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 Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 312A, Hamilton Street, Saltcoats, Ayshire, ScotlandBusiness19491970 
Item 2 of 330, Tarbert Avenue, West Kilbride, Ayrshire, ScotlandPrivate1958 *  
Item 3 of 310, Arran Place, Ardrossan, Ayrshire, ScotlandBusiness19701988 

* 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 4Robert Rennie19491954Apprentice 
Item 2 of 4Robert Rennie19561961Assistant 
Item 3 of 4Robert Rennie & Watson19611969Partner 
Item 4 of 4Rennie Watson & Starling19741988Partner 

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 371960sAll-Pets pet shopSaltcoats AyrshireScotland 
Item 2 of 371960sAll-Travel travel agentSaltcoats AyrshireScotland 
Item 3 of 371960sArdenlee HotelSeamill AyrshireScotlandAdditions? New build?
Item 4 of 371960sLocal Authority housing, Kerlaw EstateStevenston AyrshireScotland 
Item 5 of 371960sRobert Harris Department StoreSaltcoats AyrshireScotland 
Item 6 of 371960sSt Brendan's RC ChurchSaltcoats AyrshireScotland 
Item 7 of 371969St Cuthbert's Church HallSaltcoats AyrshireScotlandCredited with responsibility by 'Buildings of Scotland'
Item 8 of 37Mid 1960sThe Braes, local authority housingSaltcoats AyrshireScotland 
Item 9 of 371970s24 flatsLargs AyrshireScotland 
Item 10 of 371970s47 houses, Raise StreetSaltcoats AyrshireScotland 
Item 11 of 371970sCommodore HotelArdrossan AyrshireScotlandConversion of dwelling house to hotel
Item 12 of 371970sComprehensive Development Area (CDA) Phase II, 62 housesArdrossan Ayrshire  
Item 13 of 371970sFactory for Strathclyde Process Engineering Ltd  AyrshireScotland 
Item 14 of 371970sFactory Units Saltcoats AyrshireScotland 
Item 15 of 371970sFactory UnitsKilmarnock AyrshireScotland 
Item 16 of 371970sPrivate housing development for G H Tyre & SonArdrossan AyrshireScotland 
Item 17 of 371970sResidential and day care unit for Strathclyde Regional Council  AyrshireScotland 
Item 18 of 371970sSt Andrews SchoolSaltcoats AyrshireScotlandNew teaching block
Item 19 of 371970sStore & workshop for J & W McNishLargs AyrshireScotland 
Item 20 of 371970sTerminal building, Western Flying ServicesPrestwick AyrshireScotland 
Item 21 of 371970sTwenty houses for John Hainey & SonSaltcoats AyrshireScotland 
Item 22 of 371972Civic CentreArdrossan AyrshireScotlandHarled additions
Item 23 of 371974Indoor bowling and community centreArdrossan AyrshireScotland 
Item 24 of 371975Indoor bowling stadium for Cumnock & Doon Valley District Council Auchinleck AyrshireScotland 
Item 25 of 37Before 1975119 house and 9 shops (Comprehensive Development CDAArea Phase I)Ardrossan AyrshireScotland 
Item 26 of 37Before 197585 house, Stanley Road (Phases 1 & 2)Ardrossan AyrshireScotland 
Item 27 of 37Before 1975Environmental improvements (380 houses)Ardrossan AyrshireScotlandUpgrading?
Item 28 of 37Before 1975Environmental improvements, 1087 housesSaltcoats AyrshireScotlandUpgrading?
Item 29 of 37Before 1975Four shops and four maisonettes, Shore RoadStevenston AyrshireScotland 
Item 30 of 37Before 1975Glenhusky Factory Saltcoats AyrshireScotlandExtension
Item 31 of 37Before 1975Local Authority housing, North Station siteSaltcoats AyrshireScotland 
Item 32 of 37Before 1975Local Authority Housing, Parkend RoadSaltcoats AyrshireScotland 
Item 33 of 37Before 1975Offices for Crane Hire Paisley LtdStevenston AyrshireScotland 
Item 34 of 37Before 1975Private housing for G H Tyre & SonsLargs AyrshireScotland 
Item 35 of 37Before 1975Quarrier's HomesBridge of Weir RenfrewshireScotlandExtensions
Item 36 of 37Before 1975Saltcoats RC ChapelSaltcoats AyrshireScotlandAlterations and extensions
Item 37 of 37Before 1981LedcamerochKilwinning AyrshireScotlandExtension to premises

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2Courtesy of Andrew H Watson per Tracey WatsonInformation sent via 'Contact Us' on website Sent August 2012
Item 2 of 2RIAS, Rutland SquareRecords of membership