Basic Biographical Details Name: | John Robertson Notman | Designation: | | Born: | 8 September 1927 | Died: | 9 July 2009 | Bio Notes: | John (’Jack’) Robertson Notman was born in Glasgow on 8 September 1927, the only son of John Notman and his wife Amelie Margaret Robertson who were both schoolteachers. His interest in the theatre began at Hillhead High School. The comic actor Stanley Baxter was a fellow pupil and the two produced plays together. They remained great friends and collaborators.
Notman studied at Glasgow School of Architecture and was awarded the James Brough Prize and the Owen Jones studentship in 1954. Throughout his student career Notman acted, directed and produced and even during his National Service he won an army drama festival. He was admitted ARIBA in 1953. After graduation he joined the staff of Glasgow School of Architecture and set up his own practice.
Notman undertook a wide range of work. He remodelled some of Glasgow’s best known buildings, designed some outstanding new buildings and undertook theatre and set design for opera and ballet as well as for television and film and was art director on the 1978 remake of John Buchan’s ‘The Thirty-Nine Steps’ starring Robert Powell. He also acted as consultant on a range of projects. He had an ability to move from restoration of historic interiors which required restraint and deference to flamboyant colourful theatre sets. It was in the design of the latter that he best displayed his eye for colour and his versatility. He designed sets for Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the London Festival Ballet. Notman was well-known for his attention to detail which allowed him to create clean precise contemporary interiors. His perfectionism sometimes infuriated clients on a strict deadline and tight budget. However when working on restorations and adaptations he excelled at working within the paradigm of the original architect’s concept.
As a person Notman had an eccentric charm and a fund of stories from the world of thespians. He roamed ‘from theatre boards to production studios in his pristine white Porsche 944’. Among his many friends in the acting world were Judi Dench whom he met when designing a set and costumes for an open air production of Romeo & Juliet that she was directing in Regent’s Park. He would delight Dame Judi and her husband Michael Williams with watercolours of their house and garden. He was also a good friend of Joyce Grenfell. . He formed a partnership with Geoffrey D Lodge in 1965 as Notman & Lodge. This was dissolved in 1972. Notman practised as J R Notman in partnership with George Scott Calder, the practice title being J R Notman Architect. By 1987 he practised as Jack Notman. He was still at 34 Belmont Street.
Notman undertook a large amount of work for the Clydesdale Bank and besides the work listed below he also built or rebuilt 9 Scottish branches.
Notman’s love of the arts led to a number of positions including trustee of the National Galleries of Scotland, member of the Design Council, chairman of the Pollok House Arts Society, chairman of the Scottish Society of Architect Artists and a committee member of the Royal Society of Arts.
Notman received Glasgow Institute of Architects Awards of 1980, 1981 and 1984 and Civic Trust Awards of 1981 and 1990 for his work on the Henry Wood Hall, the Clydesdale Bank Headquarters and Hutchesons’ Hall. He was awarded the Royal Society of Arts Presidential Medal for Design Management, being associated with the Clydesdale BAnk from 1967.
He died on at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, on 9 July 2009, aged 81.
| Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 1, Hughenden Terrace, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | | 2009 | | | 34, Belmont Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Private/business | 1950 | 1980s | | | 18, Royal Terrace, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1994 * | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | Notman & Lodge | 1965 | | Partner | | | J R Notman Architect | 1975 | 1979 | Partner | |
RIBARIBA ProposalsThis proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | William Geoffrey Jarvis | 4 February 1970 | For Fellowship |
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 | | | Loudoun Castle | Galston | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Proposals for creating Clan Campbell Centre and redevelopment of estate | | | University of Strathclyde | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Reception area of several building refurbished | | 1960s | Clydesdale Bank | East Kilbride | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1960s | Clydesdale Bank, Gibson Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1960s | Clydesdale Bank, Great Western Road branch | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1960s | Clydesdale Bank, India Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1960s | Clydesdale Bank, Lombard Street branch | | | London | England | Interiors | | 1960s | Clydesdale Bank, St James's branch | | | London | England | Interiors | | 1960 | Helenton Mote House | Symington | | Ayrshire | Spain | | | 1966 | Block of flats for the Strathclyde Housing Society Ltd | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1967 | Cosmo cinema | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Interior remodelled. | | Late 1960s | Clydesdale Bank | Hawick | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | | | Late 1960s | Clydesdale Bank, Prestwick Airport | Prestwick | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | Late 