Richard Strachan De Renzy Harman

Richard Strachan De Renzy Harman (18 November 1896 – 14 September 1953) was a New Zealand architect based in Christchurch during the first half of the 20th century, and was particularly known as an ecclesiastical and residential architect. His notable works include the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo.

Richard Harman
Born
Richard Strachan De Renzy Harman

(1896-11-18)18 November 1896
Christchurch, New Zealand
Died14 September 1953(1953-09-14) (aged 56)
OccupationArchitect
Spouse
Jocelyn Mary Wilson
​
(m. 1933)​
BuildingsAll Saints' Church, Hokitika
Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo
RelativesThomas Harman (father)
Richard Harman (uncle)
Annesley Harman (uncle)
Richard Harman (grandfather)
Cecil Wilson (father-in-law)

Biography

Born in Christchurch in 1896, Harman was the eldest son of lawyer Thomas De Renzy Harman and Jenny Harman (née Cook).[1][2][3] His uncles included Richard Dacre Harman, also an architect,[1] and Annesley Harman, and his grandfather was Richard James Strachan Harman, one of the Canterbury Pilgrims.

Harman was educated in Christchurch. Between 1914 and 1916, he served his articles with the Christchurch firm of Seager and Macleod, and took classes at the Canterbury College School of Art. He saw military service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in France during the latter part of World War I, and then undertook further study at the Royal College of Art, London, before returning to New Zealand. He rejoined Seager's practice, but spent another period in London between 1923 and 1926, when he worked for the ancient monuments branch of the Office of Works, as well as doing further study.[1]

After Harman returned to New Zealand, he worked in partnership with Cecil Wood from December 1926[4] until setting up his own practice in 1928. Harman gained a reputation as a residential and ecclesiastical architect, and was particularly associated with the Anglican Church. He was appointed as consulting architect for ChristChurch Cathedral in the 1940s, and designed the Chapel of St Michael and St George for the south transept in 1949.[1]

Harman was elected president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects in 1949.[1]

On 22 February 1933, at St Augustine's Church, Cashmere, Harman married Jocelyn Mary Wilson, the daughter of Cecil Wilson, the bishop of Bunbury in Western Australia; the wedding ceremony was conducted by Jocelyn's grandfather, Archbishop Churchill Julius.[2] Richard Harman died on 14 September 1953, and he was buried at Waimairi Cemetery, Christchurch.[5][6] His wife, Jocelyn, died in 1991.[7]

Notable works

Notable buildings designed by Harman include:

BuildingImageDateLocationNotes
Church of the Good Shepherd1935Pioneer Drive, Lake TekapoGranted Heritage New Zealand historic place category 1 status in 1985[8]
St James' Church1935750 Harewood Road, ChristchurchSecond vestry added to north elevation in 1991[9]
All Saints' Church193657 Bealey Street, HokitikaGranted Heritage New Zealand historic place category 1 status in 1990[1]
St Ninian's Church1936Kane Road, Hāwea FlatVestry added in 1953, to plans drawn by Harman[10]
St Matthew's Church19371075 Halkett Road, KirweeConcrete construction, with stained-glass windows from earlier church[11]
Cathedral of St John the Evangelist196528 Browning Street, NapierPreliminary design by Harman; design completed by Malcolm and Sweet, Napier, after Harman's death[1][12]

Notes
  1. Lovell-Smith 2002a.
  2. The Press 1933.
  3. Lyttelton Times 1895.
  4. "Public notices". The Press. Vol. LXII, no. 18884. 27 December 1926. p. 1. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  5. Department of Internal Affairs.
  6. Christchurch City Council 2020a.
  7. Christchurch City Council 2020b.
  8. Lovell-Smith 2002b.
  9. Christchurch City Council 2017.
  10. Queenstown Lakes District Council 2005.
  11. The Press 1937.
  12. Waiapu Anglican Cathedral.

References
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