Ivan Mercep

Ivan Mercep ONZM (22 February 1930 – 8 April 2014) was a New Zealand architect.

Ivan Mercep

ONZM
Museum of New Zealand
Te Papa Tongarewa
Born(1930-02-22)22 February 1930
Taumarunui, New Zealand
Died8 April 2014(2014-04-08) (aged 84)
Auckland, New Zealand
Alma materUniversity of Auckland
OccupationArchitect
Spouse(s)Halina Eva Trusz
AwardsNZIA Gold Medal (2008)
PracticeJASMaD (1963–89)
Jasmax (1989–2014)
BuildingsTe Papa
Waikato Museum

Early life and family

Born in Taumarunui in 1930 to a Croatian family,[1][2] Mercep was educated at Sacred Heart College, Auckland[3] and Auckland University College, from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1954.[4] He married Halina Eva Trusz,[5] and one of their sons is broadcaster Simon Mercep.[6]

Architectural practice

Following university, Mercep spent six years working and travelling overseas, before returning to New Zealand in 1960. After working with KRTA, he entered into partnership in 1963 with Rodney Davies, Stephen Jelicich and Graham Smith to form what would become JASMaD (later Jasmax, one of the largest architectural firms in New Zealand).[1] In 1964, he became a registered architect in New Zealand. He helped design Hoani Waititi Marae in West Auckland and Waipapa Marae at the University of Auckland.[7] Mercep was project architect for Samoa House / Maota Samoa on Auckland's Karangahape Road, designed to house the Samoan consulate-general, and completed in 1978. The building won a New Zealand Institute of Architects national award in 1980.[8]

  • Waipapa Marae, University of Auckland
  • Karangahape Road elevation of Samoa House (centre left)

Honours and awards

In the 1997 Queen's Birthday Honours, Mercep was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to architecture.[9] He was awarded the gold medal of the New Zealand Institute of Architects in 2008.[6]

References
  1. "New Zealand's best new buildings recognised". Scoop Independent News. 25 May 2008. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  2. Barton, Chris (12 July 2008). "Enduring legacy rewarded". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  3. "Updates" (PDF). Confortare. May 2004. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  4. "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: Me–Mo". shadowsoftime.co.nz. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  5. "Halina Mercep obituary". New Zealand Herald. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  6. "Te Papa museum architect dies". Radio New Zealand News. 8 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  7. "Mr Ivan Mercep". New Zealand Registered Architects Board. 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  8. Tone, Lama (2008). "Samoa House/Maota Samoa". In Gatley, Julia (ed.). Long live the modern. Auckland University Press. p. 211. ISBN 9781869404154.
  9. "Queen's Birthday honours list 1997". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 16 July 2020.


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