Anthony Treadwell
Encyclopedia
Anthony "Tony" Treadwell (1922–15 September 2003) was an early member of the Wellington Architectural Centre
and an accomplished modernist architect
, architectural educator and painter. His architectural work has been published in numerous articles in New Zealand Home and Building, the Arts Year Book, the Journal of the N.Z.I.A.
and the Wellington Architectural Centre's Design Review.
in the Air Force
before working in the Architectural Division of the Ministry of Works, and private practice. His designwork included factories, office buildings, flats, houses and churches, with examples of his domestic architecture including the Etherton House in Miramar
, the Atkins House in Upper Hutt
and the Blumhart House of 1957. In 1953 he described the Aitkens house in terms which find resonance with contemporary ambitions for domestic living:
In the late 1950s he become a partner in Treadwell and Wild. The 1958 Hazelcourt Flats in Claremont Grove is an example of their work from this period. Another of Treadwell's successful collaborations was the Willeston Galleries in Manners St with H. H. Geddes. He chaired a SANZ committee on drawing office standards and was actively involved revising the syllabus for architecture drafting courses for the Technicians Certification Authority of New Zealand. More recently he and his daughter Sarah recreated his mural in the Takapuna "Experimental House" by Group Construction for the 1950s show at Auckland City Art Gallery in 1992.
(as a Senior Lecturer 1978-1987), and he was actively involved in the Architectural Centre' summer schools. In an article discussing the redesign of Te Aro project, Treadwell described the Architectural Centre as:
Wellington Architectural Centre
The Architectural Centre Inc is a nonprofit organization in Wellington, New Zealand for architects and laypeople which offers lectures, site visits, tours and exhibitions.It is a co-organiser of Wellington Architecture Week.-History of the Centre:...
and an accomplished modernist architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, architectural educator and painter. His architectural work has been published in numerous articles in New Zealand Home and Building, the Arts Year Book, the Journal of the N.Z.I.A.
New Zealand Institute of Architects
The New Zealand Institute of Architects is a membership based professional organisation. This body represents 90% of all registered architects in New Zealand and promotes architecture that enhances the New Zealand living environment....
and the Wellington Architectural Centre's Design Review.
Early career
Treadwell was born in 1922. His architectural career began as a draughtsmanTechnical drawing
Technical drawing, also known as drafting or draughting, is the act and discipline of composing plans that visually communicate how something functions or has to be constructed.Drafting is the language of industry....
in the Air Force
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
before working in the Architectural Division of the Ministry of Works, and private practice. His designwork included factories, office buildings, flats, houses and churches, with examples of his domestic architecture including the Etherton House in Miramar
Miramar, New Zealand
Miramar is a suburb of Wellington, New Zealand, south-east of the city centre. It is on the Miramar Peninsula, directly east of the isthmus of Rongotai, the site of Wellington International Airport.-History:...
, the Atkins House in Upper Hutt
Upper Hutt
Upper Hutt is a satellite city of Wellington. It is New Zealand's smallest city by population, the second largest by land area. It is in Greater Wellington.-Geography:Upper Hutt is 30 km north-east of Wellington...
and the Blumhart House of 1957. In 1953 he described the Aitkens house in terms which find resonance with contemporary ambitions for domestic living:
"While the family is just a young married couple the requirements remain simple. There is no need for elaborate living - no ritual of meals solemnly served or activities placed into compartments. There can be a free and easy way of life with both members of the family taking part. The easiness of the holiday bach in a permanent house was looked for, but with the finish and sophistication of a town dwelling."
In the late 1950s he become a partner in Treadwell and Wild. The 1958 Hazelcourt Flats in Claremont Grove is an example of their work from this period. Another of Treadwell's successful collaborations was the Willeston Galleries in Manners St with H. H. Geddes. He chaired a SANZ committee on drawing office standards and was actively involved revising the syllabus for architecture drafting courses for the Technicians Certification Authority of New Zealand. More recently he and his daughter Sarah recreated his mural in the Takapuna "Experimental House" by Group Construction for the 1950s show at Auckland City Art Gallery in 1992.
Teaching
In addition to his successful architectural practice he taught at the architecture schools at the Auckland University College (as an assistant studio instructor), the Wellington Polytech, and Victoria University of WellingtonVictoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
(as a Senior Lecturer 1978-1987), and he was actively involved in the Architectural Centre' summer schools. In an article discussing the redesign of Te Aro project, Treadwell described the Architectural Centre as:
"a body of men and women, chiefly architects and students of architecture, but also comprising many interested people, artists, writers, men of science, town-planners and others who are interested in architecture.”