Horwood, J.C.B., 1864-1938

• Horwood, John Charles Batstone

J.C.B. Horwood was a Toronto architect.

J.C.B. Horwood was born in Quidi Vidi, Newfoundland, on March 19, 1864, the son of a carpenter and contractor. The family moved to Toronto when J.C.B. was 4 years old. He trained at the architectural firms of Langley, Langley and Burke, in Toronto (from 1882 to 1887) and Clinton and Russell in New York City (1889-1894).

He partnered with Edmund Burke in 1894. Their partnership, Burke and Horwood, became Burke, Horwood and White when Murray A. White joined it in 1908, then became Horwood and White when Edmund Burke died in 1919. The firm retained its name after White's death in 1935.

Horwood and his associates became known for the Chicago style steel-frame construction and fire-proof materials they adopted for large commercial buildings. Their projects included office buildings, retail stores, sanatoria and residences. Major projects included various Toronto Baptist and Methodist churches, the Toronto West-end and Central YMCA buildings, various Hudson Bay Company department stores throughout Canada, as well as additions to Osgoode Hall and renovation of the Robert Simpson Company department store in Toronto.

J.C.B Horwood was a Charter member of the Arts and Letters Club (Toronto), as well as a member of the Toronto Architectural Sketch Club, the Toronto Architectural 18 Club and the Toronto Society of Architects. A proponent of the "national idea" in the development of a Canadian style, he favoured artistic training and freedom in the training of architects. Horwood was also recognized as an expert on structural engineering problems, including drainage and foundation works.

J.C.B. Horwood died in Toronto in 1938. His son E.C. Horwood succeeded him as principal in the firm.

Feb 9/12.