Robert Lorimer

Sir Robert Stodard Lorimer (born November 4, 1864 in Edinburgh ; † September 13, 1929 there ) was a Scottish architect and furniture designer .

Robert Lorimer at work, painted by his older brother John Henry Lorimer (1886), National Gallery of Scotland

Life

Robert Lorimer was born the son of James Lorimer , Professor of Public Law at the University of Edinburgh . He was the brother of the well-known painter John Henry Lorimer and father of the later sculptor Hew Lorimer .

He began his education at the Academy in Edinburgh, and until 1890 he studied at the University of Edinburgh.

In 1878 the Lorimer family leased Kellie Castle in Fife and together they began restoring and converting it into a holiday home.

Lorimer's work as an architect began in 1890 with Sir Robert Rowand Anderson . In 1893 he opened his own architectural office. His style was influenced by the Scottish architecture of the 16th and 17th centuries ( Scots Baronial ) and was also influenced by the ideas of William Morris . Lorimer gathered several artists and craftsmen around him, they designed landscape types of houses and organized furniture and art exhibitions in London .

In 1896 he was accepted into the Guild for Craftsmen and in 1916 into a Masonic Lodge .

He became known in 1900 for the so-called white "Colinton Cottages", which he had built in Colinton near Edinburgh. They linked the traditional architectural style with the art and furniture of the century, and each of them had its own garden.

He was President of the Association of Architects in Scotland (Incorporation of Architects in Scotland) and was raised to the nobility to Knight Bachelor in 1911 , and in 1927 to Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire .

Buildings (selection)

With the outbreak of World War I , Lorimer shifted his work interests to the restoration and preservation of old Scottish castles and churches , as well as the design of public buildings.

Kellie Castle : Restored by the Lorimer family around 1878, it contains ornate stucco ceilings , lacquered paneling and furniture designed by Sir Robert Lorimer.
St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh: It is the high church of Edinburgh, in the southeast corner of the cathedral is the chapel of the venerable Scottish Order of the Thistle . It was designed and built by Lorimer in 1911.

Dunrobin Castle with parks

Dunrobin Castle near Inverness : In 1915 a part of the castle was destroyed by fire, the current state of the castle comes from the idea of Sir Charles Barry and the restoration and renovation by Lorimer.
Ardkinglas House near Cairndow : On behalf of Sir Andrew Noble, 1st Baronet , Lorimer built this spacious property with its own parks and gardens in 1907.
Edinburgh Castle : The medieval "Great Hall", the Scottish War Memorial, was designed in 1927 by Robert Lorimer.
Niederzwehren Cemetery : The Commonwealth war cemetery in Kassel-Niederzwehren was designed by Lorimer in 1922/23 and built according to his plans.
St. Andrew's Cathedral in Inverness: This imposing, lavishly decorated neo-Gothic structure was built from 1866 to 1869, the rood screen and crucifix are the works of Robert Lorimer.
Torosay Castle , Isle of Mull : The Guthrie family has lived here since the early 19th century. Robert Lorimer designed the gardens.
Royal Marine Hotel in Brora : The main building was built in 1913 and designed by Sir Robert Lorimer.
Hill of Tarvit mansion at Cupar : Robert Lorimer designed this Edwardian country house for industrialist FB Sharp.

Paisley Abbey

Paisley Abbey : The core of today's church dates from the 15th century and is the result of numerous restorations and conversions. The long choir was restored in the 19th and 20th centuries, the furnishings go back to Robert Lorimer.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Lorimer, Robert
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Lorimer, Sir Robert Stodard (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Scottish architect and furniture designer
DATE OF BIRTH	November 4, 1864
PLACE OF BIRTH	Edinburgh
DATE OF DEATH	September 13, 1929
Place of death	Edinburgh