Interview with Rod Smith

Rod Smith was born in Lancashire in 1933. Talks about his father being an architect, the family emigrating and arriving in Hamilton in 1946 where his father became architect to the Waikato Hospital Board. Describes going to Hamilton High School and Otago University, doing compulsory military training, deciding to become an architect and qualifying. Describes working for the Waikato Hospital Board then going into practice with Henry Clark. Mentions that Kelvin Grant joined their practice, Henry Clark dropped out and they became Smith, Grant and Associates. Discusses his preference for Scandanavian design. Talks about work for the Hospital Board, University of Waikato and some house designs. Mentions winning design awards.

Describes less business in the early 1980s and becoming senior architect for Warren and Mahoney in Christchurch. Recalls working there for two years before returning to Hamilton, setting up a deer farm and gradually returning to architecture in his own firm Rod Smith Architects. Describes doing mainly domestic architecture and some work on pensioner housing and flats.

Discusses his other activities including three trips to Antarctica. Mentions that two of the trips were to assess Scott's huts and make repairs. Describes flying helicopters and playing in a string quartet as other interests. Comments on architectural changes during his working life and discusses his philosophy on architecture. Gives his opinion on the characteristic New Zealand style of architecture. Discusses the Centreplace shopping complex, the Founders Theatre and inspirational international architects. Mentions running a home stay and planning a design for another home possibly using rammed earth.

Interviewer(s) - Heidi Mardon

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3107.

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