Charles Tilleard Natusch

Charles Tilleard Natusch

Lewis Tilleard Natusch, but always known as Charles, (4 October 1859 – 16 July 1951) was a noted New Zealand architect and quantity surveyor, known particularly as a builder of fine houses for wealthy clients.

Born and raised in London, England, he trained there as an architect, travelled to the United States and Canada in 1882-3, returned to England, and departed with his wife, Ada, and their first two sons, for New Zealand in 1886.

For the next 30 years, Natusch established himself between Wellington and Hawke's Bay particularly as a builder of fine houses in a variety of styles. These ranged from those that displayed an Italian influence, such as Bushy Park (1905) near Wanganui, through Tudor style like Maungaraupi (1906) in Marton. Other examples of his work that reflect his use of local materials are Erewhon (1898) near Taihape, Matapiro (1907) in Hawke's Bay, and Atawhai (1908) in Palmerston North. He also introduced innovations into commercial and industrial buildings as well as churches.

Charles and Ada had ten children, with three of the sons, Aleck, Rene and Stanley, becoming architects and quantity surveyors and carrying on the family firm as Natusch & Sons. Rene's son, Guy Natusch, continued the family firm until his retirement around 1997.