Margaret Pitt Morison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret Pitt Morison
|
|
|---|---|
Two portraits of Margaret Pitt Morison published in the West Australian Newspaper (17 May 1929, p.6; The Western Mail, 9 April 1936, p.28)
|
|
| Born |
Margaret Lillian Pitt Morison
3 December 1900 |
| Died | 12 December 1985 (aged 85) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Architect, lecturer |
| Parent(s) | George Pitt Morison Frances Margaret (née Somner) |
.jpg)
Margaret Lillian Pitt Morison (born December 3, 1900 – died December 12, 1985) was an Australian architect. She was very active in the 20th century. Margaret was the first female architect to become a member in Western Australia. She helped shape Australian architecture as a designer, teacher, and historian. Her work was especially important in Western Australia.
About Margaret's Life
Early Life and Education
Margaret was born in North Perth, Western Australia. Her father, George Pitt Morison, was a famous Australian painter. He often showed his art in exhibitions.
Margaret went to the Girls’ High School and Perth Modern School. In 1920, she started training with an architect named Geoffrey Edwin Summerhayes. She finished her training with the firm Eales & Cohen. In October 1924, Margaret became Western Australia's first registered female architect. This was a big achievement!
Starting Her Career
In late 1925, Margaret traveled to Melbourne with her parents. The next year, she began working with an architectural firm called Cedric Ballantyne. She also studied at the University of Melbourne's Architectural Atelier. Later, she joined another firm, A. & K. Henderson.
In 1929, Margaret returned to Perth. She joined an architectural firm started by F.G.B. Hawkins. There, she helped design the Atlas Assurance Company Office from 1930 to 1931. In the early 1930s, Margaret joined Poster Studios. This was a business for commercial art. She worked with architects Harold Krantz, John Oldham, and Colin Ednie-Brown. In 1934, she designed the Myola Club in Claremont with Harold Krantz.
Major Projects and Contributions
Over the next few years, Margaret worked mostly for Oldham, Boas, and Ednie-Brown. She designed the inside details of the Adelphi Hotel. She also helped remodel the Karrakatta Club in 1936. From 1936 to 1938, she worked on the details of the Emu Brewery.
In the late 1930s, she started her own architectural design business. She worked with Heimann (Heinz) Jacobsohn. However, her practice closed when World War II began.
During the war, in 1942, she worked for the government as a camouflage officer. Later, she moved to Melbourne and worked for architect H. Vivian Taylor. She came back to Perth in 1948. From then until 1962, she taught architecture at the Old Perth Technical School.
In 1967, Margaret started working for the City Planners Department at the City of Perth. She was an assistant research officer until 1971. That year, she joined the University of Western Australia. She worked as a research officer in the School of Architecture and Fine Arts. She stayed there until she passed away in 1985.
In 1979, she was made a Life Fellow of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. This is a very high honor for an architect. In the same year, she published a book called Western Towns and Buildings. She wrote it with John White. It was a detailed study of buildings in Western Australia from the 1800s and 1900s.
Important Buildings She Worked On
Competition for House Design
In 1933, Margaret won first prize in a competition. The Royal Institute of Architects in Western Australia ran it. She won 2,500 pounds for her house design.
Atlas Insurance Company Office
Margaret was hired by F.G.B Hawkins for this building in Perth. She helped with some of the smaller details and drawings. The building was completed in 1930.
Lawson Apartments
In 1936, Margaret helped design the Lawson Apartments. She worked on this project with Harold Boas.
Adelphi Hotel
Margaret also worked on the design of the Adelphi Hotel in 1936. She worked with Harold Krantz. Margaret mostly focused on the interior details of the hotel.
Marginata Flats
In 1940, Margaret worked on the design of the Marginata Flats. She collaborated with Jacobsohn on this project.
Ruse Residence
Margaret also worked on the design of the Ruse Residence in 1941. This was another project with Jacobsohn.
Packenham Residence
This was a smaller project Margaret completed in 1954. She designed this house in Kellerberrin. At the time, she was teaching at the Old Perth Technical School.
Margaret's Legacy
Margaret Pitt Morison passed away in Nedlands on December 12, 1985.
The University of Western Australia honors her memory. They give the Margaret Pitt-Morison Memorial Prize to excellent students. These students study environmental design.
The Western Australian branch of the Australian Institute of Architects also named an award after her. It is called the Margaret Pitt Morison Award for Heritage. This award recognizes great work in preserving old buildings.
See also
In Spanish: Margaret Lilian Pitt Morison para niños
