after graduating from mcgill in 1956, harvor launched his career in ottawa, joining the firm of balharrie, helmer and morin architects. a decade later, he established his own firm, harvor, menendez architects.
in 1973, he moved to the federal government, where, as a senior project manager in public works, he became involved in phase 4 of the place du portage federal complex in gatineau.
members of the press inspect the pool at 24 sussex dr., on july 11, 1975. the pool house was designed by stig harvor.
chuck mitchell chuck mitchell
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the canadian press
two years later, he was handed an unusual task: prime minister pierre trudeau wanted a sauna and pool built at 24 sussex dr., the official residence of canada’s prime ministers since 1950.
harvor met with pierre and margaret trudeau to discuss their ideas about the project. a decision was made to build a separate pool house — to contain the smell of chlorine — and connect it to the historic home with a tunnel.
harvor designed a building made entirely of wood, with an extended skylight and a seating area next to the garden. he chose cedar for the exterior so that, when it weathered to grey, it would match the colour of the old stone house.
to avoid the political cost of spending public money on the project, the liberal party raised $200,000 for the pool house through private donations. it became a focal point of trudeau’s leisure time.