William Clayton (architect)
Encyclopedia
William Henry Clayton was a New Zealand
colonial
architect
.
, Australia, Clayton trained as an architect in England, and designed more than three hundred buildings in Tasmania
before emigrating to New Zealand in 1863.
of Dunedin
), and over six years designed many prominent buildings in the area, such as Dunedin's All Saints' Church and Edinburgh House.
In 1869 Clayton moved to Wellington to take up a post as the first (and only) Colonial Architect, in which position he became central to the public works projects of prime minister
Julius Vogel
(Clayton's daughter Mary had married Vogel in 1867). He designed many public buildings in Wellington, including the old Government House
and Parliament buildings, but he is best known for designing the Old Government Buildings in Wellington, then part of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings
and the second-largest wooden building in the world (behind Tōdai-ji
in Nara, Japan
). He also designed All Saints Church, Dunedin
. An important design in Christchurch
is the Chief Post Office
in Cathedral Square
, a Category I heritage building.
Clayton's self-designed residence, finished in 1874, was the first concrete house in New Zealand and the first house to have hot and cold running water (it is now a part of Queen Margaret College
).
.
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...
colonial
Colonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
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...
.
Early life
Born in Norfolk PlainsLongford, Tasmania
Longford is a town in the north-east of Tasmania, Australia. It lies 175 m above sea level at the convergence of the Macquarie River and the South Esk River, 21 km south of Launceston. It is just south of the Illawarra Road, a road connecting the Bass and Midland Highways. It has a...
, Australia, Clayton trained as an architect in England, and designed more than three hundred buildings in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
before emigrating to New Zealand in 1863.
New Zealand career
He established the practice of Mason and Clayton with William Mason (later first mayorMayor of Dunedin
The Mayor of Dunedin is the head of the municipal government of Dunedin, New Zealand, and presides over the Dunedin City Council. The Mayor is directly elected, using the Single Transferable Vote system in 2007....
of 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...
), and over six years designed many prominent buildings in the area, such as Dunedin's All Saints' Church and Edinburgh House.
In 1869 Clayton moved to Wellington to take up a post as the first (and only) Colonial Architect, in which position he became central to the public works projects of prime minister
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
Julius Vogel
Julius Vogel
Sir Julius Vogel, KCMG was the eighth Premier of New Zealand. His administration is best remembered for the issuing of bonds to fund railway construction and other public works...
(Clayton's daughter Mary had married Vogel in 1867). He designed many public buildings in Wellington, including the old Government House
Government House
Government House is the name of many of the residences of Governors-General, Governors and Lieutenant-Governors in the Commonwealth and the remaining colonies of the British Empire. It serves as the venue for the Governor's official business, as well as the many receptions and functions hosted by...
and Parliament buildings, but he is best known for designing the Old Government Buildings in Wellington, then part of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings
New Zealand Parliament Buildings
The New Zealand Parliament Buildings house the New Zealand Parliament and are on a 45,000 square metre site at the northern end of Lambton Quay, Wellington...
and the second-largest wooden building in the world (behind Tōdai-ji
Todai-ji
, is a Buddhist temple complex located in the city of Nara, Japan. Its Great Buddha Hall , the largest wooden building in the world, houses the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese simply as Daibutsu . The temple also serves as the Japanese headquarters of the ...
in Nara, Japan
Nara, Nara
is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. The city occupies the northern part of Nara Prefecture, directly bordering Kyoto Prefecture...
). He also designed All Saints Church, Dunedin
All Saints Church, Dunedin
All Saints parish is the Anglican parish of the northern part of the city of Dunedin, New Zealand. It is part of the Diocese of Dunedin. The parish boundaries include North Dunedin, Ravensbourne and Leith Valley....
. An important design in 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...
is the Chief Post Office
Chief Post Office, Christchurch
The former Chief Post Office is located in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, New Zealand. The building was initially a post office with other government services; it is now a Visitor Information Centre. It was the site of the first telephone exchange in New Zealand...
in Cathedral Square
Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Cathedral Square, locally known simply as the Square, is the geographical centre and heart of Christchurch, New Zealand, where the city's Anglican cathedral, ChristChurch Cathedral is located...
, a Category I heritage building.
Clayton's self-designed residence, finished in 1874, was the first concrete house in New Zealand and the first house to have hot and cold running water (it is now a part of Queen Margaret College
Queen Margaret College (Wellington)
Queen Margaret College is an independent Presbyterian all-girls high school/college in Wellington, New Zealand. The school was started in 1919 at 53 Hobson Street, Thorndon, Wellington. It was previously the location of Scots College, Wellington, now the school's brother school. The land currently...
).
Death
Clayton died of an infected ankle on 23 August 1877, and was buried in Dunedin Northern CemeteryDunedin Northern Cemetery
The Dunedin Northern Cemetery is a major historic cemetery in the southern New Zealand city of Dunedin. It is located close to Lovelock Avenue on a spur of Signal Hill close to the Dunedin Botanic Gardens and the suburb of Opoho, overlooking Dunedin North and Logan Park. The site was set aside in...
.