{{short description|Architect of colonial New Zealand}} {{Use British English|date=August 2011}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}'''William Barnett Armson''' (1832/3 – 25 February 1883) was an architect, surveyor, and engineer in colonial New Zealand. A co-founder of the Canterbury Association of Architects<ref name="CCBA" /> and an architect to the provincial government,<ref name="peoplesnetworknz.info">{{cite web|url=http://chchkete.peoplesnetworknz.info/site/topics/show/51-william-barnett-armson|title=ARMSON'S EARLY CAREER Melbourne, Dunedin, Hokitika.|work=peoplesnetworknz.info|accessdate=9 August 2011|archive-date=20 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320192144/http://chchkete.peoplesnetworknz.info/site/topics/show/51-william-barnett-armson|url-status=dead}}</ref> he established the architectural firm Armson, Collins and Harman in 1870. It remained active until 1993<ref name="Environmental2003">{{cite book|url=http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Publications/ChristchurchCityCouncil/ArchitecturalHeritage/PavilionsTemplesFourSquareWalls/1877313092.pdf|title=The Architectural Heritage of Christchurch : Pavilions, temples & four square walls : Christchurch pump houses and substations|department=Christchurch (N.Z.). Environmental Policy & Planning Unit|year=2003|isbn= 1-877313-09-2|publisher=Christchurch City Council |pages=10|accessdate=5 June 2011}}</ref> and was one of the two oldest architectural firms in New Zealand.<ref name="historic.org.nz">{{cite web|url=http://www.historic.org.nz/corporate/registersearch/ProfessionalBio/Professional.aspx?ID=55|title=Collins & Harman|work=historic.org.nz|accessdate=4 June 2011}}</ref> Armson’s most important work was the Bank of New Zealand building in Dunedin.
==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.<ref name="ManeWheoki2010">{{DNZB|last=Mane-Wheoki |first=Jonathan |id=2a13/1|title=Armson, William Barnett|access-date=7 January 2020}}</ref> Armson trained in Melbourne.<ref name="nzqa.govt.nz">{{cite web|url= https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:0k4LTSMJ0p4J:www.nzqa.govt.nz/nqfdocs/ncea-resource/schedules/2008/90227-ass-08.pdf+%22W.B.+Armson+%22&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgKSpIWK0loRTr37G1TqTTLDf3JuYRrCeg6ToTXVPgO3hWFh7BV-leZkuiPlp987pi17Vu38xGvOHJsUN-2UvpYJ-93rN-gsYyrUNPCGZElMVxrt-0NPE-cnOI36AFl6njs6lwj&sig=AHIEtbRQt9mA7ldMcZzLCCaierF56WVcKg |title=Assessment Schedule|year=2008|work=nzqa.govt.nz|pages=7, 8|accessdate=11 August 2011}}</ref> [[File:Excelsior Hotel, Christchurch.jpg|thumb|right|Excelsior Hotel in Christchurch]] [[File:Guthrey Centre, 2010.jpg|thumb|right|Guthrey Centre in Christchurch]]
==Career== Armson designed many buildings in New Zealand, including banks, churches, houses, offices, schools, and shops.<ref name="christchurchartgallery.org.nz" /> His commercial buildings were based on a Renaissance architectural style. The banks and offices designs were notable for their "scholarly treatment" and severely correct form, providing excellent examples of Palladian School architecture.<ref name="Architects1900">{{cite book|author=Royal Institute of British Architects|title=Journal of the Royal Institute of British Architects|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=QnoAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA486|edition=Now in the public domain |year=1900 |publisher=The Institute|page=486}}</ref>
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.<ref name="Archer1870">{{cite book|last=Archer|first=William Henry|title=Victoria. Abstracts of specifications of patents applied for from 1854 to 1866|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=WJMBAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA6|edition=Now in the public domain |year=1870|page=6}}</ref>
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.<ref name="NorthOtagoTimes1865">{{cite news|url= http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=NOT18650518.2.14.2 |title=New Advertisements|date=18 May 1865|volume=IV |issue=65|work=North Otago Times|page=3| accessdate=11 August 2011}}</ref>
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.<ref name="ccc.govt.nz">{{cite web|url=http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/ExploreHistoricChCh-publications.pdf|title=City of Gothic Proportions|work=ccc.govt.nz|accessdate=11 August 2011|archive-date=9 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009184417/http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/ExploreHistoricChCh-publications.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="christchurch.org.nzWalks" /> Another example includes the first Christchurch Boys' High School, which opened in 1881.<ref name="aucklandcity.govt.nz">{{cite web|url=https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/search/searchterm/Burton%20Brothers/field/all/mode/exact/conn/and|title=Burton Brothers |publisher=Auckland Council|accessdate=3 May 2024}}</ref> The Excelsior Hotel building, designed by Armson and established in 1881, is a classified historic building.