Robert Potter (architect)


Robert James Potter was an English architect who was noted for his work on church buildings.

Early life and education

Potter was born in Guildford, Surrey to Jack Potter, an engraver who worked on printing blocks for Bank of England bank notes, and his wife Florence. After school he studied Architecture at the Regent Street Polytechnic.

Career

Potter moved to Salisbury in 1935 aged 26, establishing an architectural practice there. Within three years he was commissioned to design St Francis Church in the city, which has subsequently become a listed building. In the Second World War he served the Royal Engineers in northern India where he was involved in constructing road and rail networks to enable troop movements to the war in the Far East. He attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel during his wartime service.
After the war he returned to Salisbury and began a professional partnership with William Randoll Blacking, who had studied under Sir Ninian Comper and was known for his design and conservation work on ecclesiastical buildings. Their partnership lasted 11 years, after which Potter established his own firm with a new partner, Richard Hare, based in De Vaux House in Salisbury.
Potter's designs included military and residential buildings but his primary focus was on church architecture; in 1958 his Church of the Ascension, Crownhill in Plymouth was consecrated and in 1959 he started work on St George's, in Oakdale, Poole. Potter's practice expanded in 1967, being renamed the Brandt, Potter, Hare Partnership and opening an office in Southampton.
Potter's work was not purely focussed on new builds, he was involved in substantial renovation works to a number of well known buildings including Chichester Cathedral, Oxford's Bodleian Library, St Peter Mancroft and St Stephen Walbrook, All Souls Church, Langham Place and St Paul's Cathedral, all in central London. He became well known for creating community rooms under the foundations of ancient church buildings and earned the nickname "The Mole" as a result. In addition to his work on the buildings themselves, Potter was noted for his designs of fixtures and fittings including organs, crosses, candlesticks and fonts.
From 1978 to 1984, he was Surveyor of the Fabric of St Paul's Cathedral.
In 1989 Potter's designs were used to extend the St Edward the Confessor Roman Catholic Church in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, the original building of which had been designed by Potter's first professional partner, William Randoll Blacking.
Potter was awarded the OBE in 1993.

Personal life

Potter married his first wife, Geraldine Buchanan, when he moved to Salisbury in 1935. They had three children together but divorced in the early 1960s. He married again to Margaret and had two step children. He enjoyed watercolour painting and sailing, having obtained a master mariner's certificate.

Notable works

The notable buildings that Potter designed or worked on include:
YearBuildingImageLocationPotter's roleBuilding status
1938St Francis Church SalisburySalisbury, WiltshireArchitectGrade II listed
1955–1977Chichester CathedralChichester, West SussexAssisted with renovation; established masons' workshopGrade I listed
1958Church of the Ascension, CrownhillCrownhill, Plymouth, DevonArchitectGrade II listed
1960St George's ChurchOakdale, Poole, DorsetArchitectGrade II listed
1960sSt Peter MancroftNorwich, NorfolkArchitect Grade I listed
1964South Stoneham HouseSwaythling, SouthamptonArchitect of major extension including 17-storey tower blockGrade II* listed
1967All Saints CliftonClifton, BristolArchitect Grade II listed
1970sSt Paul's CathedralCity of London, LondonSurveyor to the FabricGrade I listed
1976Lincoln College Library Oxford, OxfordshireConversion of church building into libraryGrade I listed
1988St Andrew's Church, Goldsworth ParkGoldsworth Park, Woking, SurreyArchitect–
1989Church of St Edward the Confessor, Chandler's FordChandler's Ford, HampshireArchitect
UnknownBodleian LibraryOxford, OxfordshireArchitect Grade I listed
UnknownSt Stephen WalbrookCity of London, LondonArchitect Grade I listed
UnknownAll Souls Church, Langham PlaceMarylebone, LondonArchitect Grade I listed
UnknownSt Matthew's Church, BridgemaryBridgemary, Gosport, HampshireArchitect