William Charles Chatfield

William Chatfield is known for his innovative reinforced masonry buildings that were often clad with elaborate High Victorian Classical facades.

He was born in Sussex and educated in Brixton, Surrey. He came to New Zealand at the age of 16 in 1867 and was immediately engaged in architectural work. He joined the Public Service in 1872 as Chief Draughtsman and Assistant Paymaster and Engineer in the Engineer’s Department of the Wellington Provincial Government. He held these positions until 1876 when provincial government was abolished. During this time he worked on the Thorndon reclamation and designed many bridges.

He went into private practice in 1876 and designed several large office and warehouse buildings such Kings Chambers, corner Willis and Willeston Streets (1902), the Wellington Opera House (1886), the Colonial Mutual Insurance Building, corner Customhouse Quay and Willeston Street (1897) and Stewart Dawson’s Corner (1900). Chatfield’s buildings were characterised by their enormous strength resulting from the use of heavy masonry reinforced with railway irons for foundations, cornices and columns.

Chatfield contributed to the foundation and development of the New Zealand Institute of Architects and was elected first president for the 1905-6 term. He was re-elected for the following term, 1906-7, and again in 1914-15. He also worked toward the placing of the New Zealand Institute of Architects Act 1913, on the Statute Book.

Image: "The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]" The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897, Wellington

Sources:
WCC Heritage Inventory 2001

Mew, Geoff & Adrian Humphris. “Raupo to Deco: Wellington Styles and Architects 1840 – 1940” (Wellington: Steel Roberts Aotearoa, 2014)