DELAY, Emile E. (1875-1939) was born in Paris, France and educated there, likely at the Academie since his name is absent from the comprehensive list of graduates of the Ecole des Beaux Arts prepared by E. Delaire in 1907 (Les Architectes eleves de l'Ecole des Beaux Arts 1793-1907). He appears to have been a minor figure in Lausanne, Switzerland where he practised at the turn of the century (Inventaire Suisse d'Architecture 1850-1920, Vol. 5, 1990, Lausanne, 247). He obtained '...extensive experience in erecting hospitals in France' before emigrating to Canada in 1913 and settling at Saskatoon, Sask. where he was in partnership with Frederick J. O'Leary (see list of works under O'Leary & Delay). He quickly established a reputation for himself by publicly commenting on, and criticizing the state of, local architecture and design (Saskatoon Phoenix, 2 April 1913, 5). Barely able to speak English, he relied on his partner F.J. O'Leary to translate and make statements on his behalf. In 1917 Delay moved to Regina and was employed as a draftsman in the provincial Public Works Dept. In 1918 he commenced practice, operating under the name of 'The Architectural Studio', and working in collaboration with Horatio C. Flack, who he had met in the Public Works drafting office. They formed a partnership in 1921 and remained active until 1924.
In 1919 Delay was one of eight invited participants who submitted an entry in the competition for the War Memorial Museum in Regina. He prepared an elaborate and highly mannered Beaux Arts scheme that proved to be simply too ambitious and costly for a conservative provincial city in the Canadian West. (Saskatoon Phoenix, 22 July 1919, 3; Const., xii, Sept. 1919, 286-7, 290, illus. & descrip.). The commission for the Museum was later awarded to Nobbs & Hyde of Montreal, but their winning design was never built. Delay continued to practice in Regina from 1926 until 1933 and can be credited with several works for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina, including a convent at Tramping Lake and Roman Catholic schools at Ponteix, La Fleche and Gravelbourg. He retired in 1934 and died at Wolseley, Sask. on 9 February 1939 (obit. Regina Leader-Post, 9 Feb. 1939, 1; obituary Ottawa Journal, 10 Feb. 1939, 23; R.A.I.C. Journal, xvi, March 1939, 54; biog. E.J. Gilbert, Up the Years with the Saskatchewan Assoc. of Architects, 1969, 8)
Emile E. DELAY
MONTMARTE, SASK., a new public school, to replace the school burned in January 1919 (Morning Leader (Regina), 29 March 1919, 21)
DELAY & ROWLEY (with A.J. Rowley)
HERBERT, SASK., a new Union Hospital, 1920 (Morning Leader (Regina), 6 August 1920, 10, t.c.)
DELAY & FLACK
REGINA, SASK., a new Roman Catholic church, on the north side of Regina, 1922 (Morning Leader (Regina), 6 May 1922, 18, descrip., and credited to ' The Architectural Studio ' in Regina)
REGINA, SASK., two proposals for a public concert hall and art gallery, Hamilton Street at 12th Avenue, 1924, but not built (Morning Leader (Regina), 25 March 1924, 2; and 28 March 1924, 1, descrip.)
COMPETITIONS
REGINA, SASK., War Memorial Museum, 1919 (Saskatoon Phoenix, 22 July 1919, 3; Const., xii, Sept. 1919, 286-7, 290, illus. & descrip.). The elaborate design by Delay was set aside and the commission was awarded to Nobbs & Hyde of Montreal, but their winning scheme was never built.
REGINA, SASK., WW1 War Memorial Cenotaph, Victoria Park, 1926. E. Delay was one of 51 architects and artists who submitted a design in this national competition (Morning Leader [Regina], 9 Feb. 1926, 1, full list of competitors). The winner was Robert G. Heughan of Montreal.