Larnach Castle
Scottish-born architect Robert Lawson died on 3 December 1902 after a notable career designing iconic buildings in New Zealand’s South Island. Lawson was one of New Zealand's pre-eminent 19th century architects and it has been said he did more than any other designer to shape the face of the Victorian era architecture of the city of Dunedin. He was the architect of over forty churches, including Dunedin's First Church and Knox Church, and also other buildings including Otago Boys High School, the Dunedin Municipal Chambers, and Larnach Castle. From 1874 he designed the highly elaborate Seacliff Lunatic Asylum, New Zealand’s largest building at the time. However significant structural issues resulted in a partial collapse in 1887, after which Lawson’s professional reputation was destroyed and he migrated to Australia. In 1900, shortly before his death, he returned to New Zealand to re-establish his name, but his sudden death prevented a full rehabilitation of his reputation. The great plaudits denied him in his lifetime were not to come until nearly a century after his death, when the glories of Victorian architecture began again to be recognised and appreciated.
This image from 1975 is of Larnach Castle, one of Dunedin’s most famous buildings. Built in 1871 for William Larnach, a local businessman and politician, the mansion sits on the ridge of the Otago Peninsula near the settlement of Pukehiki. The Castle is now privately owned by the Barker Family, and operates as a tourism destination. This photograph was taken by M Berthold for the National Publicity Studios, which provided advice to government departments and state agencies on the provision of photographic, art, and display services and in particular to assist in the production of publicity material aimed at conveying a favourable image of New Zealand.
Archives reference: AAQT 6539 W3537 151 / B7258
collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search#/?q=24810438
For updates on our On This Day series and news from Archives New Zealand, follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ArchivesNZ
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Larnach Castle
Scottish-born architect Robert Lawson died on 3 December 1902 after a notable career designing iconic buildings in New Zealand’s South Island. Lawson was one of New Zealand's pre-eminent 19th century architects and it has been said he did more than any other designer to shape the face of the Victorian era architecture of the city of Dunedin. He was the architect of over forty churches, including Dunedin's First Church and Knox Church, and also other buildings including Otago Boys High School, the Dunedin Municipal Chambers, and Larnach Castle. From 1874 he designed the highly elaborate Seacliff Lunatic Asylum, New Zealand’s largest building at the time. However significant structural issues resulted in a partial collapse in 1887, after which Lawson’s professional reputation was destroyed and he migrated to Australia. In 1900, shortly before his death, he returned to New Zealand to re-establish his name, but his sudden death prevented a full rehabilitation of his reputation. The great plaudits denied him in his lifetime were not to come until nearly a century after his death, when the glories of Victorian architecture began again to be recognised and appreciated.
This image from 1975 is of Larnach Castle, one of Dunedin’s most famous buildings. Built in 1871 for William Larnach, a local businessman and politician, the mansion sits on the ridge of the Otago Peninsula near the settlement of Pukehiki. The Castle is now privately owned by the Barker Family, and operates as a tourism destination. This photograph was taken by M Berthold for the National Publicity Studios, which provided advice to government departments and state agencies on the provision of photographic, art, and display services and in particular to assist in the production of publicity material aimed at conveying a favourable image of New Zealand.
Archives reference: AAQT 6539 W3537 151 / B7258
collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search#/?q=24810438
For updates on our On This Day series and news from Archives New Zealand, follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ArchivesNZ
Material from Archives New Zealand