Basic Biographical Details Name: | Robert Barr Rankin | Designation: | | Born: | 12 June 1924 | Died: | 31 October 2002 | Bio Notes: | Robert Barr Rankin was born on 12 June 1924, the son of Daniel Henry Rankin, template maker and his wife Sarah Barr. In September 1947 began the five year diploma course at the School of Architecture, Glasgow School of Art. Hewas awarded his diploma in June 1952, sitting the professional practice exams a little later. During his student years he undertook two study tours: the first in August 1948 took him to Paris to study various places of architectural interest and the second was in September 1949 in Italy where he visited Venice, Florence, Perugia, Assisi and Rome. He was admitted ARIBA in 1953, proposed by James Taylor, Colonel George Hunter Gardner-McLean and Professor William James Smith.
From 1953-54 he had the post of assistant in the practice of Sam Bunton & Associates, transferring in the latter year to Blackburn (Dumbarton) Ltd, Castle Road, Dumbarton, a firm of contractors mainly employed on Local Authority and private housing, but with some industrial and commercial work. He remained with Blackburn until 1960 when he would seem to have set up business on his own account in Ayr. By 1970 the practice also had a branch in Glasgow. He was elected FRIBA on 22 July 1970, proposed by John Ewing Murray, Jack Coia and Archibald Macintosh Doak.
In 1970 he had a variety of work in hand, mainly housing and community service buildings for Local Authorities, and new churches. As principal he was responsible for all work in the Ayr and Glasgow offices, but was supported by two qualified associates and five architectural assistants. He did not want to expand the practice any further as he wanted to retain the responsibility for all major aspects of each commission.
He died in a care home in his home town of in Ayr on 31 October 2002, survived by his wife Margaret Stirling Martin and their two sons, Ian and David. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 5, Victoria Park , Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland | Private | | 2002 | | | 20, Ruthven Street, Hillhead, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1953 * | | | | 3, Cathcart Street, Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland | Business | Before 1964 | After 1970 | | | 70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1970 | | | | 31, Midton Road, Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland | Private | 1970 * | | | | 180, West Regent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1979 * | After 1981 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers
RIBARIBA Proposers
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 | | 1961 | 212 units of housing | Barassie, Troon | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1961 | Premises of Scott's Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Madeira Street | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Addition of welfare block, offices and workshops | | 1961 | Scotts Shipyard, welfare block, offices and workshops | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1962 | Baptist Church | Cumbernauld | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1962 | Baptist Church | Bathgate | | West Lothian | Scotland | One of 5 churches for Baptist Union | | 1962 | Baptist Church | East Kilbride | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1962 | Baptist Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1962 | Baptist Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1962 | Baptist Church Halls | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1965 | Abbot Engineering Factory and Offices | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1965 | Baptist Church | New Cumnock | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1965 | High and low rise housing, Slaemuir, Boglestone and Bay Area and central area redevelopment | Port Glasgow | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1965 | Maisonettes and Medical Centre | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1965 | Youth Centre and library | Clydebank | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1965 | Youth Centre and Library | Duntocher | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1968 | St Columba's Parish Church | Kirkintilloch | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | Mid 1960s | 60 acres site with 800 houses, schools, church, shops etc | Port Glasgow | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Drew up plans for layout. Appointed architects for church and housing (see separate entries) | | 1970s | Crosshill Primary School | Maybole | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1970s | St Francis RC Church | Port Glasgow | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1970s | Water Sports Centre for Kyle and Carrick District Council | | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1970s | Water Treatment Works for Ayr & Bute Water Board | Loch Spallander and Stewarton | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1970 | 132 houses | High Carntyne | | Glasgow | Scotland | Construction being supervised | | 1970 | 70 houses for the Burgh of Troon | Troon | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1970 | Church | Wester Hailes | | Edinburgh | Scotland | At the design stage | | 1970 | Church | Castlemilk | | Glasgow | Scotland | At the design stage | | 1970 | Doctor's group surgery and clinic | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | 'Nearly complete' | | 1970 | Lindisfarne and Real Tennis Court | Troon | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Bedroom extension | | 1970 | Offices at Hillhouse Quarry | Troon | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Extension to offices - at sketch stage | | c. 1970 | Community Centre and library | Port Glasgow | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans at the sketch stage | | c. 1970 | Housing | Port Glasgow | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1975 | County Police Headquarters | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Alterations and conversion to present use | | Before 1975 | Leisure Centre and library | Cumbernauld | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Leisure Centre and Library | Rothesay | Bute | Bute | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Leisure Centre and Library for the Local Authority | Alexandria | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1978 | Baptist Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Restoration and repair | | 1979 | Baptist Church | Hillhead | | Glasgow | Scotland | Structural repairs | | 1979 | Villa, 12 Aytoun Road | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Conversion of villa to Baptist Theological College and Baptist Union of Scotland | | c. 1980 | Springburn Baptist Church | Springburn | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | Before 1981 | Housing | Maybole | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Modernisation | | Before 1981 | Shop for Foster Brothers | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | Before 1981 | Shop for Foster Brothers | Dumfries | | Dumfriesshire | Scotland | | | Before 1981 | Shop for Foster Brothers | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Municipal Annual | 1964 | Scottish Municipal Annual | 1964-1965 | | | | RIBA | 1970 | RIBA Directory 1970 | | | | | RIBA | 1981 | Directory of Practices 1981 | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | H M Register House | Death Register | | | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | Rankin: A no 14439, F no7169 (Combined Box 176) |
|