Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alexander Buchanan Gardner
Designation:  
Born: 25 September 1889
Died: 24 March 1961
Bio Notes: Alexander Buchanan Gardner was born on 25 September 1889 in Lanarkshire, and was articled to W M Robertson of Glasgow from 1905 to 1910, studying at the Glasgow Technical College. He spent the next three years assisting first Albert V Gardner, then John Campbell McKellar of McKellar Davis & Gunn, before becoming Principal Assistant Architect for the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire County Council in 1914. He remained there until 1926 when he moved to Aberdeen to become Architect and Director of Housing for the Town Council, and by 1930 he had become a member of the Council of the Aberdeen Society of Architects. Later he held the post pf President of the Society and was appointed to the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee in 1944. In 1945 he became Chairman of the committee appointed to advise the Scottish Secretary on possible use of prefabrication in the production of permanent houses.

He was admitted LRIBA in early 1931, his proposers being William Liddle Duncan, Robert Gordon Wilson Junior and Clement George. By that time he had carried out housing schemes to a total value of £1,000,000. He was still City Architect of Aberdeen when he was elected FRIBA on 7 January 1941, proposed by the RIBA Council. He retired from the post of Director of Housing on 20 September 1954.

He died on 23 March 1961 and was survived by his widow Mabel Leila Wood and and his son.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 514, Hamilton Place, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate1930 *  
Item 2 of 5Town House, Aberdeen, ScotlandBusiness1930 *  
Item 3 of 5Municipal Offices/11, Broad Street, Aberdeen, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1939 *  
Item 4 of 522, Polmuir Road, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate1941 *  
Item 5 of 5Municipal Offices, Bridge Street, The Castlegate, Aberdeen, ScotlandBusiness1950After 1954 

* earliest date known from documented sources.


Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 5W M Robertson19051910Apprentice 
Item 2 of 5Albert Victor Gardner1911Before 1914Assistant 
Item 3 of 5McKellar Davis & GunnAfter 19111914Assistant 
Item 4 of 5Lanarkshire County Architect's Department1914(?)1924Principal Assistant 
Item 5 of 5Aberdeen City Architect's Department (later City of Aberdeen District Council Architects Division)4 August 192430 September 1954Chief ArchitectDirector of Housing and Superintendent of Town's Properties, renamed City Architect in 1934

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 6Frederick Wright17 February 1926c. 1931Apprenticein Aberdeen City Architect's Department
Item 2 of 6Leo Durninc. 19321936AssistantIn Aberdeen City Architect's Office
Item 3 of 6John Charles Richardson1936 or 1937After 1937AssistantIn Aberdeen City Architect's Department
Item 4 of 6Duncan James Johnston Wright19381939 in Aberdeen City Architect's Office (role unclear)
Item 5 of 6Leo Durnin1938After 1954AssistantIn Aberdeen City Architect's Office
Item 6 of 6Frederick WrightBefore 1944After 1953 in Aberdeen City Architect's Department

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 5William Liddle DuncanEarly 1931for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 5Clement GeorgeEarly 1931for Licentiateship
Item 3 of 5(Miss) Frances Mary MarquisEarly 1945for Associateship
Item 4 of 5RIBA Council7 January 1941for Fellowship
Item 5 of 5Robert Gordon Wilson (junior)Early 1931for Licentiateship

RIBA Proposals

This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 5Ronald Davidson Cruickshank14 November 1944for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 5Willie James Fenton10 February 1948For Licentiateship
Item 3 of 5John Maclennan10 April 1956For Fellowship
Item 4 of 5Duncan James Johnston Wright21 October 1941for Associateship
Item 5 of 5Frederick Wright12 December 1944for Associateship

