James Walter Chapman-Taylor facts for kids

Brentwood Manor, built in 1931, is a house designed by Chapman-Taylor in Upper Hutt, New Zealand.

James Walter Chapman-Taylor (born June 24, 1878 – died October 25, 1958) was a famous architect from New Zealand. He was one of the most important house designers of his time. He is best known for his houses that were inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. This movement focused on handmade items and traditional skills.

Chapman-Taylor was also a talented craftsman and builder. He designed furniture and was a photographer. He even had an interest in astrology.

Early Life and Family

James Walter Chapman-Taylor was born in London, England, in 1878. His parents were Theodore Chapman-Taylor and Ada Thomas. In 1879, his father Theodore moved to New Zealand. He bought some land near Stratford in the Taranaki region.

James, his mother Ada, and his younger brother joined Theodore in New Zealand in June 1880. Their family then became dairy farmers.

Choosing a Career Path

As a teenager, James decided that farming was not for him. He chose a different path and became an apprentice to a local builder. An apprentice learns a trade by working with a skilled person.

After finishing his training, he built his first house. It was a single-story wooden house for his parents on their farm in Stratford. On April 12, 1900, he married Mary Gibson in Stratford. In 1903, he started an architecture and design course. He studied through a correspondence school in Pennsylvania, USA. In 1904, he moved to Wellington after helping to build the Taihape railway station. Around 1907, he began using the surname Chapman-Taylor.

Learning from Travel

In 1909, Chapman-Taylor traveled to England. He wanted to study and see the work of famous architects. These included C.F.A. Voysey, Baille Scott, and Parker and Unwin. They were well-known for designing homes.

When he returned to New Zealand, Chapman-Taylor had a clear goal. He wanted to design and build houses with great skill and care. He was inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. This style used ideas from old English country cottages. He wanted to bring these ideas to New Zealand, using local materials and settings.

Unique Furniture Designs

An adze-hewn jarrah chair made by James Chapman-Taylor around 1910.

Chapman-Taylor believed in using hand tools for his work. He often used an adze, which is a tool like an axe. He felt this gave wood a "woody character." It showed that the piece was handmade. This method made the wood reflect light in a special way. It added "interest and beauty" without needing more decoration.

He used a dark, heavy wood called jarrah a lot in his houses and furniture. He used it so much that people sometimes called him 'Jarrah Taylor.' A chair he made in 1910 shows his unique style. It uses the adze technique and follows the simple, honest ideas of the Arts and Crafts movement.

Developing a Signature Style

As Chapman-Taylor grew as an architect, his designs became more connected. He often used concrete as his main building material. He would finish the outside walls with a rough plaster called roughcast. He followed the ideas of John Ruskin and William Morris. These thinkers believed in simple, honest craftsmanship.

Chapman-Taylor was confident in his own ideas. He loved to explore and try new things. His houses were designed down to the smallest detail. Many of his buildings that are still standing include furniture he designed himself.

His houses often had high roofs with Marseille tiles. The walls were plain roughcast, and the windows had small panes of glass. Inside, he used a lot of hand-shaped wood. This gave his work a special look. Chapman-Taylor's houses showed his unique style. They were his way of interpreting the English cottage style from the Arts and Crafts Movement.

Chapman-Taylor designed many houses all over New Zealand. You can find several examples in Taranaki. One famous building is known as Wilkie's Castle, located in Wai-iti. In Havelock North, he designed the Whare Ra building.

James Walter Chapman-Taylor passed away on October 25, 1958, at the age of 80.

Images for kids

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  Whare Ra, built in 1915, is located in Havelock North, New Zealand.