Swan & Swan

Swan and Swan was a successful Wellington architecture practice of the 20th Century. It was founded by John Sydney Swan, along with his younger brother Francis in 1915.

Senior partner, John Sydney Swan was born in Wellington, the eldest of 13 children. His early architectural training was with the noted Wellington architect Frederick de Jersey Clere. Swan was articled to Clere and worked with his mentor on a number of designs, including the Wellington Rowing Club (then Naval Artillery Boat Shed) 1894, and several churches. From 1901-05 he was a partner with Clere. Among the buildings that survive from their partnership is Kelburn Chambers (or Stoneham’s Building), Lambton Quay (1905).

From 1905-1916 Swan practised on his own account. He is probably best known during this time for a series of major commissions for the Catholic Church, including Sacred Heart Convent, later Erskine College, Island Bay (1906); St Gerard’s Church (1908-10); Our Lady of Compassion Convent, Island Bay (1908-1921); Sacred Heart Convent, Wanganui (1911); and, with his brother, St Bede’s School, Christchurch (1919). Swan also designed a number of commercial buildings, including the now demolished National Bank head office (1907) and Clarendon Hotel, Wellington (1908), now “The Glasshouse”. One of Swan’s best known domestic designs is his own house, “The Moorings”, Thorndon (1905), which features imaginative use of nautical motifs. He was a keen sailor and a Commodore of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club.

Swan was first joined in practice by his brother Francis in 1915. Francis Swan (1885-1956) was the second youngest child in the Swan family. They were soon joined by Charles Lawrence who had previously been in partnership with Francis Penty, and the practice became Swan, Lawrence & Swan in 1919.

Sources:
Stones Directories 1915-1940; ATL 13/191/1
Kernohan D. and Kellaway T. 1994, Wellington’s Old Buildings, Victoria University Press pp 24-25
WCC Heritage Inventory 2001