Maurice & I
MAURICE & I SYNOPSIS
Throughout the 60s and 70s an architectural revolution took place in New Zealand largely led by two young Christchurch architects, Miles Warren and Maurice Mahoney. Their partnership, which spanned 37 years, gave rise to a uniquely New Zealand modernist movement that was to influence a generation of architects.
Miles and Maurice met as sixteen year old students of Christchurch’s architectural Atelier. Aside from their shared interest in architecture,the two young men had little in common. Miles was born and raised in the wealthy suburb of Fendalton, Maurice was born to a working-class family in London’s East End. Miles was Christ’s College educated, while Maurice attended the very ‘low-brow’ Christchurch Technical College. Miles was affable and flamboyant, Maurice shy, quiet and studious. This ‘unlikely’ pairing proved to be the perfect partnership of opposites - the creator and the maker - the designer and the master of detail
the eloquent front man and the quiet, reserved sidekick.
The fruits of this remarkable partnership, their approach to design, signature use of materials and the influence they had on their architectural peers, transformed the face of Christchurch. Within a short decade it was to shrug off its reputation for somewhat stuffy Georgian and neo-gothic architecture for a distinctive ‘brutalist’ style that was bold, modern and often controversial.
Then in 2011, a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit central Christchurch. 185 lives were lost, and the massive force of the quake caused widespread destruction across the city. Over 1800 central city buildings and thousands of houses were destroyed, or later demolished, including almost the entire built legacy of Warren and Mahoney.
Among the buildings which suffered major damage was the Christchurch Town Hall, regarded by many, including the architects themselves, as their finest work. Internationally renowned for its elegant, brutalist form and sophisticated interiors, the Christchurch Town Hall revolutionised the design approach to performance spaces and acoustic engineering.
As the Christchurch Town Hall’s fate hangs in the balance, Miles Warren and Maurice Mahoney reflect on their remarkable partnership.
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Port Hills Fire Regeneration
In response to the 2024 Port Hills fire this fund has been established to assist with the regeneration of endemic natives in the impacted area.
There is scientific evidence that natives are more fire resistant and can significantly contribute to the resilience and protection of at-risk ecosystems and communities.
The funds raised will be actively managed by The Christchurch Foundation and distributed with support of the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust and Te Kākahu Kahukura. These two reputable entities are already working in the impacted area and have extensive experience in the establishment of native plants in a best practice manner with participating landowners (private/public and charitable).
Funding could be applied not only to securing new plants but could also include pest management, weeding and other activities to support the regeneration of the area safely.
The intent is to help increase the fire protection on the port hills as well as also increasing the biodiversity of the area.
Green Philanthropy Fund
The Green Philanthropy Fund has been developed to accelerate positive environmental change in Waitaha Canterbury.
Future thinking must be applied to quickly address the big environmental issues we are facing. Our goal is to make it easier for businesses and individuals to give to science-led innovation, and to increase the pool of funding available to those individuals and groups striving to improve and protect our ecosystems.
