HODGES, Claude Vivian (1884-1962) was instructor of Architectural History, Design & Building Construction at the Hamilton Technical Institute and during his tenure likely played a role in tutoring a whole generation of Hamilton architects from 1925 to 1950. Born in Leicester, England on 8 July 1884 he articled under Walter Brand of Leicester in 1900-07, during which time he attended courses at the Leicester School of Art. He worked for Bradshaw & Gass of Bolton (1907-10), then moved to London to attend classes at the Architectural Association and work as assistant in His Majesty's Office of Works for Royal Palaces (1912-13). He emigrated to Canada in late 1913 and lived in Montreal where he was employed as draftsman in the office of Barott, Blackadder & Webster. In early 1914 he relocated in Toronto to take a position as draftsman in the Ontario Government Dept. of Public Works, working under the direct supervision of Francis R. Heakes. During the next eight years he acted as chief designer for major government buildings including the Court House at Port Arthur (1923-24), the Court House at Sault Ste. Marie (1919-22), several buildings at the Agricultural College at Guelph, and the complete interior design of the mansion for the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (completed 1915).
In early 1922 he resigned from his position with the Ontario D.P.W. and moved to Kitchener, Ont. and opened his own office there (Daily Record [Kitchener], 8 April 1922, 11, biog.). In 1926 he moved to Hamilton and later taught at the Technical School while operating a small practise under his own name from 1926 to 1932. He died in Hamilton on 4 October 1962 (death notice in Spectator [Hamilton], 5 Oct. 1962, 40; R.I.B.A., Directory of British Architects 1834-1914, 2001, i, 927-28)
COMPETITIONS
HAMILTON, ONT., North West Entrance to the City, 1927-28. Sixteen firms submitted designs in this competition for a series of parks, gardens and a high level bridge on lands adjacent to Dundurn Castle (Hamilton Spectator, 20 March 1928, 23, list of competitors). The scheme by Hodges was not premiated (R.A.I.C. Journal, v, April 1928, 131). Earle Sheppard of Toronto won First Prize of $2,000, but his winning design was not built.