The origins of Number TEN
In 1959, Allan Hanna and Doug Gillmor joined Morley Blankstein and Issie Coop in an architectural  partnership.  Later, in 1964 they were joined by Al Waisman and Jack Ross to create Waisman Ross Blankstein Coop Gillmor Hanna Architects/Engineers, located at 10 Donald Street. The purpose of the amalgamation was to integrate the strengths of the two firms. The unique characteristic of this practice was that the partners had strong design backgrounds and during the early years particularly, each project was designed and managed by a partner in a very hands-on way. In 1969, the firm was officially registered as Number TEN Architectural Group.

The early Partners of Number TEN had very deep roots in the architectural profession and in Winnipeg’s community.

Morley Blankstein received his M.Arch from the Illinois Institute of Technology and studied under Mies van der Roche and Ludwig Hilberseimer, College of Fellows. He was a life member of the MAA. His body of work can be characterized by an impeccable attention to detail and includes some of Manitoba’s finest examples of Architecture in the international and Miesian styles. He was a member of the Manitoba Association of Architects, Ontario Association of Architects and a Chartered Architect in the Republic of Zambia. He served as an Academician for the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, was an Honorary Life Member of the Community Planning Association of Canada; and also a Member of the Canadian Housing Design Council. He was elected to the College of Fellows for the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 1966.

Blankstein’s passion for the arts and the community was shown by his affiliation with various boards including the Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg Jewish Community Council, the YMHA Community Centre and Age and Opportunity Centre.

Douglas Gillmore received his MA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and studies with Eero Saarinen and Buckminster Fuller. He was also the Founding Director of the Architecture Program, University of Calgary, 1971.

Allan Waisman was later the founding Partner of Waisman, Dewar, Grout, and Carter, Vancouver, renamed Architectura in Vancouver in 1995. He was a major philanthropist and previous member of many arts Boards.

Isadore Coop (known as Issie) received his Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Manitoba in 1948 and also studied at the renowned Illinois Institute of Technology under Mies van der Rohe where he received his Degree of Master of Science in Architecture in 1953. His major accomplishments include the Winnipeg Convention Centre, the Winnipeg Art Gallery in association with Gus da Rosa, the Royal Trust Tower, Rupertsland Square Office Complex, the Canadian Embassy in Pakistan, and seven major building projects at the University of Manitoba.

As a member of the Manitoba Association of Architects, Ontario Association of Architects, and Chartered Architect in the Republic of Zambia, Issie was deeply involved in the profession.  He served as President of the Manitoba Association of Architects in 1963, Member of the Building Commission for the City of Winnipeg, Member of the Standing Committee for Use and Occupancy the National Building Code, Member of the Part 3 Committee for the Manitoba Building Code, and served on the Board of Directors for the RAIC Foundation.  He was elected to the College of Fellows for the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 1964.

Issie also served on the Boards of the Winnipeg Chamber Orchestra and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. In the latter part of his professional career, Issie Coop led the North Portage Development Corporation resulting in the major upgrading of Winnipeg’s premiere downtown thoroughfare.

Alan Hanna furthered his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning a Masters in Architecture in 1956. Two of the notable practitioner/lecturers who worked with that class were Eero Saarinen and Louis Kahn. During the 1970’s, and early 80’s, Mr Hanna looked after all of the firm’s work in the North.  The largest major project was the redevelopment of the townsite of Churchill, Manitoba, which included a Town Centre building comprised of a 50 bed general hospital, high school, arena, curling rink, bowling alley, and library; and housing for the renewed townsite. 

Following this project, the firm was engaged by the Government of the Northwest Territories to design and produce schools in a number of Arctic communities, including Eskimo Point, Coral Harbor, Clyde River, and Fort Resolution; and manage the housing program of the NWT Housing Corporation.  The success of all of this work depended on the development of construction technology informed by the severe climate, remote locations, and unusual foundation conditions.  Mr. Hanna combined his love for Architecture and flying, by piloting his own aircraft to transport the consultants, firm staff, and in many cases the client to these remote locations.

Alan Hanna’s son, Doug Hanna is a current Partner at Number TEN and carries on the tradition of northern and remote schools. In recent years, Number TEN has designed schools in Arviat, Whale Cove, Nunavut; and throughout Manitoba in Easterville, St. Theresa Point, God’s Lake, Cross Lake, Norway House, Churchill, Flin Flon, Lynn Lake and The Pas. Doug also continues to design schools in Winnipeg including the West Kildonan Collegiate.

Mr Alan Hanna served on the council of the Manitoba Association of Architects, and as President in 1969, and on the council of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 1969-70.  His commitment to the Winnipeg community included serving on the Board and as President of the Boards of the following institutions:  Neighborhood Service Centres of Greater Winnipeg, Winnipeg Childrens Aid Society, and the University of Winnipeg.  Mr Hanna was recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Winnipeg in 1989.

The early Partners signature buildings in Manitoba include: The International Peace Gardens, the Nurses Residence at the Misericordia Health Centre, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, the IBM building, Kildonan Park Pavilion, Manitoba Theatre Centre, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Grant Park Shopping centre, Cityplace, Provincial Law Courts Building, The Royal Canadian Mint, and the Winnipeg Public Safety Building.

Number TEN has also made a significant contribution to the early buildings at the University of Manitoba including: The Fletcher Building, University Centre, Crop Research Centre, Dairy Research Centre, Isbister Building, Pharmacy Building, St. Paul’s College, Women’s Residence, and the Athletic and Swimming Pool building.

The firm’s award winning buildings include Massey Medals for Architecture for Britannia House Office Building (1964), the Thompson Municipal Building (1961), the Crop Research Centre, University of Manitoba (1961), Winnipeg School Division Number One, office building (1961).