Bernard Rasch

Biography

Rasch was born and raised in Winnipeg and studied architecture at the University of Manitoba, obtaining a Bachelor of Architecture in 1968. He moved to Toronto shortly after graduation and held positions with a number of architectural/engineering firms including Boigon and Heinonen, G.A. Asad, Venchiarutti and Venchiarutti and Ryan & Lee.

In 1973, Rasch established his own practice, Bernard Rasch Architect. In 1978, he formed a partnership with the Australian-trained architect K.C. Au in a firm that practised as Rasch & Au Architects. In 1985 a third partner, Nasry Habash, joined the firm which operated under the name Rasch, Au, Habash Architects Ltd. until 1987. From 1987 until 2001, Rasch again practised under the name Bernard Rasch Architect. In 2001 he became a senior associate of AREA Architects Rasch Eckler Associates Ltd., a firm with expanded expertise in heritage architecture and interior design. He is currently a consultant with Cornice Construction Consultants.

Rasch's architectural practice included a wide range of project types, primarily in the Toronto area and southern Ontario. An initial interest in residential projects diversified through time to include commercial, industrial and institutional work for both the private and public sectors.

Rasch's work and professional activity also reflect an interest in heritage preservation and restoration. He was chair of the Ontario Association of Architect's Historical Buildings Committee (1974), the Historical Documents Committee (1976) and Historical Committee (1979) as well as Chair of the Architectural Preservation Committee of the Toronto Board of Trade (1980-1981). Rasch was active on committees of the Guild Inn Scarborough, including a term as Chair of the Board of Management. Historical preservation projects have included work on the Sharon Temple and the Spence Hotel at the Muskoka Pioneer Village in Huntsville.

Rasch was highly active with the Ontario Association of Architects, serving on numerous committees and on the Association's council, including two terms as president in 1982 and 2000. He has also been involved in teaching, acting as a drawing instructor at Sheridan College, Oakville (1979), as a design mentor for the Royal Institute of Architecture syllabus course (1990-1991) and as a supervisor for co-op programs.

In addition to published articles in design and architectural journals, Rasch has written about architecture in popular publications such as Homemaker's Magazine and Chatelaine. From 1978 to 1980 he wrote a regular column "Ask the Architect" in the Toronto Sun.

Rasch has participated in a wide range of volunteer capacities with groups such as the North York Rotary Club, the Design Exchange, the North York Chamber of Commerce and the Head and Neck Cancer Foundation as well as work on numerous civic committees and boards.

Source: Archives of Ontario