Joseph Maddison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Maddison
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Joseph Clarkson Maddison in 1905
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| Born | 26 February 1850 |
| Died | 11 December 1923 (aged 73) Napier, New Zealand
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| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Buildings | Carlton Hotel Clarendon Hotel Merchiston Station homestead Mona Vale homestead Old Government Building, Christchurch Warner's Hotel |
| Projects | 1906 International Exhibition |
Joseph Clarkson Maddison (born February 26, 1850 – died December 11, 1923) was an important architect in New Zealand. He learned about architecture in London, England, where he was born. When he was 22, he moved to the Canterbury area of New Zealand.
By the late 1800s and early 1900s, Maddison was one of the most well-known architects in Christchurch. He designed buildings all over the country. His style was usually simple and practical, often using a classic Italian design. Many of his buildings in Christchurch were damaged or torn down after the big earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.
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Early Life and Training
Joseph Maddison was born in Greenwich, Kent, England, in 1850. His parents were John Maddison, who sold beer, and Matilda Clarkson. Joseph went to private schools when he was young.
From the age of 17, Maddison studied architecture in England. He learned from an architect named George Morris and also attended the National Art Training School.
Designing Buildings
Joseph Maddison moved to Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1872. He first had an office on Cashel Street. From 1878 to 1916, he worked from an office on Hereford Street.
He became famous by winning two big design competitions. In 1879, he even won both first and second place in a competition to design the Christchurch Town Hall. This success led to many jobs throughout the 1880s. In the 1890s, he mainly designed buildings for meat processing, like freezing works and abattoirs. In 1887, he became a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
In the early 1900s, Maddison designed some very important buildings. These included the Christchurch Government Building and the Clarendon Hotel. He also designed the large, temporary buildings for the 1906 International Exhibition.
The exhibition building was built in Hagley Park in Christchurch. It was huge, measuring 399 meters long and 113 meters deep. Its two towers were 49 meters tall! This building cost £54,000 to build, but it was taken down after the exhibition ended. The Government Building in Cathedral Square shows Maddison's simple and practical style. It looks like an Italian palace.
After the original Parliament Buildings in Wellington burned down in 1907, Maddison entered a competition to design new ones. There were 33 entries, but his design did not win. The building that was finally built combined ideas from other winning designs.
Maddison preferred designing practical buildings over fancy ones. Because of this, he only designed two churches in his career. These were St Paul's Church at Port Levy (1888) and Holy Innocents' Church at Amberley (1890).
Earthquakes and Heritage Buildings
Many of Joseph Maddison's designs were recognized as important heritage buildings by Heritage New Zealand. Sadly, many of his buildings in Christchurch were badly damaged by the 2010 Canterbury earthquake and the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. At least half of them had to be torn down.
Some of his famous buildings that were affected include:
- The Carlton Hotel, which was demolished in 2011.
- The Clarendon Hotel, where the front part was kept for a new building.
- Mona Vale, a beautiful homestead that was damaged but its future is unknown.
- The Old Government Building, which is now a luxury hotel and apartments.
- Warner's Hotel, which was also demolished in 2011.
Outside of Christchurch, some of his listed buildings include the Merchiston Station homestead and St Paul's Church at Port Levy.
Maddison's Style
Maddison was known for his simple and useful style. This was perfect for the industrial buildings he liked to design. He usually specialized in the classical Italian style, which is very elegant but not overly decorated. He rarely tried other, more ornate styles. He did try designing some buildings in the Gothic style, like the Nurses' Home at Christchurch Hospital, but these were not as popular as his usual work.
Personal Life
Joseph Maddison married Jane Midmore in 1873. Jane's father was a surveyor. Joseph and Jane had three daughters together. Jane passed away in 1920. For the last few years of his life, Maddison lived with one of his daughters in Napier. He died there on December 11, 1923, at the age of 73.
Images for kids
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Carlton Hotel, demolished in 2011
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Clarendon Hotel, its facade was kept
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Mona Vale homestead, damaged by earthquake
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Former Linwood Public Library, mostly collapsed
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Old Government Building, now a luxury hotel
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Warner's Hotel, demolished in 2011
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Wood Bros Flour Mill, most buildings demolished
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Zetland Hotel, demolished in 2011
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St Paul's Church at Port Levy
