Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Biographical Details Name: | Launcelot Hugh Ross | Designation: | Architect | Born: | 25 January 1885 | Died: | 30 January 1956 | Bio Notes: | Launcelot Hugh Ross was born at 2 Ferryhill Place, Old Machar, Aberdeen on 25 January 1885, the son of Finlay MacLeod Ross, drapery traveller and his wife Amy Jones. He was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School. In September 1901 he commenced his articles with the City Architect John Rust, studying at Gray's School of Art. After completing his apprenticeship he remained with Rust for seven months as assistant before moving to Glasgow in February 1907 to join the practice of Sir John James Burnet, continuing his studies at Glasgow School of Architecture. Whilst with Burnet he spent some time in the firm's London office, and in 1911 left to seek experience in other London practices, finding employment with Ashley & Newman and W J Parker and attending classes at London University before returning to Glasgow in October 1912 to commence practice on his own account at 10 Blythswood Square. He also retained an Aberdeen address at 6 Ferryhill Place as late as 1914.
During the First World War, from December 1914 until May 1919, Ross served as a staff officer. He was awarded the MC, becoming an enthusiastic Territorial after the war and a member of the Royal Company of Archers.
Ross was admitted LRIBA in early 1931 and was elected FRIBA by July the same year, his proposers on both occasions being John Keppie, Andrew Balfour and John Watson. By that time he was working from an office at 180 West Regent Street, and living at 33 Fotheringay Road, Glasgow; his travels abroad prior to that date appear to have been limited to four weeks in France. His work was strongly influenced by Thomas Smith Tait, who had remained a friend since their time working together in Burnet's London office before the First World War. Their friendship resulted in Ross being given a major role in the design and execution of the Glasgow Empire Exhibition of 1938. Ross's commitment to the Territorial Army similarly paid off handsomely during the Second World War with numerous military commissions. He was a member of the Royal Company of Archers.
Ross was married to Catherine Margaret Roxborough. He died of coronary thrombosis at 34 Queen's Gate, Glasgow/ 111 Dowanhill Street (these are the same address) on 30 January 1956, his death being reported by his brother-in-law Robert Roxborough of 44 Kingsborough Gardens. The practice, which was then based at 79 West Regent Street, was continued by his partner Archibald T Lindsay as Ross & Lindsay. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | 10, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | October 1912 | After 1914 | |  | 6, Ferryhill Place, Aberdeen, Scotland | Private/business(?) | 1914 * | | |  | 261, West George Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1919 * | | |  | 180, West Regent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | Before 1924 | After 1931 | |  | 33, Fotheringay Road/Fotheringhay Road, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1931 * | | |  | 223, West George Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | Before 1933 | After 1947 | The number appears as 221 in 1939-40 |  | 79, West Regent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | Before 1950 * | After 1951 | |  | 34, Queen's Gate, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1956(?) * | | |  | 111, Dowanhill Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1956(?) * | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or Pupils
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA Proposals
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 |  | | Church at Clydebank | Clydebank | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Date unknown |  | | Church at Govan | Govan | | Glasgow | Scotland | Date unknown |  | | Houses for the Glasgow Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Date unknown |  | | Housing Scheme, Howwood Road | Johnstone | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Date unknown |  | | McLaren & Son | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Date unknown |  | | Primary School | Cranhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | Date unknown |  | | Shop for Edward Watson, butcher | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Date unknown |  | | Shop, 170 Argyle Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Date unknown |  | | Westbourne Parish Church War Memorial | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Date unknown |  | 1912 | Georgic Restaurant | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1912 | Graham's Coffee and Smoking Room | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1912 | Regent Street Quadrant, 'Builder' competition design | | | London | England | Unsuccessful competition design |  | 1912 | Tea Room, 213 Oxford Street | | | London | England | |  | After 1912 | Copeland (or Copland) & Lye premises | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Café and restaurant |  | After 1912 | House | Whitecraigs | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1912 | North British & Mercantile Insurance Company Ltd | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Reconstruction of offices |  | 1913 | Cockburn Sawmill and offices for John Weston & Company | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1920 | Cockburn Sawmill and offices for John Weston & Company | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1920 | New Colour House for Alexander Ferguson & Company | Maryhill | | Glasgow? | Scotland | |  | 1921 | Premises for Robert Graham & Company | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1921 | Premises in Sauchiehall Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations |  | 1921 | Tea rooms, Argyle Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1922 | Watt & Milne's Warehouse | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations |  | 1923 | House | Patterton | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | After 1923 | Premises for Alexander Ferguson & Co Ltd | Maryhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | New buildings, and alterations to existing factories |  | 1924 | Ballindalloch Lodge | Balfron | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | |  | 1924 | Titwood Lawn Tennis Club | Pollokshields | | Glasgow | Scotland | Addition of wings |  | 1926 | Auxiliary Air Force HQ | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Ross' first large commission |  | 1926 | Cockburn's Chemists Shop | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1926 | North of Scotland Bank | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Reconstruction of late Georgian house with attic and mansard. |  | 1930 | Insurance Office | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Reconstruction |  | 1930 | Warehouse | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1931 | North of Scotland Town and County Bank | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1933 | Bungalow | Newton Mearns | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1933 | Rank (?Bank), King's Park | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1934 | Aerated water factory for Barr & Co | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1934 | Copeland (or Copland) & Lye premises | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Large new block on Bath Street - subsequently demolished |  | 1935 | Coniston | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Cloakroom extension |  | 1936 | Drumchapel Old Parish Church | Drumchapel | | Glasgow | Scotland | Replaced 1901 church on new site |  | 1936 | Furniture Warehouse for James Grant & Co Ltd | | | Dundee | Scotland | |  | 1936 | Glasgow Empire Exhibition, masterplan | Bellahouston | | Glasgow | Scotland | In independent practice, working in conjunction with Tait (formerly of the Burnet practice) |  | 1936 | Two Furniture Warehouses | | | Dundee | Scotland | |  | 1936 | Warehouse for Grant & Co, The Cross | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1937 | Glasgow Empire Exhibition, Army and Royal Air Force Pavilion | Bellahouston | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1937 | Glasgow Empire Exhibition, Palace of Art | Bellahouston | | Glasgow | Scotland | Designed & constructed- with Thomas Tait |  | 1937 | Glasgow Empire Exhibition, Palace of Engineering | Bellahouston | | Glasgow | Scotland | Attributed to Ross in RIBA Journal obituary, July 1956. |  | 1937 | Glasgow Empire Exhibition, Tower of Empire and Treetops Restaurant | Bellahouston | | Glasgow | Scotland | Erection of Tower to Tait's design |  | 1937 | Kelvin Court | Anniesland | | Glasgow | Scotland | Executed Fatkin's designs |  | 1937 | Showrooms and offices for Cowden's Ideal Trading Stamp Company | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1938 | 47 West Clyde Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Alterations to public house |  | 1938 | Caladh Lodge | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Bedroom wing extension and garage |  | 1938 | Church of Scotland | Drumchapel | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1938 | Glasgow Empire Exhibition | Bellahouston Park | | Glasgow | Scotland | Palace of Art |  | 1938 | Riding School | Yorkhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1940 | 422-423 F/L Companies HQ | | | | Scotland | |  | 1940 | 57 Scottish Light Regiment HQ | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1940 | Drill Hall, 83rd Regiment Royal Artillery | | | | Scotland | |  | 1940 | Drill hall, garages and quarters, Main Street | Bridgeton | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1940 | Premises for Alexander Ferguson & Co Ltd | Maryhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations |  | 1940 | Volunteer Headquarters and Drill Hall | Yorkhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | Proposed reconstruction of McNab building |  | 1941 | Drumchapel Old Parish Church | Drumchapel | | Glasgow | Scotland | Rebuilt church after war damage |  | 1941 | Proposed anti-aircraft headquarters | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1942 | Canteen for Fleming & Fergusson | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1946 | Inverclyde Hostel for Sailors | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1947 | North of Scotland Bank | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Further additions - HS imply by Ross |  | 1947 | Waddell Ltd Meat Factory | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1951 | Drumchapel Old Parish Church | Drumchapel | | Glasgow | Scotland | For reconstruction and additions |  | 1951(?) | Glasgow Empire Exhibition, Palace of Art | Bellahouston | | Glasgow | Scotland | Made permanent as community centre after the Second World War |  | 25 April 1952 | Glasgow Old People's Home, Great Western Road | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations and additions |  | 1953 | Primary School, Howwood Road | Johnstone | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this architect: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | Glendinning, Miles | 1997 | Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75 | | Tuckwell Press Ltd | p1 Night view of the Glasgow Empire Exhibtion - from brochure |  | RIBA | 1930 | The RIBA Kalendar 1930-1931 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this architect: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes |  | Builder | 9 March 1951 | | | p367 |  | Builder | 25 April 1952 | | | p641 |  | Glasgow Herald | 31 January 1956 | | | Obituary |  | RIBA Journal | July 1956 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | Obituary p403 |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this architect: | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes |  | Courtesy of Alan Bacsich | Information sent via 'Contact Us' on website | | Sent February 2017 |  | Professor David M Walker personal archive | Professor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material | | Additional information via the website from Rosemary Lucas, granddaughter of Ross |  | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L no3644 (box 14); F no2935 (box 14) |
Images © All rights reserved. Scottish Architect and Builder's Journal 1938 |