Context and Content - by A J Diamond (Paperback)

About the Book

Jack Diamond's rich account of his life takes us from his birth in his grandfather's library in rural South Africa, to playing rugby at an international level, to enjoying world-wide success in architecture and painting delicate watercolours. Context and Content is evidence of a life well spent.

Book Synopsis

A deeply personal memoir from one of Canada's most celebrated architects.

In this personal account of A.J. Diamond's life and work, he shares how he came to be the founder of the leading architecture firm Diamond Schmitt, one of Canada's most successful architecture companies. He also explains his principles of design, which at their core are about making a positive impact in the world, considering the needs of the content, client, and context. Diamond gives insight into his design principles in relation to some of his most notable projects, including the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, la Maison symphonique de Montréal, the Mariinsky II Theatre in Saint Petersburg, and the new city hall in Jerusalem. Diamond also chronicles his family ancestry, his childhood in South Africa, from his birth in his grandfather's study in the small provincial town of Piet Retief on the borders of Eswatini (Swaziland) and Mozambique, to his university days at the University of Cape Town and Oxford -- where he played rugby at the international level, scoring two winning tries for the Oxford Blues against Australia -- and the University of Pennsylvania. His memoir traces his immigration to the U.S. and, eventually, Canada as well as his growing architectural practice in Toronto, where he focused on the issues facing his chosen city.

Review Quotes

A deeply beautiful memoir -- wise, measured, grateful -- a moving assertion of what it means to live a life of passion, civic responsibility, and intense engagement with the world.

-- "Anne Michaels, author of Fugitive Pieces"

Diamond has written a memoir with the same qualities as his buildings and sketches: beautifully crafted, nothing in excess but rich in hidden insights and perspectives. A great read, wonderful stories, beautifully told.

-- "Bob Rae, former premier of Ontario and Canadian Ambassador to the U.N."

Diamond's belief in architecture as the mother art is capable of reconciling often opposing forces to create places of meaning for which people have always yearned.

-- "David Crombie, former mayor of Toronto"

Jack Diamond and his firm have created landmark buildings both at home and abroad, relentlessly guided by principle and his commitment to make a better world.... I have long admired him, but reading his life story has given me a deeper appreciation of just what an interesting journey he has travelled in making his difference in the world.

-- "J Robert S Prichard, OC, OOnt, President Emeritus, President Emeritus, University of Toronto"

About the Author

A.J. Diamond is a Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Gold Medallist, an Officer of the Order of Canada, and a member of the Order of Ontario. He has received both the Jane Jacobs Lifetime Achievement Award and the Ontario Association of Architects Lifetime Design Achievement Award. Diamond lives in Toronto.