William Armson
Encyclopedia
William Barnett Armson (1832/3 – 25 February 1883) was an architect
, surveyor, engineer in colonial New Zealand. A co-founder of the Canterbury Association of Architects, and an architect to the provincial government, he established the architectural firm of Armson, Collins and Harman
in 1870, which remained active until 1993. It was one of the two oldest architectural firms in New Zealand. His most important work was the Bank of New Zealand
building in Dunedin
.
style. The banks and offices designs were notable for their "scholarly treatment" and severely correct form, providing excellent examples of Palladian School
architecture.
In 1861, Armson developed an abstract for an advertising invention: "Application to street hoards of transparent sheets or panes for 'illuminated advertisements'. The invention consists of the whole or any portion of any enclosure made for the purpose of a hoard in any streets or roads during the erection of any building, or for any other purpose whatsoever, with panes or sheets of glass, or any other transparent substance, for the purpose of advertising on them by means of printing, writing, or any manner whatsoever; and also of illuminating such sheets or panes at any times by day or night by means of any kind of lamp or light whatsoever." No drawings were included with the abstract, and the patent was not granted.
Armson was a partner in the Oamaru
firm of Thornley and Armson with Nathan Thornley. Their practice was as architects, civil engineers, surveyors, and land and estate agents. After the firm dissolved in 1865, Armston moved his office to No. 5, Oamaru House Chambers, Thames Street.
In Christchurch, the Cranmer Centre
on Cranmer Square (then the home of Christchurch Girls' High School
) and Fisher's Building on Hereford Street, both designed by Armson, were built in 1881. Another example includes the first Christchurch
Boys' High School, which opened in 1881. The Excelsior Hotel
building, designed by Armson and established in 1881, is a classified historic building. St Church of St. Mary in Timaru
was designed by Armson. The Armson Building (also known as the John Anderson Building and later as the Guthrey Centre
), designed by Armson, was also built in 1881. A Category I heritage building registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust
, it was demolished subsequent to damage from the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Harald's Building on Lichfield Street was his design and was completed in 1881. The Venetian Gothic style Library Chambers building was designed by Armson in 1875.
He received a commission to design a new building for the club in 1872, but other assignments and ill health caused him to withdraw. Designed in 1879, his most important work was Dunedin's Bank of New Zealand building. Armson was a foundation member of the Canterbury Club.
houses many of his original drawings.
One hundred years after his death, the Christchurch Art Gallery held an exhibition of his original drawings and plans. An article in Art New Zealand, "Lost and Found: The Architecture of WB. Armson" was also published in 1983 to commemorate his work.
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, surveyor, engineer in colonial New Zealand. A co-founder of the Canterbury Association of Architects, and an architect to the provincial government, he established the architectural firm of Armson, Collins and Harman
Armson, Collins and Harman
Armson, Collins and Harman was an architectural firm in New Zealand. It was founded by William Barnett Armson , and after his death, became the practice of two of architects who articled with him, John James Collins and Richard Dacre Harman .-History:Armson, Collins and Harman was one of the two...
in 1870, which remained active until 1993. It was one of the two oldest architectural firms in New Zealand. His most important work was the Bank of New Zealand
Bank of New Zealand
Bank of New Zealand is one of New Zealand’s largest banks and has been operating continuously in the country since the first office was opened in Auckland in October 1861 followed shortly after by the first branch in Dunedin in December 1861...
building in Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
.
Early years
Armson was born in London, England. His father, Francis William Armson, was a surveyor, builder, and later an architect. His mother was Jane Barnett. Armson trained in Melbourne.Career
Armson designed many buildings in New Zealand including banks, churches, houses, offices, schools, and shops. His commercial buildings were based on a Renaissance architecturalRenaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries in different regions of Europe, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought and material culture. Stylistically, Renaissance...
style. The banks and offices designs were notable for their "scholarly treatment" and severely correct form, providing excellent examples of Palladian School
Andrea Palladio
Andrea Palladio was an architect active in the Republic of Venice. Palladio, influenced by Roman and Greek architecture, primarily by Vitruvius, is widely considered the most influential individual in the history of Western architecture...
architecture.
