Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Biographical Details Name: | Richard Rudolphe Chitham De'Ath | Designation: | Architect | Born: | 24 October 1927 | Died: | 28 November 2011 | Bio Notes: | Richard Rudolphe Chitham De’Ath was born in the small West Yorkshire town of Meltham on 24 October 1927. When he was about three years old, his family moved to Paisley, where his father worked as chief chemist at J&P Coats. He attended Paisley Academy, spent a short period at Almondbury boarding school in Yorkshire, and completed his schooling at Glasgow Academy.
He acquired his architectural education through day classes at the Glasgow School of Architecture from 1944 to 1949, spending two months of the summers of 1945 and 1946 in the office of Thomas Smith Cordiner and the whole month of June 1947 on a study tour of Italy. Whilst at the GSA, he won several prizes, internal and external. Having graduated BArch from the University of Strathclyde, from June to September 1949 he attended the CIAM International Summer School in London. This was followed by national service with the Royal Engineers, and his excellence in his work there on bridge design led to him being invited to join the practice of Keppie, Henderson & Gleave in October 1951 as architectural assistant. He took a further study tour, this time to Spain, in September 1952, passed the professional practice exam the following month and was admitted ARIBA in January 1953, his proposers being Andrew Graham Henderson, William James Smith and T S Cordiner. He was elected ARIAS in 1958.
De’Ath remained with the Keppie firm for the rest of his career, working principally on hospital and university projects. He was invited to become a junior partner in 1955 and was promoted to senior partner in 1960, by which time it had become Keppie, Henderson & Partners following Gleave’s departure in 1958. He was elected FRIBA on 5 June 1968, proposed by Jack Antonio Coia, Walter Underwood, and Ninian R J Johnston who praised his ‘solid capacity for detailed design’ and his buildings as ‘complex’ in nature and ‘very successful in their function as well as very satisfying visually’. He was known for his exceptionally fine draughtsmanship and meticulous approach; when working on the new Glasgow Sheriff Courthouse, he visited all the stone quarries that were providing material, to ensure a good match in quality and colour.
He officially retired from architectural practice in 1987, but his passion for architecture endured, and he completed his last project – an environmentally friendly German ‘HufHaus’ in the grounds of his Helensburgh home – when nearly 80 years old, having been inspired by the television programme ‘Grand Designs’. His retirement allowed him time to devote to developing his skills as a painter: he travelled across Europe and regularly exhibited through the Scottish Society of Architect Artists. Among his other interests, he enjoyed motor racing, competing at Ingliston on his 78th birthday and treating himself to an Alfa Romeo Brera which he continued to drive until the month prior to his death. He had also been a keen competitive yachtsman, having learnt to sail during his time with the Royal Engineers: later based at the Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club at Rhu, he had begun on a Loch Long named ‘Barracuda’, moved on to a Dragon named ‘Meteor’, then progressed to larger boats.
He died in Helensburgh on 28 November 2011. He was predeceased by his wife Marjorie but survived by his two daughters, Winnie and Anne. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | 48, Dumbreck Road, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1948 * | 1953(?) | |  | 91, Glencairn Drive, Pollokshields, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1953 * | | |  | 16, Bruce Road, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1958 * | | |  | 16, Woodvale Avenue, Whitecraigs, Renfrewshire, Scotland | Private | Before 1960 | | |  | 21, Woodside Place, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1968 * | | |  | 16, West Abercromby Street, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, Scotland | Private | Before 1968 | After 1987 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA ProposalsThis architect proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes |  | Douglas Gordon McKellar Adam | 25 July 1970 | For Fellowship |
Buildings and DesignsThis architect was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes |  | | Cork Dental Hospital | | | Cork | Eire | date not known |  | | Glasgow School of Art, Foulis Building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | | Leeds General Hospital | Leeds | | Yorkshire | England | date not known |  | After 1951 | Vale of Leven Hospital | Alexandria | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Working for Keppie Henderson & J L Gleave |  | After 1955 | Burgh of Ayr Infectious Diseases Hospital | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Outpatients and Casualty Building - job architect? As junior partner |  | 1956 | Littlewoods Store | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1957 | Southern General Hospital, Accident and Orthopaedic block | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Entirely responsible. |  | 1957 | University of Glasgow, James Watt Engineering Building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1958 | Offices for Motherwell Bridge and Engineering Company | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | |  | 1959 | St Benedict's RC Primary School | Easterhouse | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1960s | Dixons Blazes Industrial estate | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1960s | Industrial Estate | Rutherglen | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1960s | Industrial Estate | Birkenshaw | | Yorkshire | England | |  | 1960 | Glasgow University, Naval Architecture Testing Tank | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Entirely responsible |  | After 1960 | Belvidere Hospital | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Limb and appliance clinic - entirely responsible. |  | After 1960 | Stirling Royal Infirmary, Outpatients and Casualty Department | Stirling | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Entirely responsible. |  | 1961 | Littlewoods Supermarket | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |  | 1961 | Student Amenity Building, Glasgow University | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Entirely responsible |  | 1962 | Garnethill redevelopment | Garnethill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1962 | Jordanhill College, Crawfurd Building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1963 | Falkirk Royal Infirmary | Falkirk | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Experimental block (and theatre block?) |  | 1963 | University of Glasgow, Biochemistry Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Project architect |  | 1964 | Govan Combination Poorhouse and Asylum | Govan | | Glasgow | Scotland | Maternity Unit, new kitchen and staff dining rooms, new pharmacy building, rehabilitation centre and