Roderick Ham

Roderick Thomas Mathieson Ham (September 1925 – 19 January 2017) was a British architect, principally of theatres, who often worked with George Finch. He designed the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, and the Thorndike Theatre in Leatherhead.

Early life Ham was born in Balham, South London. He was the son of Bob Ham, a salesman, and Rea (nee Mathieson-Macbeth).

In World War II, he served in the British Army, joining straight from school and rising to second lieutenant.

Career When he was demobbed in 1947, Ham joined the Architectural Association to start his studies as an architect, where he would return later in his career to teach.

Ham designed the Derby Playhouse with George Finch, which opened in 1975, and the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, which was built from 1977 to 1979, followed by the Sackville theatre at Sevenoaks school in Kent, in 1981. and his 1987 publication Theatres: Planning Guidance for Design and Adaptation. He was elected Master of the Art Workers' Guild in 1989.