William Bloomfield (architect)

William Swanson Read Bloomfield (1885 – 1 December 1969) was a New Zealand architect and aviator considered to be the first person of Māori descent to attend architecture school and practice as an architect.^[1] Many of his buildings are registered with Heritage New Zealand.

Bloomfield, of Ngāti Kahungunu descent, was born in Gisborne, Colony of New Zealand, in 1885.^[1][2] His parents were Thomas E. Read Bloomfield and Mary Swanson, and they were a prominent family in Manutuke.^[1] Mary Swanson was the daughter of colonist William Swanson and Ani Rangitunoa.^[3][4] Bloomfield's father died when he was five years old, so his maternal grandfather was a key figure in his upbringing.^[1]

Bloomfield was one of the first New Zealanders to enrol in architecture at an American university – the University of Pennsylvania.^[5] He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1913, and moved to England to study what was likely architecture.^[1][2]

While Bloomfield was studying architecture in England, World War I broke out.^[4] Bloomfield joined the Royal Flying Corps and was commissioned as an officer in October 1915.^[6] He served in World War I as a captain in 57 Squadron.^[4] A cable from 1916 directed to Bloomfield's mother reports him in the Red Cross Hospital, Rouen, with a gunshot wound to the knee.^[4] In March 1917, Bloomfield's F.E.2d was shot down behind enemy lines and he became a prisoner of war; he was held in Holzminden prisoner-of-war camp, Germany, and others.^[4] He was repatriated after the war and returned to New Zealand.^[4]

William served in World War II in the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a squadron leader and North Island divisional commander.^[1]

Bloomfield practiced architecture in New Zealand for nearly 40 years, from the 1920s until his retirement in 1959.^[2] He first practiced as part of the firm Bloomfield and Hunt and then as Bloomfield, Owen and Morgan.^[1] He engaged in many different styles, such as Chicago, Art Deco and Spanish mission, before turning to mid-century modernism later in his career.

Bloomfield designed a number of houses in the early years of his career, but his work was disrupted by the 1930s Great Depression.^[1] His work was disrupted again by World War II.^[1]

In the 1950s, Bloomfield designed a large number of residential properties.^[1] In 1954, Home & Building published a small excerpt centred on Bloomfield.^[3] It stated his interest in Italian bronzes, English and Chinese ceramics and water colours.^[3] In 1957, Bloomfield was made a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Architects.^[7] He retired two years later at the age of 74.^[7]

Yorkshire House was erected by the Yorkshire Insurance Company and designed by Bloomfield under the partnership Bloomfield & Hunt.^[8] The eight-storey building is an example of Chicago-style architecture and had a positive reception in Auckland when built.^[8] It was modern in its use of hot water central-heating, electric lighting and large windows, all to ensure the comfortability and longevity of work.^[8]

Yorkshire House is a Historic Place Category One registered on the New Zealand Heritage List.^[9]

Hotel Titirangi, now known as Lopdell House, was designed by Bloomfield under his partnership firm Bloomfield, Owen and Morgan.^[3] The hotel was built in the Spanish Mission style and could accommodate around 60 guests.^[7] The hotel was promoted as an international destination but struggled to function due to the onset of the Great Depression.^[10]

Hotel Titirangi (former), in addition to its connected Treasure House and Te Uru Gallery, is a Historic Place Category One registered on the New Zealand Heritage List.^[11]

Station Hotel was built to complement the new Auckland railway station across the road.^[12] The developers wanted to construct a hotel to American standards, and having studied in America, Bloomfield understood their standards for commercial hospitality.^[12] It was one of the few buildings constructed during the Great Depression.^[12] Included in the design are Art Deco capitals with references to Māori designs.^[12] In the 1930s, the building was known to be frequented by Labour members of parliament and in the 1940s, by American soldiers.^[12]

Station Hotel is a Historic Place Category Two registered on the New Zealand Heritage List.^[13]

Binney House is located in Parnell, Auckland, and was built in 1935 in the Arts and Crafts style.^[1] Bloomfield designed Binney House for woolbroker and auctioneer, Edwin Heselden Binney and his wife Mary.^[1] Built around the end of the Great Depression of the 1930s, this house was one of Bloomfield's first designs as New Zealand began to rebound from the recession.^[1] A key feature of Bloomfield's design is its Marseilles tile roof.^[1]

Binney House is a Historic Place Category Two registered on the New Zealand Heritage List.^[14]

Other notable works by Bloomfield are the Georgian-style Queen's Arcade (1928–1929), the Masonic Temple on St Benedict's Street (1929–1930), Auckland Aero Clubhouse, and St Augustine's Church, Devonport (1930).^[1][15] The Arts and Crafts style St Augustine's Church contained a memorial commemorating local men who died in World War I, which included Bloomfield's brother-in-law.^[1] It is another one of Bloomfield's designs on the Historic Place Category Two.^[15]

In 1929, Bloomfield married Rhoda Gribbin at Holy Trinity Church, Devonport.^[4] Bloomfield was a foundational member of the Auckland Aero Club.^[4]

• Online Cenotaph at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum – William Swanson Read Bloomfield.