Johannes La Grouw
Johannes La Grouw | |
|---|---|
 Self portrait, 2001 | |
| Born | 24 August 1913 Amsterdam, the Netherlands |
| Died | 20 September 2011 (aged 98) Rotorua, New Zealand |
| Spouse |
Johanna Hillegonda Lalk
(m. 1939–2009) |
| Parent(s) | Johannas La Grouw Maria Elizabeth La Grouw, Dieperveen |
Johannes La Grouw OBE (24 August 1913 – 20 September 2011) was a Dutch-born New Zealand architect, engineer, businessman, artist and philanthropist. La Grouw developed a special patented house manufacturing system constructed of solid wood that eventually became a New Zealand icon for housing that can withstand the forces of nature, yet fit in nicely with them.
Background[edit]
La Grouw was educated at Higher Technical School for Architecture and Engineering. He was a building contractor in Amsterdam, Holland, from 1948 to 1951. He was founding director of Lockwood Buildings Ltd. He was a life member of Outward Bound Trust.[1]
New Zealand company[edit]
La Grouw and Johannes Van Loghem (the co-founders of Lockwood Homes) began their unique company in 1951, by importing prefabricated homes from the Netherlands when Dutch migrants brought in crates of their own homes because of a building shortage.[2] The company flourished and became a big player in the New Zealand construction industry.
Honours[edit]
In the 1991 Queen's Birthday Honours, La Grouw was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the building and construction industry.[3]
La Grouw was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2007 for his revolutionary house construction system and contributions to business in New Zealand and abroad.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ Taylor, Alister. NEW ZEALANDERS WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN PEACE AND WAR. THE NEW ZEALAND ROLL OF HONOUR, 1845-1995, p. 612.
- ^ Campbell, Phil (21 September 2011). "Lockwood founder dies in Rotorua". Rotorua Review. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ "No. 52564". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 15 June 1991. p. 30.
- ^ "Johannes Le Grouw". New Zealand Business Hall of Fame. Retrieved 23 January 2017.