Bren Morrison: 47 Years of leadership, loyalty and architectural legacy at Warren and Mahoney

Bren joined Warren and Mahoney in Christchurch, working closely with founders Maurice Mahoney and Miles Warren during a formative chapter in the practice’s history. Alongside colleagues including Bill Fox, Barry Dacombe, Roy Wilson, Garry Duncan and others, Bren was part of the resilient group that successfully guided the practice through the volatility of the 1980s share-market crash, the challenges of the 1990s, and into the early 2000s.

As a major shareholder and Director throughout this period, Bren’s leadership helped lay the strong foundations for the growth and evolution that followed. Without the commitment of Bren and this wider group of leaders, Warren and Mahoney as we know it today simply would not exist - nor would the practice have become the place where so many architects and designers have built their careers, supported by the opportunities made possible through their guidance.

In January 1986, Bren and his wife Rosemary relocated from Christchurch to Auckland, where Bren founded Warren and Mahoney’s Auckland studio. His loyalty and unwavering belief in “doing things the right way” anchored the practice in the city and catalysed decades of growth. Since then, hundreds of team members, countless clients, and likely thousands of projects have benefited from Bren’s steady hand, deep knowledge and principled leadership.

Bren leads by example, always believing in the potential of everyone around him, and quietly and supportively doing what he can to share his knowledge,  mentor and develop those around him. His commitment to developing people has been as significant as his contribution to projects and clients - and there are literally hundreds of Warren and Mahoney alumni, past and present, who credit their growth to time spent working alongside Bren.

Today, as we celebrate more than 45 years of service, we acknowledge not only a remarkable professional career but the enduring qualities Bren represents: loyalty, humility, leadership, mentorship, and an unwavering dedication to both people and architecture.

We congratulate and sincerely thank Bren - from the bottom of our hearts - for being one of the all-time greatest architects Warren and Mahoney has ever had.