1960s | Flatted block | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | Late 1960s | Housing Society flats | Hyndland | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | Late 1960s | Olympic Health Studios | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | Late 1960s | Premises for Lombard Banking | | | London | England | | | Late 1960s | Prestwick International Airport | | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Interiors | | Late 1960s | The Inn | Howwood | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | Late 1960s | YMCA Hotel, Boys' Hostel | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1970s | Fisher's Hotel | Pitlochry | | Perthshire | Scotland | The Otter Bar | | 1972 | Linburn, stable block | Shandon | | Dunbartonshire/Argyll | Scotland | Conversion of stable block into house. It is possible that this is by a different Notman - check | | After 1975 | Ballikinrain Castle | Balfron | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Restoration of kitchen after fire. | | After 1975 | Booking offices for Pakistani International Airlines | | | London | England | | | After 1975 | Clydesdale Bank, Lower Regent Street | | | London | England | | | After 1975 | Private houses | Whitecraigs | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | After 1975 | Redlairdston | Buchlyvie (near) | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Interior refurbishment | | Before 1975 | House for D Walton Esq | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | House for F Fox Esq | | | Suffolk | England | | | Before 1975 | House for Hon David Bathurst | | | London | England | | | Before 1975 | House for I Walton Esq | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | House for J Kenneth | Kirkcudbrightshire | | Kirkcudbrightshire | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | House for R Kirkdorfer | | | London | England | | | Before 1975 | House for Viscount Rochdale | Keswick | | Cumberland | England | | | Before 1975 | Lanterna Restaurant | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Renovation | | Before 1975 | Mount Stuart | Rothesay (near) | Bute | Bute | Scotland | Restoration of North Wing | | Before 1975 | Offices for Singleton Cinemas | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Offices for the Scottish Metropolitan Property Company | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Offices for West of Scotland Weatherproofs | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | Before 1975 | Ten shops for M & H Latter | | | | Scotland | Eight shops before 1975 and two after that date and two after that date | | c. 1975 | Paddle Boat Bar | Rothesay | Bute | Argyll & Bute | Scotland | | | c. 1975 | The Iron Horse Bar | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1978 | Clydesdale Bank Headquarters, St Vincent Place | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Refurbishment including reconstruction of a desk from parts of original woodwork during modernisation, banking hall and Vice Chairman's suite. | | 1978 | Trinity Congregational Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Conversion into rehearsal premises for Royal National Orchestra Society, Henry Wood Hall. | | 1970s or 1980s | Archies Bar | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Reconstruction | | 1970s or 1980s(?) | Hutchesons' Hospital | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Restoration for National Trust for Scotland | | 1970s or 1980s | Mansion House of Eriska | Ledaig | | Argyll | Scotland | Reconstruction | | 1970s or 1980s | Royal Faculty of Procurators | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Restoration of library | | 1970s or 1980s | Western Club | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Public areas reconstructed | | 1980s | Gleneagles Hotel | Gleneagles | | Perthshire | Scotland | Master suites refurbished | | 1980s(?) | Heathrow Airport, VIP lounge for Pakistan International Airways | | | London | England | | | 1980s | Set and costume design for Romeo & Juliet | | | London | England | | | 1980s | Set Design for Gilbert & Sullivan's The Gondoliers | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1980s | Set design for Mozart's Don Giovanni | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1980s(?) | Set design for production of Peter Darrell's ballet 'Light Fantastic' | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | Before 1980 | Vogue Cinema | Govan | | Glasgow | Scotland | Reconstruction? | | 1986 | Set design for Richard Strauss's Capriccio | | | Glasgow | | | | 1987 | Theatre Royal | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Decoration of theatre for Masked Ball (to raise funds) | | 1990 | Theatre Royal | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Decoration of theatre for fund-raising ball |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Bailey, Rebecca M | 1996 | Scottish architects' papers: a source book | | Edinburgh: The Rutland Press | p145 | | RIBA | 1970 | RIBA Directory 1970 | | | | | RIBA | 1979 | Directory of members | | | | | RIBA | 1981 | Directory of Practices 1981 | | | | | RIBA | 1987 | RIBA Directory of Members 1987 | | | | | RIBA | 1994 | A Directory of RIBA Members | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Herald, The | 25 July 2009 | | | Obituary | | Scotsman | 29 July 2009 | | | Obituary | | The Times | 15 October 2009 | | | p70. Obituary |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | H M Register House | Death Register | | |
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