Basic Biographical Details

Name: Henry ('Harry') Warden Eccles
Designation:  
Born: 10 March 1931
Died: 24 February 1999
Bio Notes: Henry ('Harry') Warden Eccles was born on 10 March 1931. He was articled to Harry Walters of Preston. Walters ran a small practice in Preston which specialised in the design of small private Voyseyesque houses. He continued his architectural studies at the University of Manchester, while still maintaining links with Walters' practice. From his time with Walters he gained an interest in housing and an attention to detail. He was elected ARIBA in 1957.

National Service followed during which time he enjoyed his role as barman in the officers' mess.

Eccles then took a post (before about 1964) wth the North Side Team of Cumbernauld Development Corporation and was involved with the design of several award-winning developments including the Seafar Estates. He moved to Warrington asnd worked on the development of Warrington New Town Plan and then to Milton Keynes. He returned north of the border once again this time heading up the technical team which had been set up by the SSHA to play its role in the GEAR (Glasgow Eastern Areas Renewal scheme) project. He was good at motivating his team and at the same time was able to empathise with the people of the East End. His responsibilities grew into other areas of Glasgow and he designed and supervised a sheltered housing development in Campbeltown.

When the SSHA was wound up he retired but devoted his time and energies to assisting other architects who had worked for the SSHA to find other employment. He also undertook planning studies for Borders Regional Council and sheltered housing for Margaret Campbell at Campbeltown.

He lived in Edinburgh and was a member of the Edinburgh New Town Conservation Committee and had been proposed as a member of the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust.

Outwith his professional life he was a committed socialist and acted as Treasurer to the local branch of the Socialist Party. During the Scottish Albanian Appeal he was involved with helping local architects and builders in Albania to renovate buildings to provide clinics and cottage hospitals. In contrast he enjoyed many aspects of contemporary culture, music, the arts, theatre. He enjoyed walking in the countryside at home from his cottage in Argyll as well as in Spain. He was working with the Scottish Rights of Way Society and the local authority to establish a path from Oban to Inveraray.

He died on 24 February 1999, survived by his wife, Pat, and their three children.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 624a, Alexandra Road, Southport, Lancashire, EnglandPrivatec. 1960  
Item 2 of 650h, Braeface Road, Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, ScotlandPrivatec. 1965 *  
Item 3 of 612, Parkway, Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire, ScotlandPrivate1970 *  
Item 4 of 6Wavendon Tower, Wavendon, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, EnglandBusiness1979 *  
Item 5 of 6SSHA , Regional Office (West)/75, Bothwell Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1984  
Item 6 of 623, Royal Crescent, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1994 *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.


Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 4Scottish Special Housing Association (SSHA)  Senior ArchitectHead of the technical team set up for GEAR
Item 2 of 4Cumbernauld New Town Development CorporationBefore 1964(?) Architect 
Item 3 of 4Milton Keynes Development CorporationBefore 1979 Architect 
Item 4 of 4Warrington New Town CorporationEarly 1970s Architect 

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 1c. 1964Seafar AreaCumbernauld LanarkshireScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 6RIBA1960The RIBA Kalendar 1959-19601959-1960  
Item 2 of 6RIBA1964The RIBA Kalendar 1964-65   
Item 3 of 6RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   
Item 4 of 6RIBA1979Directory of members   
Item 5 of 6RIBA1984RIBA Directory of members   
Item 6 of 6RIBA1994A Directory of RIBA Members   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2RIAS NewsletterApril 1999v10, no3 Death note. At the time of his death was was a retired ARIAS.
Item 2 of 2RIAS NewsletterJune 1999v10, no5 Obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIAS, Rutland SquareRecords of membership Obituary by Bill Jessop