Tibor Donner
Tibor Donner | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 September 1907 |
| Died | 11 March 1993 (aged 85) |
| Nationality | Hungarian |
| Occupation | Architect |
Tibor Donner (19 September 1907 – 11 March 1993) was a Austro–Hungarian born New Zealand architect, who was the chief architect for the Auckland City Council from 1947-1967.
Personal life
Tibor Karoly Donner was born in Szabadka,
The family immigrated to
Donner married Margaret Bennett in 1934. The couple had one child, a daughter also called Margaret. Tibor Donner died at Auckland on 11 March 1993, survived by his wife and his daughter. His work left an enduring legacy to the people of Auckland.[1]
Design
Donner's designs incorporated styles from North and South America which were often reflective of
Donner's stylistic influences are particularly evident in the Auckland City Council Administration Building. The building draws significantly from the design principles espoused by Le Corbusier. Donner had visited New York City in 1956 to study Lever House and was aware of emerging contemporary styles (such as those of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe) but chose to reject them. It is significant that Donner had turned away from the more minimal contemporary style of building and the extensive use of glass, since this style is now very common in Auckland.[2]
List of works
Public buildings
| Year | Building | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1937 | Newmarket Post Office | [formerly located at 180 Broadway, Newmarket - demolished in 1999] |
| 1941 | Michael Joseph Savage Memorial | 36°50′44″S 174°49′34″E / 36.845646°S 174.826103°E |
| 1943 | Avondale Military Hospital (now Avondale College ) |
36°53′27″S 174°41′25″E / 36.8907°S 174.6903°E |
| 1947 | Khyber Pump Station | 36°51′57″S 174°45′41″E / 36.865759°S 174.761482°E |
| 1951 | Auckland City Council Housing Developments | [various locations in Freemans Bay and Parnell] |
| 1951-54 | Parnell Baths | 36°50′57″S 174°47′29″E / 36.849247°S 174.791364°E |
| 1953-57 | Vehicle Testing Station | [formerly located at 285 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn - now demolished] |
| 1954-60 | Administration Building (Greys Ave) | 36°51′10″S 174°45′43″E / 36.852844°S 174.76194°E |
| 1958 | Auckland Centennial Memorial | (Auckland Domain) 36°51′27″S 174°46′29″E / 36.857638°S 174.774706°E |
| 1959-61 | Pioneer Women’s & Ellen Melville Memorial Hall (now the Ellen Melville Centre) | 36°50′52″S 174°46′01″E / 36.847657°S 174.766916°E |
| 1960-61 | Pt Erin Baths | 36°50′20″S 174°44′27″E / 36.839011°S 174.740791°E |
| 1961-64 | Victoria St Parking Building | 36°50′57″S 174°45′59″E / 36.849038°S 174.766429°E |
| 1966 | Glen Innes Public Library | 36°52′45″S 174°51′24″E / 36.879261°S 174.8567°E |
| 1970 | Green Bay Kindergarten | 36°55′49″S 174°40′31″E / 36.930229°S 174.675355°E |
Houses
Aside from his work for the Auckland City Council and the Public Works Department, Donner also designed several houses in the hills around Titirangi. His former house is located in Kohu Road, but he also designed several others in the surrounding area for his friends.[3]
References
- ^ a b "'Tibor Donner' (updated 20-Dec-2012)". New Zealand History Online. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
- ^ Tsow, David (1 February 2013). "Skyscraper was ahead of its time". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- ^ "DONNER, Tibor". Lost Property. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
