| History | Ralph Knowles was born 7 July 1917. After attending Adelaide High School as a boy Ralph began working at L.G. Abbott’s as a Design Draftsman in the glass and shopfitting field. During the war he worked at General Motors Holden’s on aircraft project engineering and motor body styling. At the end of the war he spent 3 years freelancing as a shopfitting and commercial designer. Ralph then obtained employment with Lawson, Cheesman and Doley. He dedicated over 20 years of his life to architectural design. In that time he was made an Associate of the Company. During his 22 years with Cheesman, Doley, Neighbour and Raffen Ralph was responsible for planning, documentation and administration work ranging over homes for the aged, hotels, motels, cinemas, drive-ins, service stations, hospitals, schools, and multi-storey office buildings in South Australia, specific examples include: Renmark Hotel, Greater Union theatres, Wilochra and Nunyara chapels, Regency Park School of Food and Catering, and Reynella Lodge. Following this he started his own business – Studio Knoll, finally retiring due to failing eyesight. His many interests included making furniture, bicycling, and playing music. Ralph Knowles died on 11 August 2004. |