Edward John McCoy ONZM (23 February 1925 – 17 January 2018), generally known as Ted McCoy, was a New Zealand architect whose practice was based in Dunedin.[1] He designed the sanctuary of St Paul's Cathedral (completed 1970), and the Richardson (formerly Hocken) Building of the University of Otago (completed 1979), among many others. In 1950, he established McCoy and Wixon Architects, joined in partnership by Peter Wixon in 1967.
Ted McCoy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Edward John McCoy 23 February 1925 |
| Died | 17 January 2018 (aged 92) Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Alma mater | Auckland University College |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Children | 13 |
| Awards | NZIA Gold Medal (2002) |
| Practice | McCoy and Wixon |
Biography
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McCoy was born on 23 February 1925[2] in Dunedin, the third of five children.[3] McCoy studied architecture at the University of Auckland, graduating in 1949. He moved back to his home city of Dunedin the following year, setting up an architectural practice in the city. His first major design was for the Dominican Order's Aquinas Hall, in the north of the city, (now an Otago University hall of residence, Aquinas College). The design won a Gold Medal as design of the year from the New Zealand Institute of Architects.[4]
McCoy's architectural influences included 1950s Californian architecture, Scandinavian modernism, and the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. He was also fascinated by the Victorian and Edwardian architecture of his home city.[3] Much of McCoy's work was Brutalist, though his awareness of the historic styles within Dunedin led him to create buildings which echoed history as well as presenting the modern. This was perhaps most noteworthy in the sanctuary of Dunedin's St Paul's Cathedral, where a modern addition was created for a much older structure.[3]
In 1967, McCoy set up a partnership with Peter Wixon to form McCoy and Wixon Architects. The firm won many institutional and governmental commissions, notably the Chancery for the New Zealand High Commission in Papua New Guinea.[3]
McCoy and his wife Nola had 13 children, two sons and 11 daughters, four of whom followed him into architectural design,[4] as has one of their 20 grandchildren.[3] He died at his home in Dunedin on 17 January 2018, aged 92.[5]
Works
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- Otago Boys' High School development[6]
- 1950 Aquinas College[6][7]
- 1970 St Paul's Cathedral sanctuary[6]
- 1973 Archway Lecture Theatre Complex[7]
- 1979 Richardson Building, formerly known as the Hocken Building[6][7]
- 1986 Castle Lecture Theatre Complex[7]
- 1969 University College[7]
- 1983 Broadwater (private home), Doctors Point, Waitati[8]
- 1991, 1999 East Taieri Presbyterian Church administrative and fellowship centre at the rear of the building.[9]
- 2000 Otago Museum atrium[6][10]
Recognition
edit- 2002 New Zealand Institute of Architects' gold medal for lifetime achievement in architecture.[1][6]
- 2005 Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to architecture and architectural heritage[11]
- 2008 Honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Otago[7]
- 2009 Dunedin Heritage Trust Bluestone Award[1]
McCoy was past national president, and a Fellow, of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Canadian Institute of Architects, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (London). He served as chairman of the Otago Historical Trust regional committee, and the national board of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.[3]
Legacy
editIn 2016, the New Zealand Institute of Architects inaugurated the Ted McCoy Award, to be presented annually, for design of education facilities.[12]
McCoy worked with photographer Gary Blackman on the book Victorian City of New Zealand (John McIndoe Ltd, Dunedin, 1968). He was a contributer to Historic Buildings of New Zealand: South Island (ed. F. Porter, Heritage New Zealand, Wellington, 1983). McCoy's career and buildings are recorded in the 2007 book, A Southern Architecture: The work of Ted McCoy, written by McCoy and published by Otago University Press.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c Benson, Nigel (24 March 2009). "Inaugural heritage awards presented". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
- ^ "Edward McCoy death notice". The New Zealand Herald. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cook, M., "Obituary: Edward John (Ted) McCoy", Architecture Now, 21 August 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ a b Somerset, G. "The Real McCoy,", New Zealand Listener, 25 October 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- ^ "Prominent Dunedin architect dies". Otago Daily Times. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f "Leading architect's stunning legacy". Otago Daily Times. 15 March 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f Gibb, John (9 December 2008). "Honorary degrees for pair". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
- ^ Vine, Gillian (9 March 2012). "Shaping the natural world". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ "East Taieri Presbyterian Church". New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero. Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
- ^ McIntosh, Peter (18 February 2008). "City shaped by architect's sure and graceful design". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
- ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2005". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 6 June 2005. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ "Ted McCoy Award for Education," NZIA. Retrieved 19 January 2018.