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Architects

Basic Biographic Details

William Alexander Bruce Robertson
Architect
Exact Date
Exact Date
13/07/1984
William Alexander Bruce Robertson was born on 24 June 1911, the son of William Robertson, master painter, and his wife Mary Sinclair Miller. He attended morning classes at Edinburgh College of Art for five years from October 1932, presumably whilst articled in an architect's office. Thereafter he continued to study full-time for two years, receiving his diploma in June 1937. He was admitted ARIBA on 10 January 1938, his proposers being Arthur Forman Balfour Paul, Frank Charles Mears, and James Macgregor, who had supervised his studies at the College of Art from 1933 onwards. He was an Institute Medallist (Drawings) in 1938, and also won the Grissell Gold Medal that year and the Arthur Cateman Prize. His nomination papers state that he had travelled in Spain, Italy, Yugoslavia and Greece from 3 to 28 September 1935, and in Denmark, Norway and Sweden from 3 to 27 September 1936. He was also an Associate of the Edinburgh Architectural Association.

Robertson, seemingly known at that time as Bruce Robertson, worked as assistant to Rowand Anderson, Paul & Partners. When one of the partners, Basil Spence, left in 1945 to set up his own practice, Robertson left to join him in partnership, the firm Basil Spence & Partners being founded in November 1936. He left early in 1950 to practise independently as W A Bruce Robertson from an office in St Colm Street, Edinburgh. His work included jobs for Edinburgh Corporation and a house he built for himself at Easter Howgate.

Robertson resigned his RIBA membership in January 1978, at which time he gave his address as 8 St Colme Street, Edinburgh. He died on 13 July 1984 at his home in Wester Howgate. He was survived by his wife Mary Isobel Crocker.

'Biography authored by the Dictionary of Scottish Architects Compilation Team.'

Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this person:

Private Addresses

Private Addresses2 classic

AddressClassDate From CharDate From TypeDate To CharDate To TypeNotes
Dunduran East Barnton Avenue Davidson's Mains Edinburgh ScotlandPrivate
3 Hillpark Drive Davidson\'s Mains Edinburgh ScotlandPrivate/business
30 Wester Howgate Midlothian ScotlandPrivate
Easter Howgate Midlothian ScotlandPrivate

Business Addresses

Business Addresses2 classic

AddressClassDate From Date From TypeDate ToDate To TypeNotes
3 Hillpark Drive Davidson\'s Mains Edinburgh ScotlandPrivate/business1939After 1950
8 St Colme Street Edinburgh ScotlandBusinessBefore 1964After 1978

Employment and Training

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this person (click on an item to view details):

Employers2 classic

NameName LinkDate FromDate ToPositionNotes
Basil Spence & Partners2033721946/11In year 1950PartnerIn Edinburgh office.
Rowand Anderson, Paul & Partners203371After 1934In year 1946Assistant

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this person for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):

RIBA PROPOSERS2 classic

ProposerProposer LinkDate ProposedNotes
Arthur Forman Balfour Paul2000581938/01/10for Associateship
James Macgregor2021921938/01/10for Associateship
(Sir) Frank Charles Mears2024021938/01/10for Associateship

Buildings and Designs

This person was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):

Buildings and Designs2 classic

Building NameDate StartedTown, District or VillageIslandCity or CountyCountryNotes
Bell's Brae HouseIn year 1946Dean VillageEdinburghScotlandRestoration and alterations
Bannerfield EstateIn year 1946SelkirkSelkirkshireScotland
Glasgow University, Natural Philosophy BuildingsIn year 1947GlasgowScotlandExtension to N, for research and housing the synchrotron; completed by Spence practice after Robertson left in 1950.
Housing, 1-6 Harbour Court, Castle GateIn year 1948DunbarEast LothianScotlandPartner in charge
Housing, 19A, 19B, 19C Victoria Street and 10, 12 Writer's CourtIn year 1948DunbarEast LothianScotlandPartner in charge
Housing, 15A-15D Victoria Street and 8 Writer's CourtIn year 1948DunbarEast LothianScotlandPartner in charge
Housing, Victoria PlaceIn year 1948DunbarEast LothianScotlandPArtner in charge
Housing estate, 14-20 Lower BurnmouthIn year 1948BurnmouthBerwickshireScotland
Housing Scheme, SheppertonIn year 1949Sunbury-on-ThamesMiddlesexEngland
Rossie Prioryc. 1949InchturePerthshireScotlandMain part of house demolished and plinth courses converted to terrace
Crawford's Snack Bar interior, Queensferry StreetIn year 1950EdinburghScotland
HouseAfter 1950Wester HowgateMidlothianScotlandfor himself
Fishermen's Cottages, DunbarBefore 1951DunbarEast LothianScotland
Housing, Buncles Court and Lamer StreetIn year 1953DunbarEast LothianScotlandPartner in charge

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this person:

Bib ref classic

AuthorTitleDatePublisherPartNotes
RIBAThe RIBA Kalendar 1950-19511950London: Royal Institute of British Architects
Willis, PeterNew architecture in Scotland1977p8, p10 Fishermen's Houses
RIBAThe RIBA Kalendar 1939-19401939London: Royal Institute of British Architects
Glendinning, MilesRebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75 1997Tuckwell Press Ltdp14 Harbour Court Housing, Dunbarp96-7 Lamer Street Housing, Dunbarp159-60 Fishermen's Houses, Dunbar
Municipal AnnualScottish Municipal Annual19641964-1965

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this person:

Arc ref classic

Archive NameSourceSource Cat NoBuilding IdItem NameNotes
RIBA Nomination PapersRIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum100005A no629 (combined box 150)
Information from AHRC/RCAHMS Spence project per David W Walker and Clive FentonSent to DSA by email200828Clive Fenton's research notes (sent July 2010)
Death RegisterH M Register House100027