Frank Peck, F.R.I.B.A.

Progress, Volume XII, Issue 8, 1 April 1917, Page 921

Frank Peck, F.R.1.8.A.

We hear frequently how the ranks of our professional friends in England have been depleted for the firing line and necessary military work all over the country. Private work had to give way to public necessity in England, and many architects have found themselves looking round for fresh fields and pastures new at a time of life when they should be looking forward to the fruits of their years of labour. This latter reason has brought an architect to New Zealand of wide reputation in England, some

dent of the Royal Institute of British Architects, who designed many great buildings round the Mansion House and Bank in the City of London. He afterwards became chief assistant to Mr. Aston Webb (now Sir Aston Webb, K.C.V.0., C. 8., R.A., F.S.A., late President R.1.8.A.) and served for about eight years during his notable collaboration with the late Mr. E. Ingress Bell, the chief architect at the War Office, England, and he took a part in the preparation of many working drawings and plans. During this period the collaboration mentioned produced many works well known to architects; amongst which were the Birmingham Law Courts

of whose work we are reproducing in this issue. Mr. Frank Peck, F.R.1.8.A., was articled in the

cathedral city of Lincoln, England, then called to London to assist the late Edward J. Anson, Presi-

and Police Offices; the United Service Institution; Inigo Jones’ old Banqueting Hall in Whitehall (adapted and extended); Christs’ Hospital, Horsham; Metropolitan Life Assurance building, etc.; and Sir Aston Webb’s sole works “Pevcrcy,” Shropshire, “Austin Friars” offices, various hospitals, church works (new and restoration), schools, mills and factories, etc. During this period Mr. Peck studied the antique, and his measured work of Lincoln Cathedral has been reproduced in some English papers. Twenty years ago he commenced practice in Old Queen Street, Westminster, and the designing of breweries and factories first came in his way, but soon the practice developed into domestic work, and eventually the less profitable routine of church work; in his domestic and church work there is shown the endeavour to continue the correct architectural tradition of the “Elizabethian to Jacobean”

style in the domestic work, and the best of the "Gothic" styles (influenced somewhat by the French flamboyant) in the ecclesiastical work. Recently much of his work has been noticed and illustrated in the Architectural papers at Home. The best of his recent works are:—St. Paul's church, Kingston Hill, Surrey; St. James' church, Streatham, London. In St. Saviour's church, St. Albans', Herts, rood screen, Lady Chapel interior, silver fronted altar, and much tabernacle work, etc.; stone pronaos to church. St. Peter's, Woodhall Spa; tabernacle work and arcading; design for tower and spire. St. Agnes, Spital, Windsor—new aisle, etc.

ford (not built) ; and smaller works such asDoctors' House, Gold Hill, Bucks; Thames side bungalows, etc., most of which have been published in England.

Just before the war Mr. Peck took part in the last great Government competition for the Board of Trade Offices in Whitehall, Westminster, and about fifteen months ago, on advice, came with his family to Wellington, whence he migrated to Nelson where since his arrival he has been commissioned to design the permanent Presbyterian Church at Motueka, Avhich successfully went out to tender, and is now rapidly approaching completion.

St. Mary's, Rickmansworth, altar work, etc. to cemetery chapel. . "Ponds Farm," Beaconsfield,

Bucks; "PetAvood," Lincolnshire; "Tunmers," Chalfont Grove, Bucks; Sugar beet factory for Slea-

In July last in New Zealand he competed locally for and won— important open competition to rebuild the Old Peoples' Home "The Alexandra Home" at Nelson.

Mr. Peck is a contributor to the Press in England on architectural subjects, having written articles on church work and hospital planning. An article from his pen will appear in these pages next month.

"The nice plain room, straight lines and four angles, as homelike as an abandoned barn, and as cheerful as a camp fire put out by the rain. This we call simplicity.

"Decoration can never give or increase the expression of unselfishness; while it may often give that of ostentation, a particular form of selfishness." "You cannot "hide by ornament the want of art," still less the want of thought and study." Garbett.