Peter Coffman

I am an architectural historian whose fate was sealed many years ago when I caught my first glimpse of Canterbury Cathedral from a train window. My infatuation with the Middle Ages gradually expanded to include later re-inventions of medieval forms – particularly Canadian Gothic Revival architecture, which is now my main area of research. An overarching theme in my current work is the exploration of the many cultural and political meanings that have been attached to the Gothic style from the twelfth century to the present day.

I am also Past President of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, a scholarly society devoted to the study of all aspects of the built environment in Canada. We meet annually in diverse Canadian locations to share our research (over the last three years in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Regina, and Annapolis Royal), and publish a journal (The Journal of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada) that is the only academic periodical devoted to the study of Canadian architecture. I encourage all students interested in our built environment to become active in the Society.

In the History and Theory of Architecture (HTA) program at Carleton, we explore the history, meaning and social significance of the built environment, and how it both reflects and shapes human circumstances. We also study the theoretical foundations of architectural movements ranging from Antiquity to the present day. The interdisciplinary strength of Carleton University, plus the spectacular research resources of the City of Ottawa, make HTA an exciting place to be.

I have a diverse background and eclectic interests. I was a photographer in a previous (professional) life – indeed, I may be the only architectural historian ever to have won a music award for photography. My most recent solo exhibitions were Anglicana Tales, an exhibition of architectural photography at the Dalhousie Art Gallery (2010), and Camino, at ViewPoint Gallery in Halifax (2009). Within the past year, my photographs have illustrated two books: Exploring the Capital (by Andrew Waldron, Figure.1 Publishing), and Camino (Wintergreen Studios Press), which I also wrote.

(Profile photograph by Joseph Szostak)

Publications:

“Meanings of Gothic in Atlantic Canada”, Gothic Revival Worldwide: AWN Pugin’s Global Influence, KADOC Artes series, Leuven University Press, pp 64-75 (2017)

“The Gibbsian Tradition in Nova Scotia”, Tributes to Pierre du Prey: Architecture and the Classical Tradition, from Pliny to Posterity, London/Turnhout: Harvey Miller Publishers, pp 211-27 (2015)

“The Canadian Churches of Stephen C. Earle”, Journal of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, volume 38, no. 1, 67-74 (2013)

“The Introduction of Ecclesiology to Nova Scotia”, Studies in Victorian Architecture and Design Vol. 4: Ecclesiology Abroad, London: The Victorian Society, 78-93 (2012)

Newfoundland Gothic, Montréal: Institut du patrimoine, Université du Québec à Montréal (2008)

“William Grey: ‘Missionary’ of Gothic in Newfoundland” Journal of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, Vol. 32, No. 1, 39-48 co-authored with Shane O’Dea (2007)

“St. John’s Anglican Cathedral and the Beginnings of Ecclesiological Gothic in Newfoundland” Journal of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, Vol. 31, No. 1, 3-22 (2006)

“St. Anne’s Anglican Church and its Patron” Journal of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, Vol. 30, No. 1-2, 17-26 (2005)

“Casa Loma and the Gothic Imagination” Journal of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, Vol. 28, no. 3/4, 2004, 3-12 (2004)

“Eadburg of Repton and Southwell Minster: Norman Shrine-Church for a Saxon Saint?” J. Goering, F. Guardiani, G. Silano, Eds., Saints and the Sacred (New York, Ottawa, Toronto: 2001), 105-122 (2001)

“Blyth Priory: A Romanesque Church in Nottinghamshire” co-authored with Malcolm Thurlby, Transactions of the Thoroton Society, Vol. 105, 57-71 (2001)

“The Influence of Southwell Minster on Romanesque Churches in Nottinghamshire” co-authored with Malcolm Thurlby, Transactions of the Thoroton Society, Vol. 104, 37-46 (2000)

“The Romanesque East End of Southwell Minster” British Archaeological Association Conference Transactions: Southwell and Nottinghamshire (Leeds), 1-12 (1998)

“The Romanesque Rib-Vaults of Southwell Minster” Transactions of the Thoroton Society, Vol. 98, 38-48 (1994)

Current Courses:

• ARTH 1200: Introduction to Architectural History
• ARTH 2710: Experiencing Architecture
• ARTH 2202: Medieval Architecture and Art
• ARTH 2510: Architecture of the 18^th and 19^th Centuries

Recent Academic Awards:

Killam Postdoctoral Fellowship

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Postdoctoral Fellowship

Phyllis Lambert Prize

Governor-General’s Academic Gold Medal

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Doctoral Fellowship

================================

I invite you to explore some images of Canadian and Medieval European architecture that features in my research and teaching. (The links will launch a pop out window, click on the small “X” in the upper right of the image to close the window.)

Medieval European Architecture

Canadian Churches

Share: Twitter, Facebook
Short URL: https://carleton.ca/aah/?p=605