From Trengrove to Totem
Hilgendorf wing at Lincoln University (1968).
St Georges Hospital (1980s until now).
Totem Studio Architects’ present-day office.
Few of this country's architecture practices can claim more than 100 years in business and perhaps even fewer can trace their roots to one of New Zealand's most acclaimed architects.
Notable Christchurch architect William Trengrove first founded his practice in 1922 and he was later joined by his son John, who gained a diploma in architecture from The University of Auckland in 1954. The late Sir Miles Warren worked alongside the father and son duo before setting up his own practice in 1955 and forming Warren and Mahoney with Maurice Mahoney in 1958.
Following the death of his father in 1953, John Trengrove was joined by Keith Marshall as a partner and the company became Trengrove, Trengrove & Marshall. When Marshall retired in 1976, Richard Blunt became a director and the business was renamed Trengrove & Blunt Architects.
On John’s retirement in 1994, John’s son William became a director, marking the third generation of Trengroves to work in the practice. When Blunt stood down in 2005, David McKay and Daryl Partridge joined William and, on William’s retirement in 2019, Ian Cattoen-Gilbert joined McKay and Partridge as a director.
The practice, now operating under the new name of Totem Studio Architects, will celebrate its centenary in October with an open studio showcasing historical photos and drawings from throughout the years.
For more information on Totem Studio go to www.totemstudio.co.nz.
