TypeAgencyDate Range8 February 1874 – 9 October 1948DescriptionEdmund Anscombe, born in Lindfield in Sussex, England, emigrated with his family to New Zealand in 1874, shortly after his birth. His family first resided in the Dunedin suburb of Caversham, though the family later relocated to a residence, "Cintra", in Andersons Bay.
He worked as carpenter's apprentice in Waiwera South, where he would meet his wife, Douglas Watt. He undertook a trip overseas in 1901 where he studied architecture and found work on the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, which would be the first of several large-scale exhibition projects he was involved in throughout his life.
He returned to New Zealand in 1906 and began his practice as an architect. He was appointed architect to the University of Otago council and designed five buildings for that organisation. He was also official architect for the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition, held in Dunedin in 1925-1926.
He moved in Wellington in 1929 and created many designs for both residential and commercial buildings through his firm Edmund Anscombe and Associates. He also worked as the official architect for the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition, held in Wellington over the years 1939 and 1940.
The New Zealand Centennial Exhibition Company Ltd records hold the proof of his legacy in this regard - his firm is credited with supplying drawings for the smallest elements, such as custom furniture pieces, through to the stand-out buildings of the exhibition such as the Centennial Tower.
