Basic Biographical Details Name: | Andrew Houston Watson | Designation: | | Born: | November 1928 | Died: | | Bio Notes: | Andrew Houston Watson (known as Drew) was born in November 1928 in Glasgow, the son of Frederick Watson, the head chauffeur to a prominent tobacconist family residing in Glasgow, and his wife Elizabeth Blair Houston. Frederick was an army sergeant who fought in the 1919 Afghan war and was awarded the Military Medal.
The younger Watson was received his primary education at Dowanhill School, Glasgow. When war broke out he was evacuated to West Kilbride in Ayrshire where he lived with relatives until the family joined him at a later date. In 1941 he commenced his secondary education at Ardrossan Academy. Whilst there he was a cadet in the ATC, played rugby and cricket for the school and became the junior sports champion in 1943. He was also a member of West Kilbride Cricket Club. In 1947 he was called up for National Service and before demobilisation in september 1949 attended a months pre-release course at an architects practice in Farnham, Surrey. In the same year he started his architectural training with Robert Rennie's practice in Saltcoats, Ayrshire and enrolled in the Certificate Course of the Glasgow School of Architecture. In 1954 having been awarded the Certificate (which gave exemption from the RIBA Intermediate Exam) he left Robert Rennie and enrolled in the full time Diploma Course of the Glasgow School of Architecture. He was awarded his diploma in 1956 and rejoined Robert Rennie as an assistant. In January 1957 he was elected ARIBA and in 1958 ARIAS. In 1961 he was invited to become a partner and the practice name became Robert Rennie & Watson. In May 1966 he was awarded the Degree of Bachelor of Architecture by the University of Strathclyde.
Robert Rennie died in 1969 at the age of 63 after a long illness and Watson carried on as sole partner. Angus Starling joined the practice in September 1971 as a project architect and was invited to become a partner in 1974, when the name of the practice became Rennie, Watson & Starling. In 1988 Watson retired early due to ill health and Starling continued until 1992 after which the practice was wound up.
Drew married Elizabeth Olive Robertson Hardwick, who owned a ladies boutique in Saltcoats, in 1965 and they have one son, Andrew Scott Watson.
Drew was a member of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Rotary Club for 12 years and a member of the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Unionist Club. In 1973 he, along with his wife, were directors of Watbro Ltd, the company who owned the Commodore Hotel in Ardrosssan. He is a life member of the West Kilbride Golf Club and enjoys collecting art and antiques. He is now (2012) a retired Associate of the RIBA and RIAS.
| Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 12A, Hamilton Street, Saltcoats, Ayshire, Scotland | Business | 1949 | 1970 | | | 30, Tarbert Avenue, West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland | Private | 1958 * | | | | 10, Arran Place, Ardrossan, Ayrshire, Scotland | Business | 1970 | 1988 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers
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 | | 1960s | All-Pets pet shop | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1960s | All-Travel travel agent | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1960s | Ardenlee Hotel | Seamill | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Additions? New build? | | 1960s | Local Authority housing, Kerlaw Estate | Stevenston | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1960s | Robert Harris Department Store | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1960s | St Brendan's RC Church | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1969 | St Cuthbert's Church Hall | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Credited with responsibility by 'Buildings of Scotland' | | Mid 1960s | The Braes, local authority housing | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1970s | 24 flats | Largs | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1970s | 47 houses, Raise Street | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1970s | Commodore Hotel | Ardrossan | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Conversion of dwelling house to hotel | | 1970s | Comprehensive Development Area (CDA) Phase II, 62 houses | Ardrossan | | Ayrshire | | | | 1970s | Factory for Strathclyde Process Engineering Ltd | | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1970s | Factory Units | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1970s | Factory Units | Kilmarnock | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1970s | Private housing development for G H Tyre & Son | Ardrossan | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1970s | Residential and day care unit for Strathclyde Regional Council | | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1970s | St Andrews School | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | New teaching block | | 1970s | Store & workshop for J & W McNish | Largs | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1970s | Terminal building, Western Flying Services | Prestwick | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1970s | Twenty houses for John Hainey & Son | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1972 | Civic Centre | Ardrossan | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Harled additions | | 1974 | Indoor bowling and community centre | Ardrossan | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1975 | Indoor bowling stadium for Cumnock & Doon Valley District Council | Auchinleck | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | 119 house and 9 shops (Comprehensive Development CDAArea Phase I) | Ardrossan | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | 85 house, Stanley Road (Phases 1 & 2) | Ardrossan | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Environmental improvements (380 houses) | Ardrossan | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Upgrading? | | Before 1975 | Environmental improvements, 1087 houses | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Upgrading? | | Before 1975 | Four shops and four maisonettes, Shore Road | Stevenston | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Glenhusky Factory | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Extension | | Before 1975 | Local Authority housing, North Station site | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Local Authority Housing, Parkend Road | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Offices for Crane Hire Paisley Ltd | Stevenston | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Private housing for G H Tyre & Sons | Largs | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Quarrier's Homes | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Extensions | | Before 1975 | Saltcoats RC Chapel | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Alterations and extensions | | Before 1981 | Ledcameroch | Kilwinning | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Extension to premises |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | RIBA | 1970 | RIBA Directory 1970 | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Courtesy of Andrew H Watson per Tracey Watson | Information sent via 'Contact Us' on website | | Sent August 2012 | | RIAS, Rutland Square | Records of membership | | |
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