In the story of Jan. 12, 2011 about foam houses and an appeal for input by people with more knowledge, we struck gold.
Phil Demers called to say he had worked for George Ferguson (a United Church minister previously), Chew Holdings and Kori Resources, helping to build a Foam Dome house in Chew Duck Sing’s subdivision, on Sing or Wong Road, in 1971.
Marion Watson, phoned to say she had pictures and that the Quesnel Cariboo Observer had stories on the Foam Dome, Sept. 1, 1971, Sept. 8, 1971; and Dec. 29, 1971 with a final column on Feb. 14, 1973.
It was the first and biggest foam house west of Toronto, being the third such in Canada and fifth in North America.
A Vancouver firm built it with the use of huge balloons and polyurethane rigid foam. See Observer Sept. 1, 1971 for more details.)
The picture shows the finished house with coloured skylights.
The architect Bowman said public acceptance “was slow, primarily because of it’s odd shape.”
Phil Demers reported the interior was very humid.
There were sales and contractor payroll problems so it was for sale in 1973 for $17,500.
Polyurethane presented
problems as an insulation in later house buildings and was condemned.
The Quesnel Museum has digitized the Quesnel Cariboo Observer over most years, a fact which allows easy access to its pages online.
Unknown until the original story, this shows what a wealth of interesting items are found in the archives and in our citizens’ knowledge.
Thank you Phil, Marion
and museum staff, Leslie and Elizabeth.
It’s a good thing someone keeps me honest.
Andy Motherwell is an amateur historian and regular Observer columnist.