Williamson Faulkner-Brown

Harry Faulkner-Brown, together with his partner Billy Williamson, was the architect for the Tyne and Wear Metro, Jesmond Library, the Lightfoot Sport Dome, Newcastle United East Stand and subsequently had a major influence on the design of libraries and sports centres around the world.

Born in 1920 in South Shields, he trained at the School of Architecture, Kings College, Newcastle. His training though was interrupted by the war where he gained the Military Cross for Bravery at Arnhem. After graduating in 1946, he moved to Canada where he worked for 12 years gaining experience on a number of high profile projects including the Library of Parliament in Ottawa.

In 1961 he won the commission for the Jesmond Branch library, which lead on to a number of subsequent library commissions including the Robinson Library at Newcastle University. His ten commandments of library design influenced the design of libraries around the world.

In 1962 he amalgamated his small practice with that of Billy Williamson to form Williamson Faulkner-Brown & Partners. Williamson had a good business head and strong organisational instinct, which equipped their practice for the rapid development to large-scale projects

He was appointed OBE in 1982 for his contribution to architecture and his work in the social services.