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Basic Biographical Details

Name: Thomas Smith Cordiner
Designation: Architect
Born: 13 December 1902
Died: 24 November 1965
Bio Notes: Thomas Smith Cordiner was born on 13 December 1902, the son of Aubrey Cordiner, restaurateur and his wife Elizabeth Allan. He was articled to James Lindsay of Glasgow in January 1920, studying at Glasgow High School and Glasgow School of Architecture. In April 1925 he left Lindsay to join Wright & Wylie as a draughtsman. He passed the Senior Certificate course at the School of Architecture in June 1927, passed the RIBA qualifying exam in Edinburgh in July 1928, and was admitted ARIBA later that year, without proposers. He remained with the Wylie firm until 1932 when he commenced practice on his own account, and was elected FRIBA on 11 January 1949, proposed by Edward Grigg Wylie, George Ferguson Shanks and Walter Underwood, all of whom were then partners in the Wylie practice. At that time he was practising from 261 West George Street and living at 26 Midlothian Drive, Glasgow.

Cordiner was re-elected president of the Glasgow Institute of Architects on 10 April 1957. He was elected president of the RIAS in 1961.

Cordiner (along with Sam Bunton [400802], was appointed as an architectural consultant to the Direct Labour Dept by Glasgow Corporation to prepare plans for multi-storey flats in 1960.

Cordiner was married to Margaret Violet Gillanders McLean. He died of lung cancer on 24 November 1965 at Mearnskirk Hospital, leaving moveable estate of £53,764 19s 6d. His practice was continued by his son, Thomas O M Cordiner. His brother Albert Dick Cordiner (born 1905) was also an architect.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this architect:
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 526, Midlothian Drive, Shawlands, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivateBefore 1928After 1948 
Item 2 of 5261, West George Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusinessBefore 19351950 
Item 3 of 5261, West George Street, Glasgow, C2, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1949After 1957 
Item 4 of 5Blythswood Chambers, West George Street, Blythswood, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness(?)1951  
Item 5 of 5124, Haggs Road, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivateBefore 1965  

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this architect (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 4Thomas Cordiner & Partners  Partner 
Item 2 of 4James LindsayJanuary 1920April 1925Apprentice 
Item 3 of 4Wright & WylieApril 19251928Draughtsman 
Item 4 of 4Wylie, Wright & Wylie19281932Draughtsman 

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this architect (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 8Elizabeth Bell Ramsay (née McLaren) 1941 Apprentice 
Item 2 of 8Jeffrey RowbothamJune 1941September 1943Apprentice 
Item 3 of 8Peter Lamont Burnside Borthwick19431951Apprentice 
Item 4 of 8Richard Rudolphe Chitham De'AthMid 1945Mid 1945 2 months' summer work while student
Item 5 of 8Richard Rudolphe Chitham De'AthMid 1946Mid 1946 2 months' summer work while student
Item 6 of 8James Boyne Watson1947After 1954Senior Assistant 
Item 7 of 8Douglas Gordon McKellar Adam19511952Assistant Architect 
Item 8 of 8Peter Lamont Burnside Borthwick19541957Assistant 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this architect for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3George Ferguson Smellie Shanks11 January 1949for Fellowship
Item 2 of 3Walter Underwood11 January 1949for Fellowship
Item 3 of 3Edward Grigg Wylie11 January 1949for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This architect proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 5Peter Lamont Burnside Borthwick27 November 1949for Associateship
Item 2 of 5Richard Rudolphe Chitham De'AthJanuary 1953for Associateship
Item 3 of 5Samuel McColl (sometimes misspelt MacColl)2 February 1954for Fellowship
Item 4 of 5James Boyne Watson2 March 1954For Licentiateship
Item 5 of 5Allan Barrowman Wilson7 October 1952For Licentiateship

