Michael Scott (architect) facts for kids
Michael Scott (born June 24, 1905, died January 24, 1989) was a famous Irish architect. He designed many important buildings in Ireland. Some of his well-known works include the Busáras building in Dublin, the Cork Opera House, and the Abbey Theatre. He also designed hospitals in Tullamore and Portlaoise.
Contents
Growing Up and School
Michael Scott was born in Drogheda, Ireland, in 1905. His family came from the Munster region of Ireland. His father, William Scott, was a school inspector from near Sneem in County Kerry, and his mother was from County Cork. Michael went to Belvedere College in Dublin. There, he showed early talent for painting and acting. He first wanted to be a painter. However, his father suggested that becoming an architect might be a more stable career.
Michael Scott's Career
Starting as an Architect
In 1923, Michael Scott began working as an apprentice at an architectural firm in Dublin called Jones and Kelly. He stayed there until 1926, learning from Alfred E. Jones. In the evenings, he also studied at the Metropolitan School of Art and the Abbey School of Acting. He even acted in many plays until 1927. These included the first shows of Seán O'Casey's famous plays, Juno and the Paycock and The Plough and the Stars. After his apprenticeship, he worked for Charles James Dunlop and then briefly for the Office of Public Works.
Forming His Own Firm
In 1931, Michael Scott teamed up with Norman D. Good to create their own company, Scott and Good, in Dublin. They designed the hospital in Tullamore (1934–1937) and the Portlaoise General Hospital (1935). From 1937 to 1938, Scott was the President of the Architectural Association of Ireland (AAI). In 1938, he started his own company, Michael Scott Architects. That same year, he designed his own house, Geragh, in Sandycove, County Dublin.
The New York World's Fair
One of Scott's most important projects before World War II was the Irish Pavilion for the New York World's Fair in 1938. Scott designed a building shaped like a shamrock, made from steel, concrete, and glass. An international group of judges chose it as the best building at the fair! Because of this, Scott received a silver medal for his excellent work. He was also made an honorary citizen of New York City by the Mayor, Fiorello La Guardia. Other famous architects, like Alvar Aalto from Finland and Oscar Niemeyer from Brazil, also designed buildings for this fair.
Designing Busáras
Scott received three big projects from Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), Ireland's transport company. These included the Inchicore Chassis Works, the Donnybrook Bus Garage (1952), and his most famous work, the Dublin Central Bus Station. This building is known as àras Mhic Dhiarmada or Busáras. Even though Busáras was a bit controversial at first, it later won Scott the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland Triennial Gold Medal for Architecture.
Promoting Irish Art
Scott also founded and chaired Rosc for many years. Rosc '67 was a very large and important art exhibition in Ireland. It showed ancient Irish treasures alongside many modern artworks. The Rosc exhibitions continued for 21 years.
Later Years
Later, Ronnie Tallon and Robin Walker became partners in Scott's firm. In 1975, the company was renamed Scott Tallon Walker. This happened shortly after the firm won the RIBA Royal Gold Medal, a very important award in architecture. Michael Scott spent most of his life living at Sandycove Point, south of Dún Laoghaire in Dublin. He was buried near Sneem in County Kerry.
Key Works
- 1938–1939: Irish Pavilion, New York World's Fair, New York
- 1945–1953: Busáras, Store Street, Dublin
- 1946–1948: Chassis factory, Inchicore
- 1946–1951: Bus garage at Donnybrook