staff residential accommodation. As one of two/three partners in charge. |  | 1964 | Johnstone High School | Johnstone | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1964 | University of Glasgow, Hydrodynamics Laboratory and Astronomy Building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1965 | University of Glasgow Students Union | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Extension to east gable |  | 1965 | Westerm Infirmary, accident and emergency department | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1965 | Western Infirmary Redevelopment Phases I and II | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Partner in charge with Thomas Russell Scott |  | 1966 | Cranhill Secondary School | Cranhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1966 | University of Glasgow, Engineering Block | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1967 | Jordanhill College, Henry Wood Building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1967 | Jordanhill College, refectory | Jordanhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1967 | Premises for Littlewoods Mail Order Service | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1967 | Stirling Royal Infirmary, Maternity Unit | Stirling | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Partner in charge with Thomas Russell Scott. |  | 1968 | Gartnavel General Hospital | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Partner in charge with Thomas Russell Scott. |  | 1968 | Glasgow University, Materia Medica and Physiology Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Upgrade of West Medical Building - sole partner in charge |  | 1968 | Jordanhill College, (Scottish School of Physical Education) Science and Mathematics Building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1968 | Sheriff Court of Glasgow, Gorbals Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Chief architect |  | 1968 | Stanmore House | Lanark | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | With another partner |  | c. 1968 | Woodside Health Centre | | | Glasgow | Scotland | One of two partners involved |  | 1969 | Kirkintilloch High School | Kirkintilloch | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | |  | 1969 | University of Glasgow, Rankine Building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | Late 1960s | Stirling Royal Infirmary, nurses' residence | Stirling | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | |  | 1970 | Glasgow College of Food Technology | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1970 | Glasgow School of Art, Fra Newbery Tower | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1970 | Western Infirmary, nurses' home | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1971 | Western Infirmary, nurses' training school | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1974 | Airdrie District (Monklands) General Hospital | Airdrie | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Partner in charge with Thomas Russell Scott. |  | Before 1975 | St Gregory's School | Renfrew | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | Before 1975 | Store for Littlewoods | Kirkcaldy | | Fife | Scotland | |  | 1976 | Mitchell Arcade | Rutherglen | | Glasgow/Lanarkshire | Scotland | |  | 1977 | St David's UF Church Hall and Offices | Kirkintilloch | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Harled additions |  | 1978 | Beaumont Hospital | | | | Eire | |  | 1980 | Apsley House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Bakery for RHM Ltd | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Bakery for RHM Ltd | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Cork Regional Hospital | | | Cork | Eire | |  | Before 1981 | Glasgow High School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Head office for GKN Ltd | | | Birmingham | | |  | Before 1981 | Health Centre | Airdrie | | Lanarkshire | | |  | Before 1981 | Health Centre | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Housing for Hanover Housing Association | Dunblane | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Housing for the Hanover Housing Association | Earlston | | Berwickshire | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Housing for the Hanover Housing Association | Livingston | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Housing for the Hanover Housing Association | Dumfries | | Dumfriesshire | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Housing for the Hanover Housing Association | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Industrial Estate for Taylor Woodrow Industrial Estates | Stirling | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Industrial Estate for Taylor Woodrow Industrial Estates | Cambuslang | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Industrial Estate for the SDA | Newhouse | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Industrial Estate for the SDA | Alexandria | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Office block for John Laing Development Company | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | Before 1981 | Office block for Ravenstone Securities Ltd | | | Dublin | | |  | Before 1981 | Regional General Hospital | | | Dublin | Eire | |  | Before 1981 | Shopping Centre | Baillieston | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1986 | The Forge Centre | Parkhead | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1987 | 202-228 St Vincent Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Interiors gutted and replaced. |  | 1987 | Ayr Hospital | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | |  | 2005 or 2006 | HufHaus, 16 West Abercromby Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | for himself |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this architect: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | Bailey, Rebecca M | 1996 | Scottish architects' papers: a source book | | Edinburgh: The Rutland Press | p146 |  | Glendinning, Miles | 1997 | Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75 | | Tuckwell Press Ltd | p12, p169 Vale of Leven Hospital p28 Falkirk Royal Infirmary prototype wards; Glasgow's Western Infirmary; Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow p155 Ward Unit and Operating Theatre Suite, Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary |  | RIBA | 1948 | The RIBA Kalendar 1948-1949 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | |  | RIBA | 1954 | RIBA Kalendar 1953-54 | | | |  | RIBA | 1970 | RIBA Directory 1970 | | | |  | RIBA | 1987 | RIBA Directory of Members 1987 | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this architect: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes |  | Scotsman | 29 November 2011 | | | |  | Scotsman | 19 December 2011 | | | p.42: obituary |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this architect: | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes |  | RIAS, Rutland Square | Records of membership | | |  | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | A no 14271 (stored under F5991); F no 5991 (combined box 112) |
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