FOULIS, James (1882-1932), a native of Penicuik, Scotland, was born on 24 August 1882 and was educated at Heriot Watt College in Edinburgh. He served his apprenticeship with Edward C.H. Maidman (in 1899-1902), and later studied architecture and design at the School of Applied Art in Edinburgh while working as a draftsman in 1902-04 for Sir Rowand Anderson, one of that city's leading architects. In 1904-06 he assisted in the office of William Leiper of Glasgow, then emigrated to Canada and was appointed as a staff architect in the Dept. of Public Works in Ottawa on 24 August 1906. Foulis was a designer of considerable skill, and he put his talent to good use during his spare time, submitting entries in two national architectural competitions while working for the federal government. He remained with the Department until 1919 when he was invited by Claude A. Findlay to open an office in Sault Ste. Marie (see list of works under Findlay & Foulis). When the firm won the competition in 1925 for Table Rock House in Niagara Falls, Ont., Foulis moved there to supervise the construction of this and several other works for the Niagara Parks Commission, as well as projects for various private clients including Sir Harry Oakes.
Foulis died suddenly in Niagara Falls on 28 April 1932; C.A. Findlay continued the practise in partnership with Norman W. Mann (obit. Niagara Falls Evening Review, 28 April 1932, 6; obituary Ottawa Journal, 29 April 1932, 3; Construction, xxv, May 1932, 121; R.A.I.C. Journal, ix, May 1932, 134; biog. R. Hamilton, Prominent Men of Canada, 1931-32, 319; inf. W.A.H. Lowe, Niagara Falls)
COMPETITIONS
OTTAWA, ONT., Departmental & Justice Buildings, Wellington Street, 1907. Foulis submitted an entry in the national competition for this project, and his design, presented in an elaborate Renaissance Revival style, was highly commended (C.A.B., xx, Sept. 1907, 184, descrip.). A full description of his scheme, with illustrations, can be found in C.A.B., xx, Dec. 1907, 15-19. The winners were E. & W.S. Maxwell of Montreal.
WINNIPEG, MAN., City Hall, 1913. Foulis was one of 39 architects from across Canada who submitted plans in this national competition, but he was not among the five finalists (City of Winnipeg Archives, Council Communications, 1913, Box A169, Item 9741, list of entrants). The winners were Clemesha & Portnall of Regina, but their scheme was never built.