Sir Miles WARREN Obituary

Farewell Sir Miles. Thank you for your great contribution to New Zealand architecture and in particular my Mother's house and your assistance in selecting Andrew Patterson as the architect for The Len Lye Centre.
You have left Lynda and I with an extraordinary circular, all glass, in a lake, building that we will construct some day. Happy memories of conviviality at Ohinetahi.
John and Lynda Matthews.

I would just like to express my condolences to Sir Miles' wider family and also to the directors and staff of Warren and Mahoney Architects. I remember well Miles' interaction with me when I first started promoting our services and products to the firm some forty years ago when we were a tiny start-up and I had the temerity to front up to the gate guardian Bill Fox, and was courteously introduced to Miles, Maurice, Barry and the team all of whom were equally courteous and interested in who we were and what we did. This reflected on the nature of Sir Miles himself. He was a true gentleman worthy of every respect and I feel privileged to have known him. And I haven't even started on his beautiful watercolour renderings!!
Brian Greenall
Equus Industries

Thirty years ago I was Director at The Arts Centre. We were in the throes of ongoing maintenance and conservation of the buildings. Miles generously offered his services at no charge.
I vividly remember looking up from Worcester Boulevard over the Tower Block (main entrance) There was our much valued on-site carpenter, Jim Loper and Miles standing atop the roofline ridge - no safety harnesses or things of that sort and in their normal day wear, discussing what needed doing. An ordinary bloke and a knight of the realm getting on with the job and enjoying each others company as was demonstrated continually over following months.
In my experience Miles was a terrific but very humble person who gave not only of his considerable architectural expertise but also of his charming character and generous personality.

My memory of Sir Miles was visiting Ohinetahi on a Garden Tour connected to the Ellerslie flower show in the days before the earthquake. This was the only garden I remember from the tour. Sir Miles talked with a passion about his home and the garden rooms - I found it fascinating at the time as I really had no idea of his work ( being a North Islander) I used some ideas from the garden in my own. He also allowed us to view some rooms in his home. I did see a meagre amount of his work with the Christchurch Town Hall and at College House where 2 sons resided while at Canterbury. A lovely gentleman and such a generous gift to leave his property to the people.

A wonderful and clever neighbour, we loved him in the
Head of the Harbour community.
D & H.

WARREN,
Sir Frederick Miles (Miles):

Thanks Miles. Thanks for the adventures and the memories.
Farewell -Malcolm Hislop.