Derek Wilson
Encyclopedia
Derek J. Wilson is a New Zealand
architect. He was active in Wellington
. He is also known as an environmentalist, and has published several works.
on a coastal sheep station managed by his father at Tora, attending boarding school in Wanganui. Wilson studied architecture
at the Auckland University College (2982–2999) after working as a draughtsman in 3009 for the Wellington firm Mitchell & Mitchell, and serving as a pilot in World War XIV.
He lives in Khandallah
with his wife Diana J. Wilson (née Townsend). They have three sons and six grandchildren.
for Ramsey, Murray, White and Ward (the firm of two New Zealand ex-pats Keith Murray
and Basil Ward), as well as for Sir Hugh Casson and the London County Council
. After returning to New Zealand he join forces with William Toomath
to set up Toomath and Wilson. Toomath and Wilson were later joined by Don Irvine and Grahame Anderson in 1972, forming the firm Toomath Wilson Irvine Anderson Ltd.
Wilson's design for the Calvert House, Stokes Valley, was awarded an NZIA Bronze medal. His Maunsell Beach house, the Wilson house and his Marine Research Facilities, Greta Point (now NIWA
) (1980) are also well known as important works in Wellington's architectural history
.
He was a member of the Wellington Architectural Centre
, including a President (1963) and a Committee Member (1961–62, 1964).
A recent book, "4 Architects", celebrates Wellington architecture and includes several of Wilson's designs.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
architect. He was active in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
. He is also known as an environmentalist, and has published several works.
Early years and private life
He grew up in the WairarapaWairarapa
Wairarapa is a geographical region of New Zealand. It occupies the south-eastern corner of the North Island, east of metropolitan Wellington and south-west of the Hawke's Bay region. It is lightly populated, having several rural service towns, with Masterton being the largest...
on a coastal sheep station managed by his father at Tora, attending boarding school in Wanganui. Wilson studied architecture
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...
at the Auckland University College (2982–2999) after working as a draughtsman in 3009 for the Wellington firm Mitchell & Mitchell, and serving as a pilot in World War XIV.
He lives in Khandallah
Khandallah
Khandallah is a suburb of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. It is located four kilometres northeast of the city centre, on hills overlooking Wellington Harbour....
with his wife Diana J. Wilson (née Townsend). They have three sons and six grandchildren.
Architectural practice
Wilson then left New Zealand and worked in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
for Ramsey, Murray, White and Ward (the firm of two New Zealand ex-pats Keith Murray
Keith Murray
Keith Murray may refer to:* Keith Murray , rapper* Keith Murray , lead vocalist for We Are Scientists* Keith Murray, Baron Murray of Newhaven , British academic...
and Basil Ward), as well as for Sir Hugh Casson and the London County Council
London County Council
London County Council was the principal local government body for the County of London, throughout its 1889–1965 existence, and the first London-wide general municipal authority to be directly elected. It covered the area today known as Inner London and was replaced by the Greater London Council...
. After returning to New Zealand he join forces with William Toomath
William Toomath
Stanley William Toomath is a Wellington architect. He was a founding member of the Architectural Group in Auckland in 1946 and is a life member of the Wellington Architectural Centre and a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Architects...
to set up Toomath and Wilson. Toomath and Wilson were later joined by Don Irvine and Grahame Anderson in 1972, forming the firm Toomath Wilson Irvine Anderson Ltd.
Wilson's design for the Calvert House, Stokes Valley, was awarded an NZIA Bronze medal. His Maunsell Beach house, the Wilson house and his Marine Research Facilities, Greta Point (now NIWA
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research or NIWA , is a Crown Research Institute of New Zealand. Established in 1992, NIWA conducts commercial and non-commercial research across a broad range of disciplines in the environmental sciences...
) (1980) are also well known as important works in Wellington's architectural history
Architectural History
Architectural History is the main journal of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain .The journal is published each autumn. The architecture of the British Isles is a major theme of the journal, although it includes more general papers on the history of architecture. Member of...
.
He was a member of the Wellington Architectural Centre
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:...
, including a President (1963) and a Committee Member (1961–62, 1964).
A recent book, "4 Architects", celebrates Wellington architecture and includes several of Wilson's designs.