Elected ARSA: 16 March 1966
Peter Womersley RSA was born on the 24th of June 1923. Originally intending to study law at Cambridge University, Womersley’s plans were changed when he was called to service in the Second World War. Between 1946 and 1951 he studied architecture at the Architectural Association in London.
In 1952 Womersley was admitted to the Royal Institute of British Architects and received his first commission from his brother, John. This house known as Farnley Hey won the RIBA bronze medal in 1958. His practice took off in 1961 when he won a competition to design the Roxburgh Country Offices (now the Scottish Borders Council) and was also commissioned to design a sports centre in Hull. His principal works of the late 60s and 70s gained much recognition and Womersley exhibited regularly in the RSA annual exhibitions.
Some of his most notable works include the Fairydean Football Stand in Galashiels, the Transplant Unit at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh and the Bernat Klein near Selkirk which won a RIBA Regional Award.
Womersley was asked on one occasion to consider ways for the RSA to brighten up the listed building during exhibitions. He came up with the idea of suspending banners between the columns on the North and South fronts of the RSA building, a concept still in use for the annual exhibitions at the RSA to this day.
Peter Womersley was elected ARSA on the 16th of March 1966.