In 1861, Armson developed an abstract for an advertising invention: "Application to street hoards of transparent sheets or panes for 'illuminated advertisements'. The invention consists of the whole or any portion of any enclosure made for the purpose of a hoard in any streets or roads during the erection of any building, or for any other purpose whatsoever, with panes or sheets of glass, or any other transparent substance, for the purpose of advertising on them by means of printing, writing, or any manner whatsoever; and also of illuminating such sheets or panes at any times by day or night by means of any kind of lamp or light whatsoever." No drawings were included with the abstract, and the patent was not granted.
Armson was a partner in the Oamaru
Oamaru
Oamaru , the largest town in North Otago, in the South Island of New Zealand, is the main town in the Waitaki District. It is 80 kilometres south of Timaru and 120 kilometres north of Dunedin, on the Pacific coast, and State Highway 1 and the railway Main South Line connects it to both...
firm of Thornley and Armson with Nathan Thornley. Their practice was as architects, civil engineers, surveyors, and land and estate agents. After the firm dissolved in 1865, Armston moved his office to No. 5, Oamaru House Chambers, Thames Street.
In Christchurch, the Cranmer Centre
Cranmer Centre
The Cranmer Centre was a historic building in Christchurch, New Zealand. Its original use, until 1986, was as the Christchurch Girls' High School, the second high school for girls in the country...
on Cranmer Square (then the home of Christchurch Girls' High School
Christchurch Girls' High School
Christchurch Girls' High School in Christchurch, New Zealand, was established in 1877 and is the second oldest girls' secondary school in the country . Christchurch Girls' High School was established before Christchurch Boys' High School . The first headmistress was Mrs...
) and Fisher's Building on Hereford Street, both designed by Armson, were built in 1881. Another example includes the first Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
Boys' High School, which opened in 1881. The Excelsior Hotel
Excelsior Hotel, Christchurch
The Excelsior Hotel in 120 Manchester Street, Christchurch, originally the Borough Hotel, in recent years known as Excelsior Backpackers or New Excelsior Backpackers, was a Category I heritage building in central Christchurch. It was designed by then most prominent architect, William Armson, and...
building, designed by Armson and established in 1881, is a classified historic building. St Church of St. Mary in Timaru
Timaru
TimaruUrban AreaPopulation:27,200Extent:Former Timaru City CouncilTerritorial AuthorityName:Timaru District CouncilPopulation:42,867 Land area:2,736.54 km² Mayor:Janie AnnearWebsite:...
was designed by Armson. The Armson Building (also known as the John Anderson Building and later as the Guthrey Centre
Guthrey Centre
The Guthrey Centre at 126 Cashel Street, Christchurch Central City, originally the offices of Andersons Foundry and later 'Andersons Ltd, was a Category I heritage building registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust...
), designed by Armson, was also built in 1881. A Category I heritage building registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust is a non-profit trust that advocates for the protection of ancestral sites and heritage buildings in New Zealand...
, it was demolished subsequent to damage from the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Harald's Building on Lichfield Street was his design and was completed in 1881. The Venetian Gothic style Library Chambers building was designed by Armson in 1875.
He received a commission to design a new building for the club in 1872, but other assignments and ill health caused him to withdraw. Designed in 1879, his most important work was Dunedin's Bank of New Zealand building. Armson was a foundation member of the Canterbury Club.
Later years
Armson died on 25 February 1883 in Christchurch. He was buried at Barbadoes Street Cemetery. The Macmillan Brown Library at the University of CanterburyUniversity of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
houses many of his original drawings.
One hundred years after his death, the Christchurch Art Gallery held an exhibition of his original drawings and plans. An article in Art New Zealand, "Lost and Found: The Architecture of WB. Armson" was also published in 1983 to commemorate his work.