to be permanently acknowledged in the form of an annual architectural prize.

The late Wilfred Onions, whose unique architectural designs came to personify the spirit of old Bermuda, will be commemorated by the inauguration of the Wilfred R. Onions Memorial Prize at McGill University's School of Architecture in Montreal.

During his visit to Bermuda last month, McGill Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Mr. David Johnston was presented with two Onions perspective sketches and a memorial plaque which will be placed on permanent display at the university.

Mr. Johnston says that each year, the prize-winning sketch will be hung alongside, eventually producing a collection of student work inspired by Wilfred (Wil) Onions' example.

In recognition of the special link between the Bermudian architect and McGill University, copies of the sketches are also to be displayed in City Hall -- an appropriate location, since his design for this structure became the crowning achievement of Wil Onions' career. They will be placed, together with another plaque, commemorating the founding of the annual prize at the university, on the upper level of City Hall.

Family, friends and graduates of McGill are contributing to a Trust Fund, established to endow the annual award.

Mr. B.W. (Jordy) Walker, nephew of the late Wil Onions and managing partner of the architectural firm Onions, Bouchard and McCulloch, says that so far, $6,600 has been received in money and pledges towards of the target of $10,000 required to set up the award which will carry an annual cash prize of $200.

Students at the McGill School of Architecture have to attend a two-week sketching camp at the beginning of the second, third and fourth years of their five-year course, says Mr. Walker. "They have to spend this time learning how to draw nature -- not architecture. They go off into the woods and sketch the trees and streams, etc. Some of them are very impressionistic, some are very realistic, but it is the best portfolio of work from that sketching camp that will be chosen for the prize.'' This rather unusual criterion is probably one that would have won Wil Onions' approval. When he graduated from McGill in 1932, he also won the McLennan Travelling Scholarship, enabling him to spend nine months travelling in Europe. The retrospective exhibition of his work, held last year at City Hall, contained many sketches that captured the essence of the natural, as well as the architectural wonders he encountered on that tour.

It was on his return to Bermuda that Wil Onions began his intensive study of traditional Bermudian structures that had endured since the 17th century. His interpretation of these old (and tested) features, such as integrally supporting chimneys, low-hanging eaves, and butteries, revived appreciation of the Island's only indigenous art form. His "Bermuda cottages'' which proliferated all over the Island after World War II, earned him enduring fame as the architect who, more than any other, had understood the importance of preserving Bermuda's distinct, and very practical charm.

THE ONIONS TOUCH -- Architectural sketches showing front and back views of a Tuckers Town residence designed by the late Mr. Wilfred Onions. The sketches are to be place on permanent display at McGill University with copies in City Hall.