|
The
building was to be used as a clinic for the welfare of the children
of the County of Renfrew and the Burgh of Paisley. The building
was planned and designed by Paisley firm of architects, Abercrombie
& Maitland. After the death of the senior partner, it became
the particular responsibility of J. Steal Maitland, F.R.I.B.A.,
the junior partner of the firm. Miss Agnes Russell had placed no
financial restrictions on the building, and as a befitted a monumental
memorial as well as a functional building, wanted a design away
from everyday architecture. Archibald McFadyen, a partner in R.
&T. Russell who conducted her affairs, supported her in this
view.
Mr
Maitland designed a building on vertical lines rather than the more
horizontal lines, which had become the trend for economic reasons
since the end of the First World War.
The
site chosen for Russell Institute was a prominent one at the corner
of New Street and Causeyside Street, although it was somewhat circumscribed
for the purpose. It was then occupied by shops and the old tenement
property, much of it in poor condition . Although the reluctance
of some of the tenants to move e.g. Rag Merchant Bailie Brown -
"Doon Brown" - caused frustrating delay work began about
1924.
The
Russell Institute made architectural history having the first skeleton
fabric of reinforced concrete in the West of Scotland. It was clad
in Blaxter Freestone from the Borders, on a base of black Aberdeen
granite. The windows arranged to give the maximum amount of natural
light without distracting from the overall external appearance have
quite imperishable bronze frames.
Mr
Archibald Dawson, a sculptor of great promise was chosen to carry
out the architect's designs for a group and figures in bronze and
other materials. The main doorway is surmounted by a large maternal
figure in bronze with her brood flanked by two shields one the paisley
Coat of Arms, the other the symbol of Aesculapius, God of Medicine
with a serpent twisted round a staff. Both are in copper with heraldic
enamel in brilliant colour. Above the large window is the massive
bronze figure of a protective angel guarding the young generation
in its arms with the motto A DEO SALUS "Health comes from God
This wording carved in the stone work. Around the building at lower
level are smaller figures in bronze each indicating a particular
aspect of the work carried out in the building, e.g. Dentistry,
Eye ailments.
Mr
Dawson although with little practical experience fulfilled his work
with skill but a career which could have led to fame was cut short
by his early death possibly caused exposure to stone dust.
Italian
marble was used internally to embellish the large and lofty hall
which is three storey's high and the main staircase. Small wrought-iron
balconies adorned the first floor windows till about 1960. The building
was completed in 1926-27, but the total cost of the project was
never revealed.
The
formal opening ceremony was performed by H.R.H. Princess Mary, the
Princess Royal. On 19th Mach 1927 Princess Mary was presented with
a golden key designed by the architect bearing copies of the heraldic
symbols at the door on behalf of everyone responsible for carrying
out work on the building.
Unfortunately
Miss Russell who would have been made an honorary burgess of Paisley
along with Mr W H Coats, in recognition of her magnificent gift
to the Burgh, died in London in June 1926 before seeing her plans
come to fruition.
The
Russell Institute is still in full use and almost every Buddie today
has been through its caring hands.
(This
was written by Les Fernie who does guided tours on Paisley to find
out more press here)
  
|
