Raymond Moriyama, a Japanese Canadian architect known for his designs of open and welcoming civic spaces in Toronto, has passed away at the age of 93. Moriyama’s childhood experiences with racism and internment influenced his designs, shaping the city’s landscape.
Raymond Moriyama, an iconoclastic Japanese Canadian architect whose childhood experiences of racism and internment led him to design open and inviting civic spaces that shaped the city of Toronto, has died at 93. https://t.co/tBvRKI4KA9
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— NYT Obituaries (@NYTObits) September 18, 2023
Raymond Moriyama, a renowned Japanese Canadian architect, passed away at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy of designing open and inviting civic spaces that have shaped the city of Toronto. His childhood experiences of racism and internment during World War II greatly influenced his architectural style and approach.
Born on October 11, 1929, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Moriyama’s early life was marked by hardship and discrimination. Along with thousands of other Japanese Canadians, his family was forcibly relocated and interned during the war. These experiences left a lasting impact on Moriyama and fueled his determination to create inclusive spaces that fostered a sense of belonging.
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Moriyama’s architectural career took flight after he graduated from the University of Toronto in 1954. He worked with several architectural firms before establishing his own, Moriyama & Teshima Architects, in 1970. His designs were characterized by their harmonious integration with the surrounding environment and their ability to engage and connect people.
Throughout his illustrious career, Moriyama designed numerous iconic buildings and spaces in Toronto, including the Ontario Science Centre, the Bata Shoe Museum, and the Toronto Reference Library. His works were not confined to Toronto alone, as his influence extended across Canada and the globe. He contributed to the design of the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo and the Ottawa City Hall, among many other notable projects.
While Raymond Moriyama’s impact on the architectural world is undeniable, his cause of death remains unknown at this time. The news of his passing has left the architectural community and the city of Toronto mourning the loss of a visionary and trailblazer.
Moriyama’s contributions went beyond his architectural achievements. He was also a passionate advocate for social justice and diversity in the profession. His dedication to creating inclusive spaces that reflected the values of acceptance and unity will continue to inspire future generations of architects.
Raymond Moriyama’s death leaves a void in the architectural landscape, but his legacy will live on through the spaces he designed, which will continue to shape the city of Toronto and inspire architects around the world..
Raymond Moriyama, an iconoclastic Japanese Canadian architect whose childhood experiences of racism and internment led him to design open and inviting civic spaces that shaped the city of Toronto, has died at 93. https://t.co/tBvRKI4KA9
— NYT Obituaries (@NYTObits) September 18, 2023
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