the house was the message

“…a medium is not something neutral – it does something to people…It takes hold of them. It massages them, it bumps them around.” – Marshall McLuhan

i would argue that the same can be said of a house…

Canada’s own media guru Marshall McLuhan (1911 – 1980) lived last part of his life in Toronto’s gorgeous Wychwood Park, in a house was built by Eden Smith & Sons. Eden Smith was known for his commitment to the Arts & Crafts style, and the McLuhan house still has most of its original details.

McLuhan called the house “Walden II” according to his daughter, Elizabeth, and he insisted that guests walk through the surrounding park with him. He spent long evenings talking with friends over dinners (and his guest list included primer minister PET & others, so some of those nights must have seen some pretty darn interesting conversations). McLuhan liked to work in various rooms of the house, often lounging on the sofa in the wood-panelled living room, surrounded by books & papers (which apparently drove his wife Corinne to distraction, because of the mess).

Buildings from Eden Smith are always interesting, as Smith was committed to testing open plans, niches, and irregular entrance halls that were designed to take full advantage of the building’s location. And if you don’t simply want to take my word for it, and you’re feeling flush, you can get out there & buy McLuhan’s former house; his widow, Corinne, passed away this spring and 3 Wychwood Park is currently on the market. I really hope that whoever buys & lives in the house takes the time to consider McLuhan’s legacy…and hey, couldn’t the house get a plaque, too?

(a bit more about the park here)

(and for a wonderful post on McLuhan’s ongoing relevance re. the net, check here)