16 Facts About Joseph Maddison

Joseph Clarkson Maddison was a New Zealand architect.

Joseph Maddison trained as an architect in his native London and came to Canterbury at the age of 22.

Joseph Maddison's style was plain and utilitarian, and he specialised in the classical Italian mode.

Joseph Maddison's parents were the beer merchant John Maddison and Matilda Clarkson.

From age 17, Maddison studied in England under architect George Morris and at the National Art Training School.

Joseph Maddison apparently emigrated to Christchurch, New Zealand in 1872 on the Charlotte Gladstone but his name does not appear on the shipping list.

Joseph Maddison initially had an office in Cashel Street, but from 1878 to 1916 worked from an office in Hereford Street approximately opposite Liverpool Lane.

Joseph Maddison won two major competitions with his designs, including taking both first and second place in a competition to design Christchurch Town Hall in 1879.

The Government Building in Cathedral Square, which exemplify Joseph Maddison's restrained and pragmatic style, is modelled on Italian palazzo architecture.

Joseph Maddison entered the competition for the new Parliament Buildings in Wellington, after the original building burned down in 1907.

The competition received 33 entries, and Joseph Maddison's entry did not get amongst the first nine.

Joseph Maddison was known for his plain and utilitarian style, which suited the industrial design field in which he preferred to work.

Joseph Maddison tended to specialise in the classical Italian mode, rarely expanding into other, more baroque areas of architecture.

Joseph Maddison made forays into domestic gothic architecture with the Nurses' Home at Christchurch Hospital and the Zetland Arms Hotel, but these buildings were not as well-received as his usual work.

Joseph Maddison married Jane Midmore, the daughter of a surveyor, in 1873.

Joseph Maddison died on 11 December 1923 at Napier at age 73.