Basic Biographical Details

Name: Francis Benson Dunbar
Designation:  
Born: 26 January 1914
Died: 27 February 1997
Bio Notes: Francis Benson Dunbar was born in Ayr on 26 January 1914, one of seven children. He was educated at Newtonhead Primary School and Ayr Academy. He studied architecture at Glasgow School of Art and was admitted ARIBA in 1940, being an Associate of the Glasgow Institute of Architects from the session 1939-1940. His address at that time was 9 Mews Road, Ayr.

Just prior to World War 2 he moved to work in the office of a London architect but returned to Scotland to work in the office of Dickie's Stamp Works and Glacier Metals during the war years.

After the cease of hostilities Dunbar seems to have worked for Duncan McCulloch or Darley Hay who took over the Stevenson practice as his address is given around this time as 56 Sandgate, Ayr, Stevenson & Cassels had operated here in the 1920s. He combined this work in private practice with a part-time post of lecturer in Glasgow School of Art, which he held until his retirement. In 1967 he founded the Glasgow Summer School in Italy which brought together Students of drama and the visual arts in the appreciation of architecture. His interest in the art of architecture was carried through to his own work and from 1945 to 1965 he produced a number of 'innovative and artistic buildings'. The practice specialised in houses for private clients of which he designed over 40, mostly in the Alloway area. He also turned his hand to the design of furniture and other building elements.

By 1970 he was a partner in the practice Dunbar, McFadzean & Associates and his address was given as 35 Lochlea Drive. It is not yet certain who McFadzean was but it may be Ronald McFadzean. The partnership must have been short-lived. In the RIBA directory of practices for 1975 he was working on his own from this address.

As a person he was quiet and modest but he was able to convey his enthusiasm to others.

He died on 27 February 1997, survived by his wife Nina, his son, Frank, and daughter, Jill, and four grandchildren.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 49, Mews Road, Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1939 *  
Item 2 of 456, Sandgate, Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandBusiness1954 *  
Item 3 of 464, Wellington Chambers, Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandBusiness1964 *  
Item 4 of 435, Lochlea Drive, Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandPrivate/business19701997(?) 

* earliest date known from documented sources.

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 81952Provost's Chair, Loudoun HallAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 2 of 81954House, 63 Monument RoadAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 3 of 87 November 1958House  Ayr, AyrshireScotlandper Builder p773
Item 4 of 81960sHoggs CornerMinishant AyrshireScotland 
Item 5 of 81960sSwimming BathsAyr AyrshireScotlandDesign of foundation stone
Item 6 of 81960Houses, Burness AvenueAlloway AyrshireScotland 
Item 7 of 81961Highgrove HouseLoans AyrshireScotlandAdditions
Item 8 of 81970Citadel Leisure CentreAyr AyrshireScotlandE extension

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4Municipal Annual1964Scottish Municipal Annual1964-1965  
Item 2 of 4RIBA1939The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 3 of 4RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 4 of 4RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Herald, The15 March 1997  Obituary
Item 2 of 2RIAS NewsletterMay 1997v8, no4 Death note

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIAS, Rutland SquareRecords of membership Obituary of Dunbar by Robert W K C Rogerson