Collins and Harmon

The Christchurch architectural practice of Collins & Harman was established by William Barnett Armson in 1864, making it one of the oldest in New Zealand. Armson was a well-qualified architect and engineer, practising in Dunedin, Hokitika and then Christchurch. After serving his articles with Armson, John James Collins (1855-1933) bought the practice after Armson’s death in 1883, and took Richard Dacre Harman (1859-1927) into partnership four years later. Collin’s son, John Goodard Collins (1886-1973) joined the firm in 1903. Armson, Collins & Harman was one of Christchurch’s leading architectural practices in the early years of this century.

Notable examples of the firm’s work include the Christchurch Press Building (1909), Nazareth House (1909), the former Canterbury College Students Union (1927), the Nurses Memorial Chapel at Christchurch Public Hospital (1927), and the Sign of the Takahe (1936). Their domestic work includes Blue Cliffs Station homestead (1889) and Meadowbank, Irwell. In 1928 the firm’s name was simplified to Collins and Harman and it continued until the late 20th century as Collins Architects Ltd.

Always a versatile and competent practice, Collins and Harman designed a wide variety of building types in a range of styles, over a period of more than 130 years.

 

 

Sources:

Collins and Son, “A Century of Architecture,” (Christchurch: Carton Press, 1965)
NZHPT Glossary
WCC Heritage Inventory 2001.