Gerald Melling

Who was Gerald Melling?

Gerald John Melling was an English-born, Architect, Poet, Novelist, Journalist, Author and Editor.

Gerald Melling came to his craft by an unconventional route and he brings his unique brand of Liverpudlian humour and a fair measure of Beatles'-style anti-establishmentarianism to the poetic little buildings he nurtures.

He wrote his first novel before he was even 20 years old,a free and restless spirit who has pursued his passions for architecture, literature and journalism for more than four decades. Also one of the most controversial speaker of his time, he is witty and at times his caustic comments may have offended many.

Nobody’s soldier that was a word to describe Gerald Melling.

He believed low cost housing did not have to be drab and dull, but instead could be innovative and inspirational.

In 2010, he told The Dominion Post: ‘‘I wanted to show that architects could work on a modest level. I love architecture, but not the profession. How professional is it to turn away someone with $300,000 and say, ‘I can’t work with you unless you have $800,000’.’’