Among the most forward-thinking architects of early 20th-century New Zealand were Edward Sidney (Sidney) Luttrell and his older brother Alfred Luttrell. Known professionally as S. & A. Luttrell, the brothers introduced modern building styles and construction methods that helped shape the skyline of Christchurch and beyond—including a notable presence in Timaru.
Born and trained in Launceston, Tasmania, Alfred and Sidney Luttrell formed a partnership in 1897, combining Alfred’s architectural skills with Sidney’s building and business experience. In 1902, they relocated to Christchurch, establishing a New Zealand practice that quickly made its mark.
The brothers brought with them ideas inspired by the Chicago skyscraper style, using steel-framed construction, exposed concrete, and new technologies that were rare in New Zealand at the time. Their buildings were strong, bold, and often ahead of their time.
The Luttrells gained a reputation for designing theatres, commercial buildings, Catholic churches, and especially racing grandstands—a personal passion for Sidney, who was part-owner of Sasanoff, the horse that won the Melbourne Cup in 1916. Among their many well-known works are the Theatre Royal in Christchurch (1906–07), King Edward Barracks, the New Zealand Express Company Building (later known as Manchester Courts), the Chapel at Mount Magdala, St Mary’s Convent Chapel (now the Rose Historic Chapel), and the Bandsmen’s Memorial Rotunda; they also remodelled the interior of Christchurch’s Odeon Theatre in 1927 and served as key architects for the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch in the early 20th century.
The South Canterbury Club building in Timaru, is distinctive for its attention to both the seaward and street-facing frontages, and its lantern roof, a design feature commonly used in billiard rooms of the time.
While many of their Christchurch buildings were lost in the 2010–11 earthquakes, several key examples, including the Theatre Royal, have survived. The Luttrell brothers are remembered for their pioneering use of modern construction methods, and their ability to blend bold design with durable form. Their work in Timaru remains a reminder of their broader legacy: two Tasmanian brothers who helped usher New Zealand architecture into the modern age.
Alfred Luttrell died in Christchurch in 1924, and Sidney followed in 1932.