Basic Biographical Details

Name: James Houston & Son
Designation:  
Born: 1956
Died:  
Bio Notes: James Houston was born at Kilbirnie on 22 June 1893, the son of James Houston JP and the younger brother of the painter Robert Houston (1891-1942); the painter George Houston RSA (1869-1847) was a relative. James was educated at Spiers School, Beith and was articled to Fryers & Penman of Largs in July 1909. While there he attended evening classes for one year at Kilbirnie, for two years at Kilmarnock, and for two years at the Glasgow School of Architecture, where he remained as a day student under Professors Bourdon and Gourlay for two further years after completing his apprenticeship in 1914. He excelled academically, achieving first place in all the classes he attended and winning bronze, silver and gold medals, and towards the end of his studies he assisted Gourlay in the illustration of the latter's book 'The Italian Orders of Architecture' (published 1916).

In 1919, following three years' war service in the Royal Navy, Houston was engaged by Gourlay at the Royal Technical College as chief assistant and lecturer. Having taken the opportunity provided by the academic holidays to tour the cathedrals of England, he commenced practice the following year from the family home at Glenlogan, Kilbirnie. The support of the Knox family, owners of Stonyholm and Denholm Mills, enabled him to give up teaching and commence full-time practice at Bridgend House, Kilbirnie in 1925. During the early years of his practice Houston was assisted by Hugh Macdonald who stayed with him for two decades, and Gavin McClure who was killed in the Second World War. The firm specialised in modernistic cinema and entertainment buildings.

Houston was elected FRIBA on 3 April 1939, his proposers being William James Smith, Thomas Harold Hughes and David Bateman Hutton. When the Second World War broke out Houston re-enlisted, this time in the Royal Engineers, being commissioned with the rank of captain. After the war Houston remained sole partner until 1956 when his son John B G Houston was taken into partnership. At some point the practice moved to 2 School Wynd, Kilbirnie.

James Houston died on 6 September 1966 at Whitehurst, Kilbirnie. His son continued the practice, from 1976 in partnership with William MacDougall Dunlop.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 12, School Wynd, Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, ScotlandBusiness After 1970 

Employment and Training

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 5William Kelly1950s Assistant 
Item 2 of 5James Brodie Gilmour Houston1956After 1975Partner 
Item 3 of 5William MacDougall Dunlop1960s(?) Assistant 
Item 4 of 5Angus ('Gus') Allen James StarlingSeptember 1970September 1971Assistant 
Item 5 of 5William MacDougall DunlopBefore 1975After 1976Partner 

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 35c. 1925Kilbirnie ParkKilbirnie AyrshireScotlandOutbuildings
Item 2 of 35c. 1925Orr's Trust Public ParkBeith AyrshireScotlandLayout of park, public conveniences
Item 3 of 351954Ashton HotelGourock RenfrewshireScotlandExtension of dance floor on large pilotis sunk into the seabed; Davy Jones Locker Bar created below.
Item 4 of 351956Community CentreBeith AyrshireScotland 
Item 5 of 351956Dyeworks for Charles W Hall LtdNew Cumnock AyrshireScotland 
Item 6 of 351956Park ChurchArdrossan AyrshireScotland 
Item 7 of 35c. 1956Kilbirnie Cemetery, memorials to several members of the Knox familyKilbirnie AyrshireScotland 
Item 8 of 35c. 1956Largs Cemetery, Memorials to Gladys Helen Hillcoat Burrell and William Barr KnoxLargs AyrshireScotland 
Item 9 of 35c. 1956Maulside House and LodgeGlengarnock AyrshireScotlandAlterations to house
Item 10 of 351957Royal Gourock Yacht ClubhouseGourock RenfrewshireScotlandExtension
Item 11 of 35c. 1957Bungalow for William McNeillKilbirnie AyrshireScotland 
Item 12 of 351958St John's RC ChurchStevenston AyrshireScotland 
Item 13 of 351960sCroft HotelSpringside AyrshireScotland 
Item 14 of 351960sDyeworks for the Ayrshire Yarn Dyeing CoKilbirnie AyrshireScotland 
Item 15 of 351960sLargs Golf ClubhouseLargs AyrshireScotland 
Item 16 of 351960sNational Commercial BankLargs AyrshireScotland 
Item 17 of 351960sRed HerringArdrossan AyrshireScotland 
Item 18 of 351960sSteel Frame HouseBeith AyrshireScotland 
Item 19 of 351960sTourney InnKilwinning AyrshireScotland 
Item 20 of 351961Golf Clubhouse, Cowal ViewGourock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 21 of 351961St Brigid's RC ChurchKirbirnie Ayrshire E Porch extended to create baptistery
Item 22 of 351961St Palladius RC ChurchDalry AyrshireScotlandInterior restyled
Item 23 of 351963Colston Milton Church  GlasgowScotlandMy perhaps be James Houston & Partners at this date.
Item 24 of 351963St Andrew's ChurchPenilee GlasgowScotland 
Item 25 of 351967Auchenharvie CentreStevenston AyrshireScotland 
Item 26 of 351967Swimming poolKilbirnie AyrshireScotland 
Item 27 of 351968Barrfields PavilionLargs AyrshireScotlandSwimming pool
Item 28 of 35Late 1960sSwimming bathsLargs AyrshireScotland 
Item 29 of 35Late 1960sSwimming BathsOban ArgyllScotland 
Item 30 of 35Late 1960sSwimming BathsPerth PerthshireScotland 
Item 31 of 35Late 1960sSwimming poolSaltcoats AyrshireScotland 
Item 32 of 351970Springfield Cambridge ChurchBishopbriggs GlasgowScotland 
Item 33 of 351970St John's RC ChurchStevenston AyrshireScotlandExtension
Item 34 of 351972Royal HotelLargs AyrshireScotland 
Item 35 of 351973St Andrew' ChurchBaillieston GlasgowScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1RCAHMS2004Creating a Future for the Past: the Scottish Architects' Papers Preservation Project Edinburgh: Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotlandpp59-62