Ambrico Kiln. New Lynn. Auckland New Zealand. - Ovens and Kilns on Waymarking.com

This predominantly brick building was originally part of the Gardner Brothers and Parker Brickworks (established in 1902). These works at one stage employing 70 men were later absorbed into the Amalgamated Brick and Pipe Company. (Hence the name "Ambrico", adopted around 1946).

The following information is provided by the Salmond Reed Architects, Heritage and Conservation Architects Website.

"The downdraft kiln was designed in 1926 by Athol Miller and was used mainly for firing red facing bricks of which it was able to produce about fifteen thousand per week. While the kiln probably had lean-to roofs along the sides to provide shelter, it is believed that the gable roof structure was a 1980s addition constructed during the building’s later use as a storage facility. The kiln operated for some thirty years producing bricks and the last recorded batch of bricks fired there in 1957 are believed to have gone into the construction of a Presbyterian Church in Greenlane. While still considered operational at that time, this kiln was unable to produce the type of clinker bricks in vogue during the 60s and this drawback hastened its demise.

New Zealand Historic Places Trust records mark the kiln’s final closure in 1973 but the buildings were used for non-manufacturing and storage purposes. In 1983 New Lynn Borough Council managed, despite opposition from the then owners, Ceramco, to include the kiln in its Register of Items of Special Interest and the following year the council resolved to have the structure registered with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and to have a Protection Notice put in place.

The surrounding yard was sold for a housing development completed in 1988, but the kiln was preserved and restored within a surrounding reserve and in 1992 an ancillary building was erected alongside the kiln for the purpose of displaying pottery memorabilia."

Type of Oven / Kiln: Brick Status: Historical Site Operating Dates: 1926 - 1957 Website: [Web Link] Additional Coordinate: Not Listed Additional Coordinate Description: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   11/24/2011 Punga and Paua visited it