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Arthur Griffin (architect)

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New Zealand architect (1883–1967)

Arthur Griffin
BornArthur Reynolds Griffin
(1883-09-26)26 September 1883
Nelson, New Zealand
Died16 July 1967(1967-07-16) (aged 83)
OccupationArchitect
Spouse Barbara Ellen Warnock ​ ​(m. 1908; died 1965)​
BuildingsHokitika Carnegie Library
Renton Hardware building

Arthur Reynolds Griffin (26 September 1883 – 16 July 1967) was a New Zealand architect based in Nelson during the first half of the 20th century. His notable works include the Hokitika Carnegie Library, the church steps in Nelson (also known as the Cawthron steps) (1913), and the Ritz Louis Kerr building (1930) in Nelson.

Biography

Griffin was born in Nelson on 26 September 1883, the son of John Hollis Griffin and Martha Louisa Griffin (née Biss). His grandfather, John Griffin, was the founder of biscuit manufacturer Griffin and Sons Limited. He was educated at Nelson College for one year, in 1898, winning the fourth-form drawing prize.

Griffin began his architectural career as a draughtsman with Robertson Brothers in Nelson for four years, and during the same period studied architecture through the International Correspondence School in Pennsylvania. He set up his own practice in Hardy Street, Nelson, in January 1906, after winning a competition for the design of the Hokitika Carnegie Library. In 1907, he won a second architectural competition, for the new central girls' school in Shelbourne Street, Nelson. Between 1908 and 1909, Griffin served as the Nelson Education Board's architect, but was dismissed after the board determined that he had claimed for fees additional to those to which he was entitled. However, during that short period he completed a number of new schools and extensions for the Education Board.

In 1908, Griffin married Barbara Ellen Warnock, and by 1909 they were living at 18 Ngatitama Street, Nelson. Griffin remained in practice until about 1960, but was semi-retired from the 1940s. He produced a diverse range of work, including many commercial buildings in central Nelson, churches, private residences, and significant buildings for Nelson Hospital. He died on 16 July 1967, and was buried at Marsden Valley Cemetery, Stoke. He had been predeceased by his wife in 1965.

Notable works

Notable buildings and structures designed by Griffin include:

Building Image Date Location Notes
Hokitika Carnegie Library 1907 17 Hamilton Street, Hokitika Granted Heritage New Zealand historic place category 2 status in 2003
Renton Hardware building 1908 21 Hamilton Street, Hokitika Granted Heritage New Zealand historic place category 2 status in 1989
Central girls' school 1908 27 Shelbourne Street, Nelson Construction cost £2500; demolished after 1996
Trafalgar Hotel 1908 175 Trafalgar Street, Nelson Demolished 1966
Westport Technical School 1909 Corner of Henley and Russell Streets, Westport Construction cost £1326; since demolished
Nelson Evening Mail building 1910 15 Bridge Street, Nelson Construction cost £2300
Nelson Institute building 1912 309 Hardy Street, Nelson Granted Heritage New Zealand historic place category 2 status in 1982
Trask memorial gates 1912 Queens Gardens, Hardy Street, Nelson Part of Queens Gardens, granted Heritage New Zealand historic place category 2 status as a whole in 2007
Nurses' home (Dalton House) 1916 Franklyn Street, Nelson Granted Heritage New Zealand historic place category 2 status in 1982; demolished 2013
Nelson church steps 1913 Pikimai / Church Hill, Nelson Granted Heritage New Zealand historic place category 1 status in 1982
Church of Blessed Peter Chanel 1917 31 High Street, Motueka Granted Heritage New Zealand historic place category 2 status in 1982
Church of the Sacred Heart 1918 94 Commercial Street, Tākaka Built from Tākaka marble; construction cost £1250
Trathen's building 1922 191 Trafalgar Street, Nelson Granted Heritage New Zealand historic place category 2 status in 1982; demolished 2016
Nelson Hospital 1926 Waimea Road, Nelson Construction cost £65,000; since demolished
Anchor Shipping and Foundry building 1927 258 Haven Road, Nelson Granted Heritage New Zealand historic place category 2 status in 1982
Dalgety and Company building 1929 284 Trafalgar Street, Nelson Granted Heritage New Zealand historic place category 2 status in 1982
Ritz Louis Kerr building 1930 243–245 Trafalgar Street, Nelson Granted Heritage New Zealand historic place category 2 status in 1982
Plunket and rest rooms 1936 324 Trafalgar Square, Nelson Granted Heritage New Zealand historic place category 2 status in 1990

Notes

  1. ^ Addison 2019, p. 18.
  2. ^ Katz 2020b.
  3. ^ Addison 2019, p. 20.
  4. ^ Addison 2019, p. 21.
  5. ^ Addison 2019, p. 19.
  6. Addison 2019, pp. 21–22.
  7. Department of Internal Affairs.
  8. Nelson City Council 2020a.
  9. Nelson City Council 2020b.
  10. Wilson 2004.
  11. Burgess 2015.
  12. Winstanley 2020.
  13. Nelson Photo News 1966.
  14. ^ Addison 2019, p. 22.
  15. Heritage New Zealand 2020a.
  16. O'Brien 2007.
  17. Nelson Evening Mail 1916.
  18. Beer 2012.
  19. Nelson Mail 2013.
  20. O'Brien 2003.
  21. Heritage New Zealand 2020c.
  22. New Zealand Tablet 1917.
  23. New Zealand Tablet 1918.
  24. Stade 2016.
  25. Leov 2016.
  26. Poverty Bay Herald 1926.
  27. Heritage New Zealand 2020d.
  28. Katz 2020a.
  29. Heritage New Zealand 2020b.

References

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