Basic Biographical Details Name: | Robert William Kelly Cupples Rogerson | Designation: | | Born: | 14 May 1917 | Died: | 25 April 2007 | Bio Notes: | Robert William Kelly Cupples Rogerson was born on 14 May 1917, the son of Robert James Robertson, foreman joiner, and his wife, Elizabeth Cupples Whitelaw. He studied at the School of Architecture, Glasgow School of Art from 1936 to 1940 and at the same time served his articles in the office of Keppie & Henderson. He undertook survey work, the preparation of working drawings and of alteration details during this period with Keppie & Henderson. In 1938, presumably during his vacations, he spent some time in Oxford and made an in-depth study of the architecture in the City and surrounding area. In 1939 he was awarded an RIBA studentship and spent six weeks in Italy, three of which were in Rome.
His studies were interrputed when he was called up. He served with the Royal Engineers, Works Services Branch, from 1940-45. During the war he was stationed in Italy for 18 months and in Greece for a year.
After the end of the war he returned to his studies, passed the professional exam in July 1947 and was admitted ARIBA in 1948, his proposers being Andrew Graham Henderson, William McCrea and Professor William James Smith. Also in 1948 he had won the Bellahouston Scholarship. In June and July that year he attended the Ist Congress of the International Federation of Housing and Planning, spending a week in Switzerland and two weeks touring in Italy. It was during this period that he acquired a deep interest in Italian architecture. The following year, 1949, he spent two weeks in Switzerland studying modern architecture and in August 1951 he made a study of French Chateaux, based in Touraine. In June 1952 he travelled to Spain and made a similar study of Spanish architecture and in August 1953 a study of French Medieval architecture.
In 1955 he was awarded the RIAS MacLaren Fellowship and spent six months in the USA and Canada. Later that year he set up business on his own account in Glasgow. From 1948 to 1962 he lectured at the Glasgow School of Architecture on construction and history. He spent a further period of three weeks in Italy in 1956 and three weeks in Scandinavia in 1961-62. He was elected FRIAS in 1963 and admitted FRIBA in 1964, his proposers being Jack Coia, William McCrea and Alexander Hodge Livingstone. He formed a partnership with Philip Hill Spence in 1965.
Elements from Rogerson's study of the liturgy in continental churches were incorporated in the design of several of his own. His increasing awareness of building for the disabled involved the practice in designing for special needs and lead to a wide-ranging study which culminated in 1969 in a book entitled 'Place at Work: the Working Environment of the Disabled' which was co-authored by Rogerson and Spence. He later wrote a monograph on his friend and idol Jack Coia.
Rogerson retired in 1977 and he was was able to give more time to his varied interests outwith work. Following a family tradition he participated in the work of the Trades House, giving many hours of his time and served as Deacon of the Incorporation of Wrights. He continued working as a volunteer for the disabled and disadvantaged and was awarded the OBE for his services. In 1981 together with A Farquhar he wrote 'Access for disabled people: guide book'. He was also an active and long-standing member of the Glasgow Arts Club and served on the council and as treasurer.
He died aged 89 at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow on 25 April 2007, his wife Mary Clerk McNeill, who had been a teacher of English and Religious Studies, having predeceased him. He was survived by his children Neill and Fiona and his grandchildren. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Glen Shira, Inveraray, Argyll, Scotland | Private | | 2007 | | | Beinn Bhuidhe House, Glen Shira, Inveraray, Argyll, Scotland | Private | | 2007 | | | Blythswood/62, Queen Victoria Drive, Glasgow, Scotland | Private/business(?) | 1950 * | After 1953 | | | 21, Stirling Drive, Bearsden, Glasgow, Scotland | Private/business(?) | 1960 | | | | 257, St Vincent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1970 * | | | | 272, St Vincent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1979 * | | | | Flat4/49, Roman Court, Bearsden, Glasgow, Scotland | Private/business(?) | 1987 | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | Keppie & Henderson | 1936 | 1940 | Apprentice | | | Rogerson & Spence | Mid 1950s | | Partner | |
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA ProposalsThis proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | John Armstrong Lane | 5 June 1968 | For Fellowship |
Buildings and DesignsThis 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 | | | Ruchazie Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1949 | Dollar Academy, Science and Domestic Science block, northern extensions | Dollar | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | Layout of extension begun - as assistant with Hughes & Waugh | | 1949 | Glasgow University, Inorganic Chemistry Block | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As assistant with D S R Waugh and T Harold Hughes | | 1949 | Glasgow University, new surgical building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As assistant with Hughes & Waugh | | 1951 | Westerton Primary School | Bearsden | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 2 October 1953 | Candleriggs (general), Glasgow | | | Glasgow | Scotland | To prepare plans for alterations and additions | | 1957 | Penilee Primary School | Penilee | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1958 | Fernhill Housing Estate | Rutherglen | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | May have been responsible for design | | 1960s | Carnegie Public Library | Rutherglen | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Additions? Alterations? | | 