Basic Biographical Details

Name: John ('Ian') Emslie Arnott
Designation:  
Born: 7 May 1928
Died: 8 August 2022
Bio Notes: John (Ian) Emslie Arnott was born on 7 May 1928. He studied architecture at Edinburgh College of Art and went on to take a diploma in town planning also at Edinburgh. He was elected ARIBA in 1953 and ARIAS in 1957. He did his national service from 1955-57 as a flying officer with the RAF. He joined Robert Matthew Johnson-Marshall in the late 1950s and worked on the Hutchesontown-Gorbals redevelopment project. In 1961 he joined Eric Hall & Partners where he was senior architect responsible for the Haddington Town Centre renewal and a number of other smaller housing regeneration projects.

Arnott joined William Campbell in partnership as Campbell & Arnott in 1962. One of their earliest projects was Arnott's own house at Gifford, which went on to win a Civic Trust Award. The practice subsequently undertook many diverse housing projects ranging from a individually designed houses such as that in Gifford to the scheme of factory-produced housing for the Yemen, though this latter design was never realised.

The practice also undertook a variety of commerical and office projects. Thier own office in Albany Lane which was formed within an historic building is a good example. The office became a social focus for the Edinburgh Architectural Association and for many of the practices friends and colleagues. One of the practice's greatest achievements was winning the competition for Saltire Court which has been described as 'a very fine example of sensitive late 20th century architecture blending in harmony with its entire surroundings' and considered as one of the best buildings in Edinburgh since the 1870s. Arnott remained as chairman of the practice until 1994 when he became a consultant.

Throughout his career Arnott has been interested in architectural education and served on the Councils of both the RIAS and EAA. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Chairman of the Saltire Society, Royal Scottish Academician and received a Sir William Gillies Award from the RSA to support his research into historic thetare buildings in the Le Marche area of Italy.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 366, Channel Street, Galashiels, Selkirkshire, ScotlandPrivatec. 1952After 1970 
Item 2 of 35, Howe Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1957 * ASddress given in RIAS list of members joining.
Item 3 of 3The Rink, Haddington Road, Gifford, East Lothian, ScotlandPrivate1970 *  

* 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 3Robert Matthew Johnson-Marshall (RMJM)Late 1950s1961Architect 
Item 2 of 3Eric Hall & Partners (Eric W Hall & Partners)1961 Senior Architect 
Item 3 of 3Campbell & Arnott1963 Partner 

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 24 Amalgamated Engineering Union HeadquartersPeckham LondonEngland 
Item 2 of 241939Two harled rows of cottagesTyninghame East LothianScotland 
Item 3 of 241958Hutchesontown / Gorbals Area B multi-storey flats and housing  GlasgowScotlandProject architect
Item 4 of 241960sHardgateHaddington East LothianScotlandRestoration
Item 5 of 241960sRoss's CloseHaddington East LothianScotlandRestoration
Item 6 of 241961Amisfield Mains development  East LothianScotland 
Item 7 of 241962Caird's Row HousingMusselburgh East Lothian  
Item 8 of 241962Kinloch HouseHaddington East LothianScotlandRestoration
Item 9 of 241963Arnott HouseGifford East LothianScotland 
Item 10 of 241963Housing behind High Street, near Ross's CloseHaddington East LothianScotland 
Item 11 of 241964Mitchell's CloseHaddington East LothianScotlandRestoration
Item 12 of 24196710 CLASP schools   Scotland 
Item 13 of 241968Walker's of Leith Sawmill, officeRestalrig EdinburghScotland 
Item 14 of 241969Denny High SchoolDenny StirlingshireScotlandNE and NW additions
Item 15 of 24197418-20 Duke StreetBelhaven East Lothian  
Item 16 of 24Late 1970sWestern Isles Arts and Cultural CentreStornoway Ross and CromartyScotlandProposal - not carried out
Item 17 of 241980Kingsburgh Gardens HousingEast Linton East LothianScotland 
Item 18 of 241982Botanical Gardens, pavilionInverleith EdinburghScotland 
Item 19 of 241983Old Town HallStornowayLewisRoss and CromartyScotlandOriginal proposal to develop buildings as cultural centre not proceeded with. Conservation and repairs carried out. Job Architect.
Item 20 of 241985Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre  EdinburghScotland 
Item 21 of 241985Lammermuir HouseDunbar East LothianScotland 
Item 22 of 241987Dunbar Parish ChurchDunbar East LothianScotlandRestoration
Item 23 of 241989Saltire Court  EdinburghScotlandWon competition and secured job
Item 24 of 241990sEdinburgh Park business park  EdinburghScotlandIn association with Richard Myer.

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 6Allen, Nic (ed.) Scottish Architects in Conservation  p21
Item 2 of 6Glendinning, Miles1997Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75  Tuckwell Press Ltdp26 Hutchesontown B
Item 3 of 6Glendinning, Miles2008Modern architect: the life and times of Robert Matthew RIBA Publishingp248
Item 4 of 6Glendinning, Miles and Muthesius, Stefan1994Tower Block: Modern Public Housing in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Yale University Press: New Haven and Londonp169, p228, p368 Hutchesontown Area B
Item 5 of 6RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   
Item 6 of 6www.debretts.com/people/biographies www.debretts.com/people/biographies  accessed December 2009

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIAS, Rutland SquareRecords of membership