Stephen Jelicich, New Zealand architect, Died at 92

  Dead Famous

Stephen Albert Jelicich was born on March 1, 1923, and died on December 19, 2015.

He was a New Zealand architect and historian.

Born on March 1, 1923 in Sućuraj in present-day Croatia, Stephen was the son of Victor and Srecka Jelicich.

The family emigrated to New Zealand in 1927, and Stephen became a naturalised New Zealander in 1928.

He was educated at Sacred Heart College, and later studied at Auckland University College, from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1949.

Stephen Jelicich married Barbara Jean McLennan in 1958.

In 1949, Stephen formed Brenner Associates in Auckland with fellow architects Desmond Mullen and Ron Grant and designer Milan Mrkusich.

As well as architectural work, the firm engaged in integrated interior, exhibition, lighting and furniture design.

In 1950, they established Auckland’s first modern design store, specialising in imported and local furniture, ceramics, woodwork and glass.

Brenner Associates were dissolved in about 1958, and Jelicich went into sole practice.

Around 1960, Stephen formed the Architects, Planning Group, with the aim of influencing planning issues in Auckland.

Stephen entered into partnership in 1963 with Rodney Davies, Ivan Mercep, John Austin and Graham Smith to form what would become JASMaD (later Jasmax, one of the largest architectural practices in New Zealand).

Stephen Jelicich passed away in Auckland on 19 December 2015.