Basic Biographical Details

Name: Black & Shapley
Designation:  
Born: 1933
Died: 1962 or after 1964
Bio Notes: Arthur Frank Shapley was born on 7 December 1908 and was articled to J C Hunter of Ardrossan in 1925, studying at Ardrossan Academy. He took the certificate course at Glasgow School of Architecture and was admitted an Associate of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and of the Faaculty of Architects & Surveyors. He commenced practice in Ardrossan in 1933 with Alex W G Black as Black & Shapley; details of Black's career are yet to be established. Shapely was admitted LRIBA in early 1943, his proposers being Jack Antonio Coia, George Hunter Gardner-McLean and Gabriel Steel.

Shapely decided to withdraw from practice in 1962. Black may have already withdrawn by that date. The firm was then sold to the architect Robert Rennie for £150. He retained the office at 15 Barr street, Ardrossan as a satellite office, and it still seems to have been operating under the same name as late as 1964. Two of Black & Shapley's staff stayed on there, Robert Paton, architectural technician, and Mrs Ruby Kidd, secretary. Some time later Rennie closed the Ardrossan office and moved Bobby Paton and Ruby Kidd to the office in Saltcoats (where he already had a staff of about 8-10).

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 115, Barr Street, Ardrossan, Ayrshire, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1943After 1964 

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 2Alexander William Gemmill Black1933 Partner 
Item 2 of 2Arthur Frank Shapley19331962Partner 

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 41933Fire StationArdrossan AyrshireScotland 
Item 2 of 41935One hundred and two houses at Parkhouse and WhiteleesArdrossan AyrshireScotland 
Item 3 of 41953North Parish Church and hallSaltcoats AyrshireScotlandHall church built under Postwar Church Extension Scheme
Item 4 of 44 December 195916 Houses, Townhead (2nd Development)Townhead, Stevenston  Scotlandaccepting tender applications per Builder p830

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Municipal Annual1964Scottish Municipal Annual1964-1965  

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2Courtesy of Avril Rennie, Robert Rennie's daughterInformation via 'website 'contact' page Sent December 2009
Item 2 of 2Information from Arthur Shapley per Adrian ShapleyInformation via website Sent 2008