Ernst Plischke

Ernst Anton Plischke (June 26, 1903 – 23 May, 1992) was an Austrian-New Zealand modernist architect, town planner and furniture designer whose work is well known throughout Europe and New Zealand.

Early years Plischke was born in the town of Klosterneuburg near Vienna (Austria) in 1903. His father worked as an architect and his mother came from a family of cabinet-makers. From an early age he spent time in workshops and studios, before studying interior- and furniture-design at Vienna's College of Arts and Crafts at 16. From 1943 to 1947 he worked for the Department of Town Planning producing work in areas including: Naenae, Trentham, Tāmaki and Mangakino. He also completed private work during this time, including the Frankel House in Christchurch (for Otto Frankel), which was his first commission. Frankel House is a Category 2 entry on the Heritage New Zealand register.

Although Plischke was an internationally recognised architect, he struggled to gain acceptance within New Zealand’s architectural community. He refused to undertake additional examinations to join the New Zealand Institute of Architects, believing his qualifications and experience should have sufficed.

In 1947, he unsuccessfully applied to be chair of design at the School of Architecture at Auckland University College.

Plischke died aged 89, in Vienna on 23 May 1992.