Pip Cheshire | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Cheshire in 2024 | |
| President of theNew Zealand Institute of Architects | |
| In office 2014–2016 | |
| Preceded by | David Sheppard |
| Succeeded by | Christina van Bohemen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Philip Maxwell Cheshire (1950-07-28)28 July 1950 Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Died | 11 February 2026(2026-02-11) (aged 75) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Practice |
|
| Buildings |
|
Philip Maxwell CheshireCNZM (28 July 1950 – 11 February 2026) was a New Zealand architect. One of the founding directors ofJasmax, and founder of Cheshire Architects, he was awarded theNew Zealand Institute of ArchitectsGold Medal in 2013. Between 2014 and 2016, Cheshire served as president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects.
Cheshire was born inChristchurch on 28 July 1950, the son of Gwynneth and Max Cheshire.[1] Born with the lower half of his right leg missing, Cheshire grew up in the seaside suburb ofSumner and became a keen surfer.[2][3] He was educated at Sumner School andChrist's College, and went on to study political science at theUniversity of Canterbury, graduating with aBachelor of Arts degree in 1974.[2][4][5] While at Canterbury, he wrote for the student newspaper,Canta.[2]
As a 16-year-old, Cheshire expressed a desire to become either an engineer or architect.[3] In 1976, he began studying architecture at theUniversity of Auckland, where his classmates includedMark Wigley,Jane Aimer,John Leijh,Lindley Naismith,Diane Brand, andGill Matthewson.[2][6]
While still an architecture student, Cheshire designedAuckland restaurant, The Melba, which led to his obtaining a number of commissions for residential dwellings after he graduated. He first set up architectural collective, Artifice, with fellow young graduates, and later joined withPete Bossley to form Bossley Cheshire Architects in 1984. In 1989, Bossley Cheshire merged with JASMaD and Gibbs Harris to form Jasmax, of which Cheshire was a director from 1989 to 2003, the final three years managing director. From 2003, he was in practice as Cheshire Architects, alongside his sonNat.[2][7][8]
Cheshire served as president of the Auckland Architecture Association in 2007 and chair of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) between 1998 and 2000.[9] In 2003, Cheshire was appointed adjunct professor of architecture at the University of Auckland.[10] From 2014 to 2016, he was the national president of the NZIA. During his tenure, he worked withNgā Aho, the society of Māori design professionals, includingHaare Williams,Rau Hoskins andElisapeta Heta, to formulateTe Kawenata o Rata, a covenant to formalise and invigorate the relationship between the NZIA and Ngā Aho.[11][12] Cheshire also served as a member of the Auckland urban design panel.[9]
In 2008, Cheshire collaborated with photographer Patrick Reynolds to produce a book on the New Zealandbach,Architecture uncooked: the New Zealand holiday house through an architect's eye.[9]
Cheshire died in Auckland on 11 February 2026, at the age of 75.[13][14]
The Congreve House, designed by Cheshire while at Bossley Cheshire and documented when he was at Jasmax, won an NZIA national award in 1994.[16] In 2003, Cheshire received a distinguished alumnus award from the University of Auckland.[17]
Cheshire was made a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Architects in 2007.[11][18] In 2013, he was awarded the New Zealand Institute of Architects Gold Medal, for outstanding contributions to the practice of architecture.[7][8]
In the2024 New Year Honours, Cheshire was appointed aCompanion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM), for services to architecture.[19]