Works of Robert Lawson facts for kids
This page lists the amazing buildings designed by a Scottish architect named Robert Lawson (1833–1902). He was a very important designer who helped shape the look of Dunedin, a city in New Zealand, during the Victorian era.
Lawson was incredibly busy! He designed around 46 churches, 21 banks, 134 houses, 16 schools, 13 hotels, 15 public buildings, and 120 shops or factories. That's a lot of buildings! Even today, 94 of his buildings are still standing. Forty-six of them are in Dunedin, 43 are in other parts of New Zealand, and five are in Melbourne, Australia.
Contents
What Did Robert Lawson Build?
Robert Lawson designed many different types of buildings. He didn't just build houses; he created places for people to learn, pray, work, and even stay overnight.
Churches and Places of Worship
Lawson designed many churches, often in the beautiful Gothic style. These buildings were very important to the communities they served.
- Waikouaiti Presbyterian Church (1863): A small wooden church with a Gothic look. It's still there today!
- Allanton Presbyterian Church (1865): This church was once moved by two steam engines to a better spot on a hill!
- North Taieri Presbyterian Church (1867): This church is still standing and is a protected historic place.
- East Taieri Presbyterian Church (1870): A grand Gothic church with a spire and strong supports.
- St Andrew's Presbyterian Church (1870): This building in Dunedin is now a Coptic Orthodox Church.
- First Church of Otago (1873): This is one of Lawson's most famous works. It's a magnificent example of Gothic architecture.
- Port Chalmers Holy Trinity Anglican Church (1874): This church is still used today.
- St George's Anglican Church, Naseby (1875): This was the first church in New Zealand built using concrete!
- Knox Church, Dunedin (1876): Another very important church designed by Lawson, known for its grand style.
- East Gore Presbyterian Church (1881): This church is being turned into an arts center.
Banks and Business Buildings
Lawson also designed many banks and commercial buildings, which were important for the growing economy.
- Business premises for Bing Harris and Co. (1863): An early commercial building in Dunedin.
- Warehouse and offices for Sargood, King and Sargood (1863): Now part of the Dunedin Wesleyan Church.
- Bank of Otago, Oamaru (1871): A grand building that is now a branch of the ANZ Bank. It's a protected historic place.
- Business premises for George Gray Russell & Co. (1873): This building is still standing as the Trustees Executors Company Building.
- Union Bank of Australia (1874): A beautiful building in Dunedin, similar to the National Bank in Oamaru. It's now a nightclub.
- Bank of New Zealand, Arrowtown (1875): This bank is now part of the Lake District Museum.
- The Otago Corn and Wool Exchange Building (1879): Later called the Commerce Building, it's still standing today.
- Bank of New South Wales, Oamaru (1883): This building is now the Forrester Gallery.
Homes and Residences
Lawson designed many houses, from small cottages to large villas and even grand mansions.
- House for Robert and Jessie Lawson (1864): This was Lawson's own home in Dunedin.
- House “Brooklands” for J . P. Hepburn (1867): A house near Palmerston that still exists.
- Manse for First Church of Otago (1867): A two-story building made of Oamaru stone.
- House “Essequibo” for James Paterson (1870): A home for a relative of Lawson's wife.
- House “Fairy Knowe” for James Smith (1872): A house in Andersons Bay, Dunedin.
- House “Salisbury” for Donald Reid (1873): A large brick home that included an older building. It's a protected historic place.
- House ”Alyth” for Keith Ramsay (1874): This house in Dunedin is still standing and is a protected historic place.
- House for Dr Borrows (1875): A grand two-story brick house in the Palladian style, which is still standing and has been restored.
- Larnach Castle (1876): This is one of Lawson's most famous and impressive designs. It's a large, beautiful castle on the Otago Peninsula and is a very important historic place.
- Larnach Mausoleum (1881): A tomb designed for the Larnach family, located in the Dunedin Northern Cemetery.
Schools and Public Buildings
Lawson also designed schools and other buildings for the community.
- Free Church School (1857): One of his early school designs in Australia.
- Otago Benevolent Institution (1863): A building for public welfare in Caversham, Dunedin.
- South Dunedin District School (1864): This school is now a private home.
- Warden’s Court, Lawrence (1867): Later used as a Post Office, this building still exists.
- Fire Station (1878): A fire station in Harrop Street, Dunedin.
- Post Office and Government Building, Timaru (1879): A smaller version of his Dunedin Town Hall design. It's still there, but without its original clock tower.
- Dunedin Town Hall (1880): A very important public building in Dunedin.
- Gymnasium for Otago Boys High School (1882): A gym built on the school grounds.
- Seacliff Lunatic Asylum (1884): A large Gothic-style hospital. Even though the building is gone, the site is a protected historic place.
- Otago Boys' High School (1885): The "Tower Block" of the school, which is still used today and is a protected historic place.
- Garrison Hall (1886): A hall in Timaru with a special roof design.
Hotels
Lawson designed several hotels, providing places for travelers and locals to gather.
- Jopp’s Hotel (1866): A hotel near Balclutha.
- Star and Garter Hotel (1868): This hotel in Oamaru is still standing and is a very important historic place.
- Commercial Hotel, Lawrence (1867): A hotel in Lawrence.
- Otago Grand Hotel (1875): A large hotel in Dunedin.
- The Royal Hotel (1883): This hotel in Dunedin is still standing.
Other Interesting Works
- McKenzie Memorial Cairn (1902): This was Lawson's very last completed work. It was a tall stone monument honoring Sir John Mackenzie. It later collapsed and was replaced by a different one.
Lawson's work truly left a lasting mark on the cities he worked in, especially Dunedin. Many of his buildings are still admired today for their beautiful design and history.
Images for kids
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Artist George O'Brien created this watercolour painting in the 1860s showing a selection of Lawson’s designs
