawings
Dimensions:
Sheet (largest): 34 x 22 cm
Sheet (smallest): 66 x 60 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Project documentation, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974-1978
Form: drawings, textual records
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Description:
This is a box containing a book of contract documents and detail drawings, client correspondence, contractor correspondence, design notes and inspection reports.
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
Approximately 340 reprographic copies
0.215 l.m. of textual records
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Mechanical (Nicholas-Fodor) inspection reports and correspondence, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974-1976
Form: textual records
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
0.045 l.m. of textual records
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Contractor records, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1974-1977
Form: textual records
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
0.023 l.m. of textual records
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
Title: Sections, elevations and roof, floor and site plans, Residence of Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Billes, Toronto
Dates of creation: 1973
Form: drawings
Catalogued items within this file 0
People:
John Cresswell Parkin (archive creator)
Quantity / Object type:
1 File
Extent and Medium:
14 drawings
Dimensions:
Sheet (smallest): 49 x 33 cm
Sheet (largest): 124 x 84 cm
Credit line:
John C. Parkin fonds
Collection Centre Canadien d'Architecture/
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal
Don de John C. Parkin/
Gift of John C. Parkin
