type='image/x-icon'/> Ernst Plischke Buildings in New Zealand: 2012

Monday, December 10, 2012

Melrose Terrace Again...

I was recently down in Nelson, and I took the opportunity to check out the TOM GRIFFIN house, which Plischke designed in 1961. New owner Jan generously showed me around and is clearly determined that any renovations are going to be sympathetic to the original concept. From the chequerboard black-and-white vinyl tiles to the built-in storage to the utility space that makes servicing easy -- it shows all the hallmarks of Plischke's attention to detail, and it has a fantastic ocean viewe as well! This house is not listed in Sarnitz & Ottilinger's catalogue of Plischke's work, but the plans are from the Plishke & Fantl era (1960-62) and Bob Fantl confirms the house was designed for the son of the founder of the Griffins biscuit empire. The house seems to be in excellent hands. It needs a lot of work, but the new owners have the resources and motivation to do what is needed and do it well. The indoor spaces already work well, and even the old diesel-fired central heating works. The mode of indoor-outdoor living has changed a bit since 1961, so we can expect a few changes to the design of the patio areas.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Plischke House in Nelson

In May 2012, a "new" Plischke house was discovered. In Melrose Terrace, Nelson, Plischke designed a home for Tom Griffin, the son of the Griffins Biscuits founder. Not listed in Sarnitz & Ottilinger, the house is nevertheless well documented, with plans held by the Nelson City Council. Done while Plischke was in partnership with Bob Fantl (1960-62), this is the only known work of Plischke's in Nelson.