Architectural partnership

Date: 25 Feb 1999

From: `Back to the drawing board' - Hamilton architects oral history project

By: Care-Cottrell, Errol, 1919-2000; Downs, Jeff, active 1995

Reference: OHInt-0483-02

Description: Errol Care-Cottrell was born in Richmond in 1919. Recalls working for State Advances Corporation in Auckland in 1938 and doing part-time architectural study at Auckland University. Describes the outbreak of World War II and being in the infantry in the Middle East as a member of the 22nd Battalion in Egypt and Libya in 1941. Discusses being taken a prisoner of war (POW) by the Germans, spending time imprisoned in Benghazi and labouring as a POW in Italy, Germany and Czechoslovakia. Talks about his return to New Zealand, getting a rehabilitation bursary to finish his architectural study and working with Frank Anderson in Hamilton in the holidays. Describes qualifying as an architect and working for the Ministry of Works in Wellington, King, Cook and Dawson in Hamilton, and White, Leigh and de Lisle. Explains his decision to set up his own practice, the architectural registration system, getting his first job, the process of being architect for a house and working with a client. Discusses function and aesthetics in a building. Talks about having staff and taking a business partner, Jerome Pickering, in 1977. Discusses buildings he has worked on including service stations, banks, schools and offices. Comments on changes to Hamilton city, draugtsmen calling themselves architects, being the Bay of Plenty chair for the New Zealand Institute of Architects and working for the Historic Places Trust to save some buildings. Mentions marrying in 1950. Interviewer(s) - Jeff Downs Accompanying material - List of architectural projects completed; post-interview notes Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3093.

Date: 1 Mar, 12 Apr 1999 - 01 Mar 1999 - 12 Apr 1999

From: `Back to the drawing board' - Hamilton architects oral history project

By: Brinkworth, Julie, active 1999; de Lisle, Aubrey Frank, 1919-2004

Reference: OHInt-0483-03

Description: Describes how his father was a clergyman and the family lived in several places. Discusses working in the Public Trust Office and doing accounting exams while saving to go to the School of Architecture. Recalls his architectural study between 1939 and 1943. Comments on the small number of architectural students in 1939. Discusses their lecturers, particularly Vernon Brown, and students including his future wife Mary Hay. Recalls applying for a job with Christchurch architect Colin Lamb and his work on the Ovaltine factory. Discusses the process of architectural registration and the fee scale as bound by the New Zealand Institute of Architecture. Describes beginning work in Hamilton with Edgecumbe, White and Leigh. Mentions some of the firm's name changes and its split when it became Leigh, de Lisle and Fraser. Talks about Hamilton construction firms and architects Harold Edgecumbe, Harold White and George Leigh. Discusses draughting and other architectural processes. Talks about doing a lot of work for the Bank of New Zealand and the Hamilton City Council. Mentions buildings worked on including the AMP building, Winter Show Association, Waikato Motors, Hamilton Airport, University of Waikato buildings and the Founders Theatre. Discusses the Art Museum and its development from a small Post Office building. Comments on Hamilton when he arrived there in 1945, its haphazard development and resistance to town planning. Discusses restrictions on design. Comments on the ability of their architectural partnership to work as a team. Mentions doing some residential design work with his wife. Recalls being a member of the judging panel for the Christchurch Town Hall. Comments on an overseas trip, the impact of architectural work done by Belluski (Belushki) and links between American and New Zealand architecture. Talks about his own art, mainly water colours, and exhibitions with the Waikato Society of Arts and the New Zealand Academy. Mentions winning the Caltex Art Award. Interviewer(s) - Julie Brinkworth Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3094.

Date: 22 May 1999

From: `Back to the drawing board' - Hamilton architects oral history project

By: Mrkusic, Stephen Victor, 1928-2021; Kellaway, Laura Liane, 1965-

Reference: OHInt-0483-12

Description: 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.

Date: 4,5 Apr 1999 - 04 Apr 1999 - 05 Apr 1999

From: `Back to the drawing board' - Hamilton architects oral history project

By: Sayers, David Alan, 1931-2012; Corcoran, Fiona, active 1999

Reference: OHInt-0483-15

Description: David Sayers was born in Surrey, England in 1931. Describes how his father was an interior designer and his mother was a draughtswoman. Mentions the encouragement of his art teacher and sponsorship to the Architectural Association School of Architecture. Talks about visiting lecturers including Frank Lloyd Wright. Discusses working for a New Zealand architect in England, Reg Uren, his influence and suggestion that David Sayers work in New Zealand. Mentions his marriage in 1953. Mentions that Reg Uren later returned to live in New Zealand. Describes coming to New Zealand and being met in Wellington by Public Works Department architects Jack Wight and Frank Turner. Mentions Jock Beere and Gordon Wilson. Recalls the `Tomato House', a `temporary' World War I building still used by the Ministry of Works in the 1960s. Describes living at Rongotai until the construction of the airport. Talks about going to Hamilton to work for Frank Gillman, previously in business with his father E.E. Gillman, and then in partnership with Doug Angus and Paul Marks. Describes the growth of the firm, as the result of work on the Tauranga Hospital and for the Waikato Hospital Board, which became Gillman, Garry, Clapp and Sayers on amalgamation with Peter (Ian) Garry and Rex Clapp. Mentions work for the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company. Comments on the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) fixed fee structure. Mentions his role in developing a computerised coding system for contract documentation. Discusses the impact of the university on the town of Hamilton and a seminar on the development of the city. Talks about work in Rarotonga in projects funded by New Zealand aid and in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Solomon Islands. Describes a request by WHO to assist on a book on the planning of district hospitals. Mentions that the firm opened a branch in Palmerston North and later in Auckland as a result of extensive hospital work in both areas. Describes also working for Nelson, Wairau and Northland Hospital Boards. Comments on working for the Department of Health and hospital boards. Discusses current health service provision in New Zealand. Mentions work for the Waikato Polytechnic and on buildings for the kiwifruit industry. Describes going to London and hiring six architects. Comments on change in the firm as the result of rapid growth and not wanting to do management work. Mentions that there were fourteen partners in the firm which became Gillman Partners. Describes how they bought a dairy farm at Katikati. Recalls the work of Kelvin Prince who did sun frame printing for the firm. Describes retirement between 1982 and 1984 and the amalgamation of Gillman Partners with Worleys. Discusses his involvement in the kiwifruit industry and the production of organic kiwifruit under the Biogro label. Describes the decision by the Kiwifruit Authority to ban the export of organic kiwifruit, fighting this decision and the costs involved. Describes selling the orchard to DFC and his disillusionment with the planning process. Comments on planning in terms of architecture. Describes working on his family property and writing novels and poetry. Interviewer(s) - Fiona Corcoran Quantity: 5 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 5 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3106.

