Reginald Sharman Wilshere (1888–1961) MC, F.R.I.B.A., P.A.S.I., was an architect. He is best remembered for his much celebrated school designs in

Belfast Belfast ( , ; from ga, Béal Feirste , meaning 'mouth of the sand-bank ford') is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdom ...

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...

in the 1920s and 1930s. Wilshere was from

Essex Essex () is a county in the East of England. One of the home counties, it borders Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to the north, the North Sea to the east, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent across the estuary of the River Thames to the south, and Grea ...

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

and took over responsibility for building Belfast's schools in 1926. In all he oversaw the construction of 26 schools of various sizes and styles. Wilshere's team were skilful in a number of architectural styles and are attributed to have built the first modern movement style schools anywhere in Ireland.

The Buildings

1928 – 30 Strandtown Primary School, North Road, East Belfast Symmetrical composition in Neo Georgian style. The façade formally terminates an avenue. Matching caretaker's house incorporates changing rooms for the playing field. Scroll topped gate piers. Received RIBA Ulster Architecture Gold Medal 1930. 1930 – 33 Elmgrove Primary School, Beersbridge Road, East Belfast Informal and picturesque composition around courtyards. In South English Vernacular style. In rustic brick with plain tiled roofs. Includes a sculptural panel by John McCann depicting education reclining below the Tree of Knowledge. Opened 1932 1933-5 - Avoneil Primary School, Avoneil Road, East Belfast Modern in style. Built in brick. Includes Art Deco panels depicting stylised elephants. The building was built by WM Logan and Sons Ltd and opened in August 1935 1934- 6 - Nettlefield Primary School, East Belfast Built on the site of nettlefield House, near Woodstock Road.Belfast newsletter, Wednesday, September 9, 1936 - A New Belfast School In Dudok's Dutch brick style with tower and glazed lantern. 1936 – Botanic Primary School, South Belfast 1936 - McQuiston Memorial School, Donegall Pass Sydenham Infant's School, Strandburn Street, East Belfast

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilshere, Reginald Sherman Architects from Essex Fellows of the Royal Institute of British Architects 1888 births 1961 deaths