1960s | Govan Old Parish Church | Govan | | Glasgow | Scotland | Envelope repairs; upgrading and repositioning ealry Christian stone coffins | | 1960s | Hotel | Milngavie | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1960s | Lansdowne House Church of Scotland Home | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1960s | Queen's Cross Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Maintenance and scheme for demolition and re-erection on a different site. | | 1960s | Sewage Works for Glasgow Corporation | Kirkintilloch | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1960s | Thistle Foundation scheme with houses, hostel and medical centre | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Hostel for single people added. | | 1960 | Dalmarnock Sewage Works | Dalmarnock | | Glasgow | Scotland | Modernisation | | 1960 | Offices for Richards Ironworks | Lowestoft | | Suffolk | England | | | 1960 | University of Glasgow, offices for Advisers of Studies | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 8 July 1960 | Dumbarton Central Area Development | Dumbarton | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | awarded 3rd in competition £500 per Builder p47 | | 1961 | Fernhill and Cathkin Parish Church | Rutherglen | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1961 | Glasgow University, Telephone Exchange | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1961 | Maisonette terrace and cottage-type Council houses, Fernhill and Blairbeth | Fernhill/Blairbeth, Rutherglen | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1961 | Parkhouse Special School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1961 | SOGAT House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1962 | Balmore Public School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Open corridors glazed. | | 1962 | Bowhouse Pumping Station | Grangemouth | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | | | 1962 | Hostel and workshops | Largs | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1962 | Sheltered workshop for British Red Cross Society | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1962 | Trade Union Offices for Glasgow Typographical Society | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1963 | Castlehill Primary School | Bearsden | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1963 | East Kilbride South Church | East Kilbride | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1963 | Loch Turret Water Scheme | Loch Turret | | | Scotland | | | 1964 | Balornock Tron Parish Church | Balornock | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1964 | Red Cross Hostel and workshops, Raigmore | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | | | 1964 | St Mary Tron Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1964 | Swimming pool | Rutherglen | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1967 | Dennistoun Library | Dennistoun | | Glasgow | Scotland | Internal reconstruction. | | 1967 | Rutherglen Town Hall | Rutherglen | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Interior gutted during conversion to offices. | | 1968 | Library, Cardonald | Cardonald | | Glasgow | Scotland | Rogerson & Spence give Cardonald Library in their list of works in the 1970 RIBA Directory. | | 1968 | Victoria Park Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1969 | Govanhill and Crosshill District Library | Govanhill and Crosshill | | Glasgow | Scotland | Reconstruction. | | 1970s | Church of Scotland Church | Clydebank | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | May be involved if before 1977 | | 1970s | Clydemuir Primary school | Clydebank | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1970s | School | Dumbarton | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Involved if constructed before 1977 | | 1972 | Hillhead Public Library | Hillhead | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | 90 Main Street | Rutherglen | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Rebuilding? | | Before 1975 | Cleansing depot | Rutherglen | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Loch Bradan Waterworks | Loch Bradan | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Renovation | | Before 1975 | Queen Mary Hostel | Bearsden | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Red Cross hostel and workshops | Largs | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Sewage Works | Cumbernauld | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Swimming pool | Rutherglen | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | Before 1977 | Local Authority Housing | Rutherglen | | Glasgow | Scotland | Renovations. Involved if before 1977. | | Before 1977 | Local Authority Housing | Maryhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | Renovation | | Before 1977 | Sewage Works | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Only involved if before 1977 | | 1980 | Shieldhall Sewage Works | Shieldhall | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | c. 1980 | Ibrox Library | Ibrox | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | Before 1981 | Offices | Rutherglen | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | May be involved if this dates from before 1977 |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | RIBA | 1950 | The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | | | RIBA | 1960 | The RIBA Kalendar 1959-1960 | 1959-1960 | | | | RIBA | 1970 | RIBA Directory 1970 | | | | | RIBA | 1979 | Directory of members | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Builder | 2 October 1953 | | | p525 |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | H M Register House | Death Register | | | | RIAS, Rutland Square | Records of membership | | Includes obituary by Philip Spence | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | A no10230; F no 5696 (Combined Box 95) |
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