Heritage Canada Foundation THE GABRIELLE LÉGER AWARD for Lifetime Achievement in Heritage Conservation

Julian Smith, M.Arch, OAA, Ottawa, Ontario

Scholar, educator, architect and humanist, Julian Smith has, for more than 30 years, been a leader in efforts to ensure the conservation of Canada’s historic places.

As Chief Conservation Architect, National Historic Sites Program at Parks Canada from 1980 to 1987, he coordinated all national historic site design and development projects, and provided conservation advice to federal government departments and agencies. He also advised on the design and implementation of the Federal Heritage Buildings Program, which has led to the designation of 1,300 federal government buildings across the country.

Julian Smith’s contribution to Canada’s conservation field has been enriched by the research and knowledge he acquired through his parallel careers as university professor and practicing architect. In 1989, he established one of the first graduate programs in heritage conservation in Canada, at Carleton University in Ottawa, where he served as Director for 17 years. In this role, he became a mentor to many working in the conservation field today. 

As the principal of Julian Smith & Associates, Architects, he has established a national and international reputation for his work in the conservation, restoration and adaptive reuse of historic properties. He is noted for his sensitive designs for contemporary insertions in historic settings, and for the development of master plans, urban design studies and heritage district plans for significant urban and rural places. Noted projects in which he has played a leading role include:

• the restoration of the Vimy Memorial in France;
• the development of master plans for the Ontario Parliament Buildings and Grounds at Queen’s Park in Toronto;
• the landscapes of Parliament Hill and Rideau Hall in Ottawa;
• the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa;
• The Aberdeen Pavillion National Historic Site in Ottawa; and
• the new Canadian Embassy in the historic Villa Graziloli in Rome.

Julian Smith is a member of the board of directors of ICOMOS Canada; coauthored the Appleton Charter, and contributed to theFHBRO Code of Practice and theStandards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. He was recently invited to advise UNESCO on the drafting of a new international convention on the protection of historic urban landscapes. In keeping with a life-long interest in uniting conservation philosophy with restoration skills, Mr. Smith recently accepted the position of Executive Director of the Willowbank School of Restoration Arts in Queenston, Ontario.

Julian Smith was nominated by Marc L. Monette, Director, Project Implementation Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Backgrounder: Gabrielle Léger Award

Madame Gabrielle Léger (1916-1998) consented to serve as patron for an award that recognizes individuals for their outstanding service to the country in the cause of heritage conservation. Founded in 1978, the Gabrielle Léger Award is Canada's premier honour for individual achievement in heritage conservation. The award consists of a bronze medal by sculptor John E. Matthews, and an inscribed certificate.

The future of how we'll handle our past