MOIR, David James (1885-1957) played an important role in the architectural profession in Montreal, not as independent practitioner, but as Chief Assistant to Percy E. Nobbs, and to Nobbs & Hyde, for nearly thirty years. Born in Perth, Scotland in 1885 he was educated at the Glasgow School of Art and was said to have attended many classes held there by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, designer of the School building itself, and a leading figure in the birth of modernism at the turn of the century. Moir articled with MacLaren & Mackay of Perth (in 1903-07), and then spent three years with J.W.G. Laird in Glasgow. He emigrated to Canada and arrived in Toronto in November 1911, worked briefly there, then moved to Montreal where he obtained a position with Percy Nobbs, another Scotsman, and worked as his chief assistant until after WWII. He was a master detailer of stonework and wrought iron, and it may be said that the exquisite detailing found in many of Nobbs residential and institutional projects can likely be attributed to Moir. He joined the P.Q.A.A. in 1926 and continued to live and work in Montreal until his death there on 19 February 1957 (obit. Gazette [Montreal], 21 February 1957, 39; R.A.I.C. Journal, xxxiv, July 1957, 278; inf. R.I.B.A., London, Application for Membership dated 31 July 1912).
COMPETITIONS
Design for a Bomb Proof Shelter, 1941. Moir received 2nd Prize for his design of a brick shelter, in a competition sponsored by LaPrairie Brick Co. (R.A.I.C. Journal, xviii, May 1941, 91; July 1941, 119, illus.)
Canadian Small House Competition, 1947. Moir was awarded Third Prize for his scheme in this national competition (R.A.I.C. Journal, xxiv, Jan. 1947, 18)