The following biographical information
was written by Michael Houser, State Architectural Historian of the Department
of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.
It is from the Documentation and Conservation of the Modern Movement, Western Washington website (http://www.docomomo-wewa.org).
Born
and raised in
Spokane, Bruce Morris Walker,
began his formal architectural training at the
University of Washington
in 1941. However, before completing school, he was drafted into the Navy during
World War II and was sent to Midshipmen school. After being released from
active duty in 1947, he completed his education and received his Bachelor’s
degree in Architecture in June of that year. During school,
Walker
gained valuable experience by working for architect Bliss Moore in
Seattle. Upon graduation,
he returned home and went to work for a short time for architect E.J. Peterson
and then for the firm of McClure & Adkison.
A gifted student, Walker continued his architectural education in
Boston, and graduated
with a Master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design in 1951. During school
he worked for firm of Glazer & Gray in
Boston, and for the Architects Collaborative.
While in graduate school he won several national design competitions including
first prize in a joint NAHB and Architectural Forum small house competition.
After traveling and studying in Europe on the Appleton Traveling Fellowship,
Walker returned to
Spokane
and opened his own practice in 1952. In 1953, he formed a lasting partnership
with John W. McGough. Together, the firm pushed the architectural envelope in
the Inland Northwest and created many award winning projects over the next 30
plus years.
Benefiting from the post-war boom, the firm grew fast, designing many college
and institutional facilities throughout the state of
Washington. They also designed many
residences, commercial buildings, and public facilities. Notable projects
include the Joel E. Ferris II House (1954); Ridpath Motor Inn (1963);
Washington Mutual Savings Bank (1964); the Kamiak Apartments (1964) in Pullman;
Stephenson Residence Center, Bldg. "D" Washington State University
(1967); WSU Graduate Student Residence Hall (1971/1972); Farm Credit Banks (1969);
Spokane Opera House (1974); Central Pre-mix Concrete Co Headquarters (1980);
and the Metropolitan Financial Center (1982).
Walker
passed away in
Spokane
in April 2005 at the age of 81.