<ref name="christchurchcity.org.nzExcelsior ">{{cite web|url=http://www.christchurchcity.org.nz/christchurch-central-city-directory/new_excelsior_backpackers.php|title=New Excelsior Backpackers|publisher=Christchurch Central City Business Association|accessdate=11 August 2011}}</ref> St Church of St. Mary in Timaru was designed by Armson.<ref name="rootsweb.ancestry.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nzlscant/stmarys.htm|title=St Mary's (Anglican) Parish Church, Timaru, N.Z.|work=rootsweb.ancestry.com|accessdate=11 August 2011}}</ref> The Armson Building (also known as the John Anderson Building and later as the Guthrey Centre), designed by Armson, was also built in 1881.<ref name="CCBA">{{cite web|url=http://www.christchurchcity.org.nz/guthrey-centre-history.php|title=Guthrey Centre History|publisher=Christchurch Central City Business Association|accessdate=9 August 2011}}</ref> A Category I heritage building registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, it was demolished after damage from the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Harald's Building on Lichfield Street was his design and was completed in 1881.<ref name="chchkete.peoplesnetworknz.info">{{cite web|url=http://chchkete.peoplesnetworknz.info/streets_and_places/topics/show/60-80-lichfield-street|title=80 Lichfield Street|publisher=Christchurch Kete People's Network NZ|accessdate=11 August 2011|archive-date=20 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320192156/http://chchkete.peoplesnetworknz.info/streets_and_places/topics/show/60-80-lichfield-street|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Venetian Gothic style Library Chambers building was designed by Armson<ref name="christchurchcitylibraries.com1998">{{cite web|url=http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Places/Buildings/LibraryChambers/|title=Library Chambers|work=christchurchcitylibraries.com|accessdate=11 August 2011}}</ref> in 1875.<ref name="christchurch.org.nzWalks">{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:TOYyJxt9O8cJ:www.christchurch.org.nz/publications/CityHeritageWalks.pdf+%22W.B.+Armson+%22&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShKOsSHcmx25vOUhKz5Y46GjNyj4wGbRcERV2qmfg7mQWDUVBJOz-b8LIiirHPGIWr2MLxpF5vKKgUI_DdwSVooGwA4oCy3SV0GV_PlAYWll5S-Jaw8KMYAkh5fNty40ylTKvxX&sig=AHIEtbQ4MDTKrauFBQ7eq95bjojoSIGHkw|title=City Heritage Walks|pages=10, 15|accessdate=11 August 2011}}</ref>
He received a commission to design a new building for the club in 1872, but other assignments and ill health caused him to withdraw.<ref name="canterburyclub.co.nz">{{cite web|url=http://www.canterburyclub.co.nz/layouts/mp_standard/Template.aspx?page=History|title=History|publisher=Canterbury Club|accessdate=11 August 2011}}</ref> Designed in 1879,<ref name="visit-dunedin.co.nz">{{cite web|url=http://www.visit-dunedin.co.nz/historic_buildings.html|title=City of Grace and Grandeur|work=visit-dunedin.co.nz|accessdate=11 August 2011}}</ref> his most important work was Dunedin's Bank of New Zealand building.<ref name="Architects1900" /> Armson was a foundation member of the Canterbury Club.<ref name="CCBA" />
==Later years== Armson died on 25 February 1883 in Christchurch.<ref name="ManeWheoki2010" /> He was buried at Barbadoes Street Cemetery.<ref name="Barbadoes Cemetery">{{cite web|url= http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Cemeteries/Barbadoes/BarbadoesStreetCemetery.pdf |title=Barbadoes Street Cemetery Tour|last=Greenaway |first=Richard L. N.|date=June 2007|publisher=Christchurch City Council|page=4 |accessdate=30 September 2011}}</ref> The Macmillan Brown Library at the University of Canterbury houses many of his original drawings.<ref name="library.canterbury.ac.nz">{{cite web|url=http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/mb/archdraw.shtml|title=Architectural Drawings |publisher=University of Canterbury|accessdate=11 August 2011}}</ref>
One hundred years after his death, the Christchurch Art Gallery held an exhibition of his original drawings and plans.<ref name="christchurchartgallery.org.nz">{{cite web|url=http://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/multimedia/print/digitized-gallery-publications/w-b-armson-a-colonial-architect-rediscovered/|title=W B Armson: a colonial architect rediscovered|publisher=Christchurch Art Gallery|accessdate=11 August 2011}}</ref> An article in ''Art New Zealand'', "Lost and Found: The Architecture of WB. Armson" was also published in 1983 to commemorate his work.<ref name="Mané1983">{{cite journal|last=Mané |first=J. N. |date=Summer 1983–84|title=Lost and Found: The Architecture of WB. Armson|journal=Art New Zealand|issue=29|url=http://www.art-newzealand.com/Issues21to30/issue29.htm}}</ref>
==References== {{Commons category|William Armson}} {{Reflist|33em}}
==Further reading== *{{cite book |last1= Mew |first1= Geoff |last2= Humphris |first2= Adrian |year= 2020 |title= Architects at the Apex: The Top 50 in New Zealand 1840–1940 |location= Martinborough |publisher= Ngaio Press |type= Softcover |isbn= 978-0-9941349-4-3}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Armson, William}} Category:1830s births Category:1883 deaths Category:Architects from Christchurch Category:Burials at Barbadoes Street Cemetery Category:19th-century New Zealand architects