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.
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 |
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.