Buildings and Designs

This architect was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 66 St John's RC ChurchBarrhead GlasgowScotlandPlans prepared in the late 1940s
Item 2 of 66After 1932Factory for Messrs MacLean's Metal Windows LtdCadzow LanarkshireScotland 
Item 3 of 66After 1932Philips Lighting Hamilton FactoryHamilton LanarkshireScotland 
Item 4 of 661935Terrace of four shops, Old Luss RoadHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotlandUnexecuted proposals
Item 5 of 661936St Joseph's CollegeLochwinnoch RenfrewshireScotlandConversion of Garthland to college
Item 6 of 661937St Winning's RC ChurchKilwinning GlasgowScotland 
Item 7 of 661938Notre Dame (New) Girls' High SchoolDowanhill GlasgowScotlandBuilding work interrupted - resumed after the War
Item 8 of 661943St Joseph's CollegeLochwinnoch RenfrewshireScotlandChapel added
Item 9 of 661945Old Bishopton HouseBishopton RenfrewshireScotlandAddition to north?
Item 10 of 661947Church Halls, Kelso Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 11 of 661947Mure Memorial ChurchBaillieston GlasgowScotlandConversion to home for the elderly
Item 12 of 661947New Church Halls Wallacewell Road  GlasgowScotland 
Item 13 of 661947Philips Lighting Hamilton FactoryHamilton LanarkshireScotlandFactory Extension. Cordiner acting for Scottish Industrial Estates Limited
Item 14 of 661947Premises, Duke Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 15 of 661947St Brendan's RC ChurchKnightswood GlasgowScotland 
Item 16 of 661948Acme Tea Chest Factory  GlasgowScotlandProposed addition
Item 17 of 661948Church Halls, Greenrig Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 18 of 661949Premises for Alexander Ferguson & Co LtdMaryhill GlasgowScotlandNew buildings
Item 19 of 661950Catholic Primary School, King's ParkKing's Park GlasgowScotland 
Item 20 of 661950Immaculate Heart of Mary RC ChurchBalgrayhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 21 of 661950Our Lady of Fatima RC ChurchBridgeton GlasgowScotland 
Item 22 of 661951Catholic Chapel and Offices, Bishopston VillageBishopston Village RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 23 of 661951Catholic Secondary School, Kirriemuir Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 24 of 661951Church and Other Buildings, Millerfield RoadDaharnoch GlasgowScotland 
Item 25 of 661951Lourdes Secondary School  GlasgowScotland 
Item 26 of 661952Church halls, Barnhill Road  GlasgowScotlandNew halls
Item 27 of 661952New halls, PollokPollok GlasgowScotlandNew halls
Item 28 of 661952Primary School, KirkwoodCoatbridge  ScotlandNew school
Item 29 of 661952St Mary's RC ChurchDuntocher DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 30 of 661952Wellpark Brewery, TownheadDennistoun GlasgowScotlandPlans prepared for extensions
Item 31 of 667 November 1952RC Church, Bilsland Drive  GlasgowScotlandReconstruction and additions
Item 32 of 6621 November 1952New Presbytery, Alice StreetMaryhill GlasgowScotlandNew presbytery
Item 33 of 6612 December 1952New amenities block for Federated Foundries Ltd, Hawthorn StreetSpringburn GlasgowScotlandNew amenities block
Item 34 of 661953Our Lady of the Assumption RuchillGlasgowScotland 
Item 35 of 661953Roman Catholic Primary School, CoatbridgeCoatbridge LanarkshireScotlandTo prepare plans for new school
Item 36 of 6612 June 1953New Protestant Public School, Lanarkshire  LanarkshireScotlandTo prepare plans for new school
Item 37 of 6614 August 1953New church, Bilsland Drive  GlasgowScotlandPlans in hand for new church
Item 38 of 6620 November 1953Wellpark Brewery, TownheadDennistoun GlasgowScotlandPlans in hand for additions and extensions
Item 39 of 664 December 1953Premises of Acme Tea Chest Co Ltd, Glasgow  GlasgowScotlandNew building
Item 40 of 6611 December 1953New Protestant Secondary School, TownheadCoatbridge LanarkshireScotlandSketch plans prepared and approved for new school (with Watt)
Item 41 of 661954Roman Catholic Church, Penilee Road Housing SchemeBalornock GlasgowScotland 
Item 42 of 661954St Jude's RC ChurchBarlanark GlasgowScotland 
Item 43 of 661954St Mirin's Primary SchoolCastlemilk GlasgowScotland 
Item 44 of 661954St Peter's RC Church and PresbyteryPartick GlasgowScotland 
Item 45 of 661954St Thomas the Apostle RCRiddrie GlasgowScotland 
