Louis Hay

Who was Louis Hay?

James Augustus Louis Hay was a prominent New Zealand architect. He designed many new Art Deco buildings in Napier after the 1931 earthquake that had destroyed much of the town.

After leaving Napier Boys' High School he worked for Charles Tilleard Natusch's architectural practice. His later work is influenced by his time spent with Natusch and his interest in Frank Lloyd Wright, the Arts and Crafts Movement and Art Nouveau.

In the early part of the 20th century Hay setup his own practice doing mostly houses for wealthy Hawke's Bay residents. Although one of his best works was the National Tobacco Company building initially completed in the 1920s.

After the event of the Napier earthquake in 1931 where his wife was severely injured, Hay joined the Napier Reconstruction Committee. He helped ensure that local architects had control over the large rebuilding task instead of architects from other parts of the country.

In Napier he was known not only for his architecture but for his other interests including boat building, waterskiing, acting and playing the flute.