Grierson, Aimer and Draffin

Grierson, Aimer and Draffin were an influential Auckland practice that is best known for their winning entries in the Wellington Citizen’s War Memorial (Cenotaph) and Auckland War Memorial Museum design competitions. The partnership was formed in 1922 by Hugh Cresswell Grierson (1886-1953), Kenneth Walter Aimer (1891-1960) and Keith Draffin.

Keith Draffin was born in Auckland and educated at Auckland Grammar School. His architectural apprenticeship began in 1906 with J.W. Walker and in 1910 he joined the practice of Edward Bartley. He became a full partner in 1914 when the firm became known as Edward Bartley and Son and M.K. Draffin. He served with the N.Z. Field Engineers in World War I and following the war he travelled in Europe and attended the Architectural Association School in London.  On his return to New Zealand he became sole partner in the firm of Edward Bartley and Son and M.K. Draffin.

Hugh Cresswell Grierson practiced as an architect prior to the First World War. He served in the New Zealand Army and remained overseas to continue his studies at the Architectural Association in London where he became an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He returned to New Zealand and went into partnership with Kenneth Walter Aimer (1891-1960), a fellow student in London. 

Kenneth Walter Aimer was educated at Auckland Teachers' Training College and Auckland University College. He served in the Auckland Infantry Regiment and was wounded at Passchendaele. He became a registered architect in 1918, and traveled to England to continue his studies.

Grierson, Aimer and Draffin won the New Zealand Institute of Architects gold medal for the Auckland War Memorial Museum in 1929 and went onto design a number of buildings in a stripped Classical, and later an Art Deco style. Their work includes the Parnell Public Library, Auckland (1923), Wellington Citizens War memorial (1929) and the former South British Insurance Company building in Auckland (1927 – 28). The practice dissolved in 1932 and Draffin went on to design the Wellington branch of the South British Insurance Company (1936). He was president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects in 1951-2.

Image: Hugh Grierson, Keith Draffin and Kenneth Aimer from the collection of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

 

Sources:

“Glossary of Architects, Engineers and Designers,” NZHPT, Wellington, 1990 

“Grierson, Aimer, and Draffin – Architectural Partnership”, NZHPT Professional Biographies (c.2013)

Kelly, Michael.  “Report for the WCC Sunset Review Committee,” 1998

Salmond, J. “Auckland War Memorial Conservation Plan,” Salmond Architects, Auckland (1996)

"Kenneth Walter Aimer", Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph:He Toa Taumata Rau accessed March 2017  http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C20514