Architecture builds family | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

A nearly century-old Masterton architecture firm is proving the saying "like father, like son".

Darryl Silverwood, 52, will welcome the youngest member to his firm's staff next week: his son, James.

The 23-year-old is about to graduate from Victoria University with a master's degree in architecture and will one day take over the reins from his father at DJ Silverwood Architects.

Darryl took charge of the small firm from Neil Inkster 20 years ago and said he was proud to now bring his son into the fold.

James not only attended Victoria University like his father, he was taught by several of the same lecturers.

James said he was inspired to take up architecture at secondary school after a childhood spent gazing over his father's shoulder at concept drawings.

DJ Silverwood Architects was founded in 1922 as Watson Gooder and Lee.

The firm has designed some of Masterton's largest buildings, including Wairarapa College's new hall and buildings for Briscoes and Farmers.

James said the advantage of working in a small firm in a town such as Masterton was that he would be able to work on big projects as well as small ones.

"The bigger city firms do the bigger projects and you might get stuck doing the same apartment for a year."

While he officially begins work next week, the younger Silverwood has already helped his father on designs for Hood Aerodrome and an office building for MB Brown, builders.

Darryl said once his son graduated and passed a further exam in three years' time he could become a registered architect.

If he decided to take charge of the firm, the older Silverwood joked, he hoped he kept his old man on for a few more years.