Date: 3 Mar 1999 - 03 Mar 1999

From: `Back to the drawing board' - Hamilton architects oral history project

By: Smith, Christopher John Rodney, 1933-; Mardon, Heidi, active 1999

Reference: OHInt-0483-16

Description: 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.

Date: 1982

From: Wilson, Derek John, 1922-: Papers relating to his architectural practice

Reference: MS-Papers-9249-3

Description: This research report presents an overview of the Wellington architectural partnership of king and Dawson since its establishment in 1906. It concentrates on a 75 year period from 1906 to 1981, and an evaluation of the contribution that King and Dawson made to the architecture of New Zealand, and more especially, Wellington. Submitted in partial fulfilment of the Bachelor of Architecture degree, Victoria University of Wellington Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Typsecript (photocopy)

Date: 23 Nov, 10 Dec 1998 - 23 Nov 1998 - 10 Dec 1998

From: `Back to the drawing board' - Hamilton architects oral history project

By: Griffiths, John Alexander, 1930-; Corcoran, Fiona, active 1999

Reference: OHInt-0483-07

Description: John Griffiths was born in Martinborough in 1930. Describes working for architect Doug Angus in Hamilton from 1958 and finishing his architectural qualification over a period of time while his family was young. Mentions that Tom Flood and he became partners in the firm with Doug Angus. Discusses the requirements for architectural registration and qualification. Mentions Dick Mercer and Bernie Gleeson. Talks about John Fitzgerald who ran the firm's Autoprint business and was also a cartoonist. Discusses a conman known as `Robert Sterling McMonies' and a land transaction scam. Describes a campaign to save trees at the Ferrybank park reserve, the active involvement of some architects' wives and his firm's indirect involvement. Mentions Mayor Dr Denis Rogers, Ross Jensen, John Mashland and Mike Minogue. Notes the absence of Council work after this campaign. Discusses work done for the Catholic Church, hotels and clubs and the Ngaruawahia Cultural Centre. Describes how this job led to other marae work and flood protection work for the Waahi marae in connection with the Huntly power station. Mentions work on the Ritchie, Evans and Cornille houses. Discusses work for Woolworths, the Auckland townhouses worked on by Doug Angus, the National Mutual Building, the Riverbank Development Committee and the Riverbank Mall. Talks about the use of offsite, precast, prestressed concrete and an Institute of Engineers award for the National Mutual Building. Discusses being the partner who ran the practice on a day to day basis. Mentions Doug Angus' Auckland base and Tom Flood often being overseas. Talks about staff management, administering contracts and dealing with local body authorities and regulations. Mentions the advantage of having Tom Flood as an engineering partner. Discusses the importance of research, planning and simplicity in design. Discusses work on the German Embassy in Wellington and the Rowing Club at Karapiro. Interviewer(s) - Fiona Corcoran Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3098.

Date: 27 May, 23 Jul 1999 - 27 May 1999 - 23 Jul 1999

From: `Back to the drawing board' - Hamilton architects oral history project

By: Mercer, Adam Garrard, 1964-; Mercer, Rosemary Haldane, 1935-

Reference: OHInt-0483-11

Description: Rosemary and Adam Mercer discuss the architectural firm Mercer and Mercer which was originally operated by Dick Mercer and has been operated by Adam Mercer since the death of his father. Adam Mercer discusses his father's enthusiasm for architecture. Discusses his use of concrete block. Describes his parent's move to Hamilton in the 1950s and his father's desire to build a well designed home in an ordinary subdivision. Comments that his father enjoyed working with people in the practice of architecture. Adam Mercer discusses classes, lecturers, modernism and post-modernism while attending the School of Architecture in Auckland from 1981 to 1986. Comments on the absence of public debate about planning and buildings and the effect of this. Discusses climate and architecture. Comments on the architecture of Wellington and Auckland. Talks about architectural tools, the draughting board and CAD programmes. Describes doing residential, retail, industrial and landscape architecture. Talks about working with his father for five years before his father's death. Discusses his own interest in passive solar design. Rosemary Mercer discusses the employment of young architectural graduates by Dick Mercer. Gives some details of Dick Mercer's background. Mentions that the family firm J. Mercer and Sons were in stainless steel production. Recalls meeting Dick Mercer at Auckland University while they were both studying there in the 1950s. Talks about Dick Mercer's partnership in Mercer Brown Associates and with Barry Rae. Comments on the advantages and disadvantages of working in partnerships. Describes how he formed his own practice. Describes work he did for Mercer Stainless Steel, councils, post offices and the Church of the Latter Day Saints. Interviewer(s) - Fiona Corcoran Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3102.