Basic Biographical Details

Name: Robert Barr Rankin
Designation:  
Born: 12 June 1924
Died: 31 October 2002
Bio Notes: Robert Barr Rankin was born on 12 June 1924, the son of Daniel Henry Rankin, template maker and his wife Sarah Barr. In September 1947 began the five year diploma course at the School of Architecture, Glasgow School of Art. Hewas awarded his diploma in June 1952, sitting the professional practice exams a little later. During his student years he undertook two study tours: the first in August 1948 took him to Paris to study various places of architectural interest and the second was in September 1949 in Italy where he visited Venice, Florence, Perugia, Assisi and Rome. He was admitted ARIBA in 1953, proposed by James Taylor, Colonel George Hunter Gardner-McLean and Professor William James Smith.

From 1953-54 he had the post of assistant in the practice of Sam Bunton & Associates, transferring in the latter year to Blackburn (Dumbarton) Ltd, Castle Road, Dumbarton, a firm of contractors mainly employed on Local Authority and private housing, but with some industrial and commercial work. He remained with Blackburn until 1960 when he would seem to have set up business on his own account in Ayr. By 1970 the practice also had a branch in Glasgow. He was elected FRIBA on 22 July 1970, proposed by John Ewing Murray, Jack Coia and Archibald Macintosh Doak.

In 1970 he had a variety of work in hand, mainly housing and community service buildings for Local Authorities, and new churches. As principal he was responsible for all work in the Ayr and Glasgow offices, but was supported by two qualified associates and five architectural assistants. He did not want to expand the practice any further as he wanted to retain the responsibility for all major aspects of each commission.

He died in a care home in his home town of in Ayr on 31 October 2002, survived by his wife Margaret Stirling Martin and their two sons, Ian and David.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 65, Victoria Park , Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandPrivate 2002 
Item 2 of 620, Ruthven Street, Hillhead, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1953 *  
Item 3 of 63, Cathcart Street, Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1964After 1970 
Item 4 of 670, Wellington Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1970  
Item 5 of 631, Midton Road, Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandPrivate1970 *  
Item 6 of 6180, West Regent Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1979 *After 1981 

* 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 3Sam Bunton & Associates19531954Assistant 
Item 2 of 3Blackburn (Dumbarton), Ltd19541960Architect 
Item 3 of 3Robert B Rankin & Associates1970 Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6Jack Antonio Coia22 July 1970For Fellowship
Item 2 of 6Archibald Macintosh Doak22 July 1970For Fellowship
Item 3 of 6(Colonel) George Hunter Gardner-McLean6 January 1953For Associateship
Item 4 of 6John Ewing Murray22 July 1970For Fellowship
Item 5 of 6(Professor) William James Smith6 January 1953For Associateship
Item 6 of 6James Taylor6 January 1953For Associateship

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 421961212 units of housingBarassie, Troon AyrshireScotland 
Item 2 of 421961Premises of Scott's Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Madeira StreetGreenock RenfrewshireScotlandAddition of welfare block, offices and workshops
Item 3 of 421961Scotts Shipyard, welfare block, offices and workshopsGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 4 of 421962Baptist ChurchCumbernauld LanarkshireScotland 
Item 5 of 421962Baptist ChurchBathgate West LothianScotlandOne of 5 churches for Baptist Union
Item 6 of 421962Baptist ChurchEast Kilbride LanarkshireScotland 
Item 7 of 421962Baptist Church  GlasgowScotland 
Item 8 of 421962Baptist Church  GlasgowScotland 
Item 9 of 421962Baptist Church HallsAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 10 of 421965Abbot Engineering Factory and OfficesPaisley RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 11 of 421965Baptist ChurchNew Cumnock AyrshireScotland 
Item 12 of 421965High and low rise housing, Slaemuir, Boglestone and Bay Area and central area redevelopmentPort Glasgow RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 13 of 421965Maisonettes and Medical CentreHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 14 of 421965Youth Centre and libraryClydebank DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 15 of 421965Youth Centre and LibraryDuntocher DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 16 of 421968St Columba's Parish ChurchKirkintilloch DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 17 of 42Mid 1960s60 acres site with 800 houses, schools, church, shops etcPort Glasgow RenfrewshireScotlandDrew up plans for layout. Appointed architects for church and housing (see separate entries)
Item 18 of 421970sCrosshill Primary SchoolMaybole  AyrshireScotland 
Item 19 of 421970sSt Francis RC ChurchPort Glasgow RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 20 of 421970sWater Sports Centre for Kyle and Carrick District Council  AyrshireScotland 
Item 21 of 421970sWater Treatment Works for Ayr & Bute Water BoardLoch Spallander and Stewarton AyrshireScotland 
Item 22 of 421970132 housesHigh Carntyne GlasgowScotlandConstruction being supervised
Item 23 of 42197070 houses for the Burgh of TroonTroon AyrshireScotland 
Item 24 of 421970ChurchWester Hailes EdinburghScotlandAt the design stage
Item 25 of 421970ChurchCastlemilk GlasgowScotlandAt the design stage
Item 26 of 421970Doctor's group surgery and clinicHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotland'Nearly complete'
Item 27 of 421970Lindisfarne and Real Tennis CourtTroon AyrshireScotlandBedroom extension
Item 28 of 421970Offices at Hillhouse QuarryTroon AyrshireScotlandExtension to offices - at sketch stage
Item 29 of 42c. 1970Community Centre and libraryPort Glasgow RenfrewshireScotlandPlans at the sketch stage
Item 30 of 42c. 1970HousingPort Glasgow RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 31 of 421975County Police HeadquartersAyr AyrshireScotlandAlterations and conversion to present use
Item 32 of 42Before 1975Leisure Centre and libraryCumbernauld LanarkshireScotland 
Item 33 of 42Before 1975Leisure Centre and LibraryRothesayButeButeScotland 
Item 34 of 42Before 1975Leisure Centre and Library for the Local AuthorityAlexandria DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 35 of 421978Baptist Church  GlasgowScotlandRestoration and repair
Item 36 of 421979Baptist ChurchHillhead GlasgowScotlandStructural repairs
Item 37 of 421979Villa, 12 Aytoun Road  GlasgowScotlandConversion of villa to Baptist Theological College and Baptist Union of Scotland
Item 38 of 42c. 1980Springburn Baptist ChurchSpringburn GlasgowScotland 
Item 39 of 42Before 1981HousingMaybole AyrshireScotlandModernisation
Item 40 of 42Before 1981Shop for Foster BrothersAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 41 of 42Before 1981Shop for Foster BrothersDumfries DumfriesshireScotland 
Item 42 of 42Before 1981Shop for Foster Brothers  GlasgowScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Municipal Annual1964Scottish Municipal Annual1964-1965  
Item 2 of 3RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   
Item 3 of 3RIBA1981Directory of Practices 1981   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2H M Register HouseDeath Register  
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers Rankin: A no 14439, F no7169 (Combined Box 176)