Item 46 of 661955Kingsridge Secondary School  GlasgowScotland 
Item 47 of 661955RC Church of the Immaculate ConceptionMaryhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 48 of 661955Scotus CollegeBearsden GlasgowScotlandBuildings to N S and W of main house and chapel
Item 49 of 661955St Bartholomew RC Church, Croftfoot DriveCastlemilk GlasgowScotland 
Item 50 of 661955St Brigid RC ChurchKing's Park GlasgowScotland 
Item 51 of 661955St Cadoc RC ChurchCambuslang GlasgowScotland 
Item 52 of 661955St Gabriel RC ChurchCathcart GlasgowScotland 
Item 53 of 661955St Maria Goretti RC ChurchCranhill GlasgowScotlandExecuted work
Item 54 of 661956St Margaret Mary RC Church, Dougrie RoadCastlemilk GlasgowScotland 
Item 55 of 661957Christ the King RC Church  GlasgowScotland 
Item 56 of 661957Our Lady and St George RC Church  GlasgowScotland 
Item 57 of 661957St Stephen's RC ChurchDalmuir DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 58 of 6611 January 1957Premises at 1-7 Cubie Street and 616 Gallowgate, Vinegar HillVinegar Hill GlasgowScotlandBuilder p121
Item 59 of 668 March 1957Church, Sandwood Road  GlasgowScotlandper Builder p482
Item 60 of 661960Clydebank Technical CollegeClydebank DunbartonshireScotlandOriginal college building
Item 61 of 661960St Barnabas RC Church  GlasgowScotland 
Item 62 of 661961St Bernard RC ChurchPollok GlasgowScotland 
Item 63 of 661962Hillpark DevelopmentHillpark GlasgowScotlandResponsible for proposal for eight 28-storey blocks
Item 64 of 661972Roman Court, flats and townhousesBearsden GlasgowScotland 
Item 65 of 661974Oman projects   United Arab Emirates 
Item 66 of 66 Linn Park Crematorium  GlasgowScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this architect:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4Glendinning, Miles1997Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75  Tuckwell Press Ltdp4 Notre Dame School; Lourdes School
p5 Immaculate Conception Church, Glasgow
p175-6 Lourdes School
p176-7 Notre Dame High School
Item 2 of 4Glendinning, Miles and Muthesius, Stefan1994Tower Block: Modern Public Housing in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Yale University Press: New Haven and Londonp243, p244
p381, Gazetteer 2
Item 3 of 4RIBA1939The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 4 of 4RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this architect:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 33Architect and Building News27 January 1960  p106
Item 2 of 33Builder5 August 1949  p184
Item 3 of 33Builder7 April 1950  p472
Item 4 of 33Builder30 June 1950  p889
Item 5 of 33Builder16 November 1951  p697
Item 6 of 33Builder2 February 1951  p186
Item 7 of 33Builder18 May 1951  p719
Item 8 of 33Builder3 August 1951  p166
Item 9 of 33Builder18 January 1952  p137
Item 10 of 33Builder2 May 1952  p685
Item 11 of 33Builder6 June 1952  p865
Item 12 of 33Builder1 August 1952  p180
Item 13 of 33Builder7 November 1952  p688
Item 14 of 33Builder21 November 1952  p768
Item 15 of 33Builder12 December 1952  p892
Item 16 of 33Builder22 May 1953  p812
Item 17 of 33Builder12 June 1953  p933
Item 18 of 33Builder14 August 1953  p264
Item 19 of 33Builder20 November 1953  p814
Item 20 of 33Builder4 December 1953  p903
Item 21 of 33Builder11 December 1953  p946
Item 22 of 33Builder28 May 1954  p958
Item 23 of 33Builder18 June 1954  p1091
Item 24 of 33Builder11 January 1957  p121
Item 25 of 33Builder26 April 1957  p775
Item 26 of 33Builder14 October 1960  'Glasgow Architectural Appointments' p721
Item 27 of 33Builder23 June 1961  'President's Advice to Students' p1226
Item 28 of 33Builder17 November 1961  'Estimates for Design' p969
Item 29 of 33Builder19 October 1962  p769-70 Hillpark
Item 30 of 33Glasgow Herald27 November 1965  obituary - 5d
Item 31 of 33InterbuildSeptember 1962  p35 Hillpark
Item 32 of 33Official Architecture and PlanningOctober 1962  p619, p631 Hillpark
Item 33 of 33Surveyor8 September 1962  p1111-1112 Hillpark

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this architect:
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no4234 (combined box 2); F no4421 (combined box 13)

Images

© All rights reserved. ©and courtesy of RIAS 

© All rights reserved. ©and courtesy of RIAS