Charles Tilleard Natusch

Who was Charles Tilleard Natusch?

Lewis Tilleard Natusch, but always known as Charles, 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 near Wanganui, through Tudor style like Maungaraupi in Marton. Other examples of his work that reflect his use of local materials are Erewhon near Taihape, Matapiro in Hawke's Bay, and Atawhai 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.