Bruce Dickson started an architectural practice in his home town of Wanganui in 1967.  Prior to that he attended Auckland University and attained a degree in architecture before travelling to the UK to obtain further experience.  In 1976 he was joined in practice by another Wanganuite, Barry Lonergan.  Together they built a practice which extended to 5 offices spread throughout New Zealand.  In 2011 Bruce retired from that practice (now called DLA architects) but continued to work as a consultant to that practice.

He has now formed a new practice with architects Elinor McDouall and Robert Jaunay with whom he has worked for a number of years.  They work in collaboration as Architecture West or individually in their own right.

I am committed to the philosophies of modern architecture and believe in the importance of relating these philosophies to the New Zealand situation.  Architecture should be relevant to and influenced by our culture and our environment.  We must be proud of this and reflect these influences in our design solutions.  We must also be conscious of our relatively short history and strive to understand and ensure that – for with an understanding and respect for the past we are likely to be more successful in building for the future.

Bruce Dickson has a particular interest in the conservation of the built and national environment in the Whanganui Region.  He has been active for more than 30 years in campaigning to conserve heritage buildings.  This has included the conservation work on the buildings themselves and even the purchase of them to ensure long term conservation.

He is a Co-Founder of Mainstreet Wanganui and currently chair of the Mainstreet Design Heritage Committee

A Co-founder and Trustee of the Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust

A Member of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust