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Online Heritage Inventory

Britannia Shipyard - Murakami Residence

General Information
Thumbnail photograph of Britannia Shipyard - Murakami Residence
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Type of Resource: Building
Common Name: Phoenix House #40
Address: 12451 Trites Road
Neighbourhood (Planning Area Name): Steveston
Construction Date: 1885
Current Owner: Municipal Government
Designated: Yes

Statement of Significance
Description of Site
The Murakami Residence is included in the Britannia Shipyard site located on the foreshore of Steveston Channel. The Residence is part of a grouping of structures on this site, and is a very simple, rectangular structure with a post frame and a gable roof. It is sited with the gable end towards the site’s boardwalk, and is adjacent to the Murakami boatworks.

 Statement of Values
The heritage significance of the Murakami Boatworks lies in its historical connection to the development of the boatbuilding industry, and to the role played by Japanese immigrants in the history of the boatbuilding, canning, and fishing industries in Richmond, as well as in the evolution of Steveston. In the late 1800’s, many fishermen were Japanese who had come to Steveston in search of work.
The building is also significant in its use as a residence for Japanese-Canadian boatbuilders next door to the boatworks operated by the same family. The simple structural style and design of the building reflect its use as a cannery residence. The re-created garden has significance in its association with the Murakami family, and with the pattern of domestic gardens planted by Japanese families in this time period.

 Character Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the site include:
· The location of the boatworks as part of the Britannia Shipyard cluster of structures around and along the historic boardwalk
· Design elements of the Residence including a rectangular plan with a post frame, the cladding of horizontal shiplap and board and batten siding, the central door flanked by two windows in the south gable end, and the multi-paned wooden sash windows
· The fruit, flower and vegetable garden adjacent to the building.

 History
The Murakami Residence is included in the Britannia Shipyard site located on the foreshore of Steveston Channel. The Residence is part of a grouping of structures on this site, and is a very simple, rectangular structure with a post frame and a gable roof. It is sited with the gable end towards the site’s boardwalk, and is adjacent to the Murakami boatworks.

 Architectural Significance
Architectural Style
Working Industrial

 Building Type
Domestic

 Design Features
The Residence building is rectangular in plan with a post frame. It has a gable roof covered with sheet metal over shingles. It is clad in horizontal shiplap siding, with both board and batten and horizontal shiplap siding on the front, with a central door flanked by two windows in the south gable end. There are four windows on each side of the building. All of the side windows are multi-paned wooden single sash; the front windows are double hung. A shed roof structure has been constructed adjacent to the Residence on the east side to house visitor centre functions.

 Construction Method
Wood frame construction.

 Landscape Significance
Landscape Element
Cultural landscape/Natural Environment

 Design Attributes
The Britannia site was originally part of the Fraser River marsh estuary, and has gone through extensive cultural modifications over the life of the Britannia Cannery and Shipyard. The site is an example of an evolved cultural landscape shaped through use by activity or occupancy, in this case, the fishing and boatbuilding industries. Natural landscape components include marshes, fish habitat areas, and areas with natural shrubs and mature trees. The buildings and the boardwalk were originally constructed on piles above the marsh. The boardwalk served as the ‘main street’ for the Steveston riverfront. Much of the site today sits on land reclaimed through dredging operations in the 1950’s and ‘60’s, and there is evidence that a slough once cut through the site. The Murakami Residence site has had a vegetable and flower garden, with fruit trees, planted adjacent to the building. This garden has been recreated from the memories of the Murakami family in honour of Asayo Murakami, and represents the type of domestic garden that the Japanese families would have planted outside their residences. Yellow iris left in pots in the adjacent marsh at the time of internment still bloom today.

 Integrity
Alterations
The Murakami Residence building has been reconstructed on a new slab foundation in its original footprint as part of the development of the Britannia site. The interior has been adapted for use as a Visitor Information Centre

 Original Location
Yes

 Condition
The building is in excellent condition.

 Lost
No

 Documentation
Evaluated By
Denise Cook BLA, PBD (Public History)

 Date
Friday, November 3, 2000

 Documentation
Inventory Sheets by Foundation Group Designs, January 1990
“Heritage Inventory Phase II” by Foundation Group Designs May 1989
“Britannia Heritage Shipyard Park Concept Plan” Christopher Phillips and Associates 1992
Marilyn Clayton, personal communication, November 2000
Britannia Heritage Shipyard documents (various dates)

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