At the age of 93, renowned architect Sir Miles Warren passed away. One of New Zealand’s most significant architects, Warren created a number of eye-catching and significant structures beginning in the 1950s, including the Christchurch Town Hall.
Warren passed away on Tuesday evening at the age of 93, according to his niece Sarah Smith. She remarked, “He was an icon.”
How Did The legendary architect Sir Miles Warren Die?
A renowned architect who designed some of New Zealand’s most recognizable structures has passed away.
Yesterday, Sir Miles Warren, who was 93, passed away. New Zealander Miles Warren was an architect. After serving as Cecil Wood’s apprentice, he went on to study architecture at the University of Auckland before landing a job at the London County Council, where he first encountered British New Brutalism.
One of New Zealand’s greatest architects has died. Farewell and thank you, Sir Miles Warren (10 May 1929 – 9 August 2022).
— Dr Jessica Halliday (@jh_arch) August 10, 2022
Such a pleasure to work in a team with Miles to campaign to keep the Christchurch Town Hall after the earthquakes. pic.twitter.com/s3OuxXauJ5
A great architect named Sir Miles Warren has gone away. Warren, one of New Zealand’s most notable architects, designed the Christchurch Town Hall among many other striking and innovative buildings over a period of decades beginning in the 1950s.
Sir Miles Warren Cause of death
His niece, Sarah Smith, verified that Warren passed away at the age of 93, and she claimed that he was obsessed with architecture.
He had a quirky personality and was very dedicated to his career. That was all he knew.
Before it reopens, Sir Miles Warren, the original architect of Christchurch Town Hall, takes a tour of the building. (Video initially released in February 2019)
She stated that giving his Hinetahi residence and gardens to the country in trust was a part of his legacy to New Zealand. Over many years, he changed and repaired the homestead at the entrance to Lyttelton Harbour.
Early life
Warren, the son of Jean and Maurice Warren, was born in Christchurch on May 10, 1929. He received his education at Christ’s College. He began his architectural education as Cecil Wood’s apprentice and pursued correspondence studies in architecture at the Christchurch Atelier. Later, Warren relocated to Auckland to finish his undergraduate degree at the University of Auckland.
Warren appears to have been married and to have had children, but because of his decision to keep his wife and children private, little is known about them.
Career Miles Warren
Due to their small size and exposed concrete, The Dorset Street Flats, Warren’s first substantial building, received criticism for looking like a prison. They had been created in 1956.
The Harewood Crematorium (1963), Christchurch College (now known as College House) (1964), the Dental Nurses School (1958), the Architect’s personal office and home (1962), the Christchurch Town Hall (1964), and many other architectural styles quickly adopted this residential language (1972).
In between these larger projects, Warren & Mahoney built a number of wonderfully detailed houses, many of which were influenced by contemporary Danish designs. These houses were simple concrete block boxes painted white with punched, recessed window openings, steeply gabled roofs, and no eaves or verges.
Warren & Mahoney received the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) Gold Medal in 1959, 1964, 1969, and 1973. In 1966, the American Institute of Architects awarded them the Pan Pacific Citation, which was also given to Kenzo Tange and Harry Seidler.
Warren was given the NZIA Gold Medal as an individual in 2000. Warren and Peter Beaven are the only two architects from Christchurch to have won the New Zealand Institute of Architects gold prize twice.
Sir Miles Warren Awards and recognition
Warren & Mahoney received the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA), Gold Medal, in 1959, 1964, 1969, and 1973. In 1966 they received the American Institute of Architects` Pan Pacific Citation, an award additionally given to amongst others the architects Kenzo Tange and Harry Seidler.
Warren became provided the NZIA Gold Medal as a character in 2000. Warren and Peter Beaven are the most effective Christchurch architects who’ve been provided each the New Zealand Institute of Architects gold medal.
In the 1974 New Year Honours, Warren became appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, superior to Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire withinside the 1985 New Year Honours, and appointed to the Order of New Zealand withinside the 1995 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
In 2001 he obtained an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Auckland, and in 2003 he obtained an Icon Award from the Arts Foundation of New Zealand. In March 2009, Warren became venerated as one of the Twelve Local Heroes, and a bronze bust of him became unveiled out of doors the Christchurch Arts Centre.
For his eightieth birthday, his paintings became the idea of an exhibition at the Christchurch Art Gallery, which became additionally proven in the University of Auckland’s Gus Fisher Gallery in 2010.
In 2011 Warren became profiled on Artsville, a TVNZ arts documentary series.
Critics of his paintings and their effect on the Victorian architectural historical past of Christchurch encompass Duncan Fallowell, who has written: “his homes can not manipulate the handiest attributes of proper layout or benevolence”.
Sir Miles Warren Ceremony
“All of our work was really based on the structure, the shapes that emerged from the structure of the building, and the demonstration of how it was built,” Lord Miles told RNZ.

Sir Miles was the principal designer of many prestigious New Zealand facilities, including the Michael He Fowler Center in Wellington, the High Commission in New Delhi, and the New Zealand He Chancery in Washington, DC.
Warren and Mahoney’s partnership also undertook the extensive and costly task of redesigning, renovating, and enhancing the Capitol and its Library of Congress.
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His work received an honorary award from the New Zealand Institute of Architects in 1987 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Canterbury in 1992. In 2003, the Arts Foundation named him one of its first Icon His Artists.
Sir Miles was knighted in 1985 and made a Member of the Order of New Zealand ten years later.
Sir Miles retired to the Banks Peninsula in 1994, tending beautiful gardens and enjoying a vast collection of New Zealand art. He published his autobiography in 2008.
His funeral will be held at 2:00 pm on his August 18th at his chapel, Christchurch College.
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