Guy Natusch

Guy Kingdon Natusch MNZM DSC (7 February 1921 – 30 September 2020) was a New Zealand architect. He grew up in Hawke's Bay, where he practised until his retirement in 1997.

Natusch during World War II

Biography

Natusch was born in Hastings in 1921,[1] the son of architect Rene Natusch.[2] During World War II, he served in the Royal New Zealand Navy from 1942 to 1945 on destroyers and motor torpedo boats, serving in the North Sea and English Channel for D-Day operations.[3] He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in May 1944, for good service against enemy light forces.[3][1]

Natusch's grandfather, Charles Natusch, had arrived in New Zealand in 1886 and founded the architectural and quantity surveying firm, Natusch & Sons.[4] Guy Natusch was active in the firm from 1946 to 1997, working on both commercial and residential projects. His style of architecture emphasized the building's function over its appearance. He also developed a basic housing project called Solwood Houses.

Following his retirement from practice, Natusch remained active as a heritage advisor to Heritage New Zealand, a role that he began in the late 1960s.[2]

In the 2003 New Year Honours, Natusch was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to architecture.[5]

Natusch died on 30 September 2020, aged 99.[6]

Noted works
  • 1950 Bisson House, Napier
  • 1951 Red Cross Hall, Napier
  • 1951 Christian Science Society, Napier
  • 1952 Rathbone House, Waipawa
  • 1953 War Memorial Hall, Napier
  • 1962 Wool Exchange Building, Napier

References
  1. "Naval awards". Evening Post. 26 July 1944. p. 6. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  2. Warnock, Ann (9 January 2010). "Modernist fights to save the past". Dominion Post. p. 15.
  3. "Natusch, T/A Sub Lieutenant G.K., D.S.C." National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  4. Natusch, Guy K. "Natusch, Charles Tilleard". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  5. "New Year honours list 2003". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2002. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  6. "Guy Natusch, FNZIA, 1921–2020". The Bulletin. Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
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