Interview with Stephen Mrkusic

Steve Mrkusic was born at Aratapu, near Dargaville in 1928. Describes growing up with his mother and two siblings at Oratia in West Auckland. Recalls his schooling, the end of the war and working on a farm before travelling to Yugoslavia and spending two years there. Describes studying architecture at Zagreb University and life in Yugoslavia at the time under a dictator. Mentions food rationing and difficulty leaving the country.

Discusses enrolling at Auckland University to finish studying architecture part-time and working for the Auckland Education Board and Auckland Harbour Board. Mentions working for Sargent, Smith and Partners. Describes becoming Project Architect and then Chief Architect for the South Auckland Education Board. Discusses the effects of the post World War II baby boom on school buildings and the pressure to build schools in the 1950s and 1960s. Comments that his job was more administrative than architectural. Describes court cases as the result of builders going bankrupt and the involvement of the Department of Education. Recalls responsibility for forty six staff in Hamilton and Auckland. Comments that architectural work for schools is now done with Boards of Trustees as clients rather than the Department of Education as a result of educational reform. Discusses a concept plan for Rakumanga, Kura Kaupapa school in Huntly and the widespread public consultation.

Talks about going into practice with Warwick Kellaway, Victor Procuta, John Sexton and Paul Trenwith as Five Plus One architects after his redundancy in 1989. Comments on enjoying design and private practice. Discusses the architecture of early Hamilton and the failure to use the river as a feature. Describes being on the Civic Trust, arguments about cutting down trees and the proactivity of some of the architects' wives. Mentions his wife Kerry Mrkusic. Describes a lifestyle change which involves growing olives and lemons at Karaka near Auckland. Mentions his Dalmatian heritage.

Interviewer(s) - Laura Kellaway

Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3103.

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copy OHLC-004854