Richard Cotsman Wright (architect)
| Richard Cotsman Wright | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1860 London, Ontario |
| Died | 1927 Ottawa, Ontario |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Practice | Chief Dominion Architect |
| Buildings | Confederation Building (Ottawa) |
Richard Cotsman Wright (1860–1921) was a Canadian architect who served as Chief Dominion Architect from 1918-1927. As chief government architect he was responsible for many of the federal buildings constructed in this period. He embraced Chateauesque architecture and the Collegiate Gothic architecture.
He was born in London, Ontario on 5 January 1860. He was educated in London, Ontario. He received private tutoring as an architect and construction engineer. He articled with Tracy & Durand, in London, Ontario from 1877 to 1881. He spent from 1881-1896 working as an assistant in New York to Richard M. Hunt, Bruce Price, and Charles C. Haight. He became an associate of Clarence S. Luce, in New York.
In 1906, he became Assistant Chief Architect in the Department of Public Works in Ottawa, Ontario. He serving directly under David Ewart, then Chief Dominion Architect. In June 1914 he retired to work in the private sector. In October 1915, he returned to his post as Assistant Chief Architect in the Department of Public Works in Ottawa, Ontario. In early 1918 he succeeded Edgar Lewis Horwood as Chief Dominion Architect.
As Chief Dominion Architect, he supervised the design and construction of every post office, customs building and federal government building erected in Canada between 1918 until 1927. His most significant work was the Confederation Building (Ottawa) (1927–30), in the Chateau Style. After Wright died in office, in January 1927, he was succeeded by Thomas W. Fuller.
He designed a number of buildings in Ottawa, Ontario. These include: The Hunter Building, Queen Street at Albert Street and O'Connor Street, 1918–19; War Trophies Building, Sussex Street (1920); Central Experimental Farm Building, addition of the Poultry Office Building (1920); Botanical Laboratory Building, (1924–25); Dominion Archives of Canada, Sussex Drive, major addition to existing building, with stair tower, (1923–24); Rideau Hall addition of Palm House Conservatory (1924–25); The Confederation Building (Ottawa), Wellington Street at Bank Street, (1927–30).
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