Dear Friends and Colleagues,
It is with great sadness I must share the news of Barry’s passing. The suddenness came as a surprise to his family and the office. He had been successfully battling cancer for a number of years but was recently diagnosed with a new strain which rapidly overtook him this weekend. Words cannot express the loss, which has been rendered surreal by the pandemic. Thank you for the calls and heartfelt notes of support that have already begun rolling in ahead of this announcement.
When his health situation became apparent a few weeks back, he sent a note to members of the office requesting we not feel sorry for him – but rather channel our energy and passion into our work. His request is a true example of his mentorship and unwavering quest for excellence, even as his body was failing him.
Barry was a leading figure in everything he did – influencing generations of architects. He was first my teacher and guide – remaining my personal standard and inspiration – leading and teaching by example with integrity, passion and curiosity. It is fitting that the 1995 Butterfly Conservatory and the recently completed McEwen Graduate Study and Research Building were both nationally recognized in 2020. These projects represent a trajectory of research, experimentation and innovation, which was initially prototyped for a fringe project and ultimately developed and integrated back into the mainstream.
It has truly been a great honour to collaborate and share many years with him in the studio as an intern, project architect and later as collaborator and partner. He has left us far too soon and will be greatly missed. We will carry forward his passion and torch for holistic, synthetic design and continue to advance solutions to the defining challenges of our age.
Messages of condolence can be shared in the comments section below or on BSN’s social media pages (Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter) and through the Daniels Faculty. Details will be forthcoming regarding a planned Celebration of Life with the Daniels Faculty. Those wishing to donate to the Barry W. Sampson Scholarship Fund, which was set up at the time of Barry’s recent retirement from the Daniel’s Faculty, can do so online at https://uoft.me/barrysampson or by downloading the scholarship fund pledge form.
Jon Neuert
