Thord Lorich

Thord Ingemar Thorstensson Lorich (March 27, 1918 - November 17, 2006) was an Australian architect and design consultant. His firm, Thord Lorich & Associates, were behind the design of numerous commercial and industrial buildings in the Melbourne area. Born at Fredrikstad, Norway, he served as a Master Sergeant in the Swedish military during World War II before migrating to Melbourne, Australia in the late 1940s.[1][2][3]

In 1966, the Forest Hill Heights corporation contracted his company to design a theatre, executive offices building, sports centre, restaurant, and a strip of shops for their Forest Hill Shopping Centre, completed 1967–69.[4][5] His company also designed 'Beneficial House' for Rochalie Industries c. 1974.[6] Lorich was a timekeeper for the Hawthorn Football Club and became a life member in 1985.[7] He was also an avid golfer and member of the Victorian Veterans Golf Association, who named a trophy competition after him in recognition of the work he did for the club.[8] His son, Robert Lorich, worked and trained as an architectural draftsman in the 1970s and began a long and successful partnership with John Coghlan AM in 1990, which eventually became Buildspect & Co, a building consultancy practice.[9][10] Thord died at age 88 on November 17, 2006, and is buried at the Lilydale Lawn Cemetery.

  1. ^ "Public notices". The Age. 10 October 1952. p. 11.
  2. ^ "Thord Ingemar Thorstensson Lorich - Data from registration card". Swedish Volunteer Battalion.
  3. ^ "Court Gay for New Citizens". The Age. 27 January 1953. p. 6.
  4. ^ Public Building File No. 14940, Forest Hill Theatre. Department of Health, Building and Services Division.
  5. ^ Sports Centre Public Library Lot 101 and 102 Mahoneys Road; Forest Hill Sporting. Nunawading: PROV Public Building Files VPRS 7882. 1968.
  6. ^ Scrapbook Index L-Z. Box Hill Historical Society. 11 December 2017.
  7. ^ "History - W. G. Sherwood Life Members Honour Board". Hawthorn Football Club.
  8. ^ "Honours, Thord Lorich Trophy". Victorian Veterans Golf Club.
  9. ^ Excellence in Housing Awards. Master Builders Victoria. 2019.
  10. ^ Golvan, George (13 May 2010). "John Ronald Coghlan Obituary". Buildspect.