Buildings and Designs

This 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 71After 1924Aberdeen Municipal Buildings and Tolbooth  AberdeenScotlandExtensions - as City Architect
Item 2 of 71After 1924Anderson LibraryWoodside AberdeenScotlandExtensions - as City Architect
Item 3 of 71After 1924Fish Market  AberdeenScotlandAs City Architect
Item 4 of 71After 1924Housing schemes  AberdeenScotlandAs City Architect
Item 5 of 71After 1924Police Buildings  AberdeenScotlandExtensions - as City Architect
Item 6 of 71After 1924Public Baths  AberdeenScotlandAs City Architect
Item 7 of 711930s(?)Stewart HouseCults AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations? - as City Architect
Item 8 of 711931City Hospital  AberdeenScotlandExtensions, including nurses' home - as City Architect
Item 9 of 711932Bon Accord Baths  AberdeenScotlandAs City Architect - but actually designed by McRobbie
Item 10 of 71After 1934Northfield Lodge  AberdeenScotland 
Item 11 of 711935Commercial Buildings  AberdeenScotland 
Item 12 of 711936Woodend Hospital, Nurses' Home  AberdeenScotlandNew nurses' home - as City Architect
Item 13 of 711938Kingseat Asylum, nurses homeKinsgeat AberdeenshireScotlandAddition - as City Architect
Item 14 of 711941Aberdeen Maternity Hospital  AberdeenScotlandAnte-natal hospital added - as City Architect
Item 15 of 71Before 1941Woodend Hospital  AberdeenScotlandTwin theatres, radiology department and cubicle isolation block - as City Architect
Item 16 of 711944Commercial and domestic buildings  AberdeenScotlandHouses upgraded
Item 17 of 711945Tenements, Rosemount Square  AberdeenScotlandAs City Architect but with Durnin as designer
Item 18 of 711948King Street Public School  AberdeenScotlandAdditions
Item 19 of 711950High School for Girls  AberdeenScotland 
Item 20 of 711950Multi-storey Block of Shops and Nursery, Beston Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 21 of 711950Nursery School, The Northfield     
Item 22 of 711950Pelfordals House  AberdeenScotlandFor extensions to form nurses' home
Item 23 of 711950Primary School, KainhillKainhill AberdeenScotland 
Item 24 of 711950Public School, Middlefield  AberdeenScotland 
Item 25 of 711951Block of Flats, Mair Street  AberdeenScotland 
Item 26 of 711951Hanover Street Primary School  AberdeenScotland 
Item 27 of 711951Infants' School, Carnegie ParkCarnegie Park AberdeenScotland 
Item 28 of 711951Inverdee Infants' SchoolInverdee AberdeenshireScotlandTo prepare plans for extensions
Item 29 of 711951Nursery Infants' School, CornhillCornhill AberdeenScotland 
Item 30 of 711951Provost Skene's House  AberdeenScotlandAs City Architect - restoration
Item 31 of 711951Scheme of 100 Houses, NorthfieldNorthfield AberdeenScotlandAs Municipal Housing Officer
Item 32 of 711952Housing, Ashgrove Road  AberdeenScotlandAs City Architect
Item 33 of 711952Housing, Ashgrove Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 34 of 711952Housing, Back Hilton Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 35 of 711952Housing, Rosehall Drive and Cairnie Road  AberdeenScotlandNew housing
Item 36 of 711952Housing, West Burn Drive  AberdeenScotland 
Item 37 of 711952Junior Secondary School, Northfield  AberdeenScotland 
Item 38 of 711952Public school, AuchnagattAuchnagatt AberdeenshireScotlandPrepared plans for new school
Item 39 of 711952Rosemount Junior Secondary School  AberdeenScotlandReconstruction
Item 40 of 711952Shops, Abbotswell CrescentKincorth AberdeenScotlandNew shops
Item 41 of 711952Shops, Lambhill Terrace  AberdeenScotlandNew shops
Item 42 of 711952Shops, Northfield  AberdeenScotlandNew shops
Item 43 of 711953Aberdeen CrematoriumKaimhill AberdeenScotlandExtension
Item 44 of 711953Flats, AshgroveAshgrove AberdeenScotlandAs City Architect
Item 45 of 711953Library and Community Centre, Northfield Housing Site  AberdeenScotlandNew library and community centre
Item 46 of 711953New public school, MarlrickMarlrick AberdeenScotlandNew public school
Item 47 of 711953Police Houses, Kingorth EstateKingorth AberdeenScotlandPlans in hand for 24 new police houses
Item 48 of 7127 February 1953Junior Secondary School, Cummings Park  AberdeenScotlandNew school
Item 49 of 7127 March 1953Houses and shops, Spring Gardens Site  AberdeenScotlandNew houses and shops
Item 50 of 713 July 1953Pubic School, BucksburnBucksburn AberdeenScotlandNew school
Item 51 of 7110 July 1953Public School, Aberdeen  AberdeenScotlandNew school
Item 52 of 7124 July 1953Housing, Mastrick  AberdeenScotlandPlans prepared for 294 new houses
Item 53 of 719 October 1953Militia Barracks and depot  AberdeenScotlandAlterations and additions for new transport dept
Item 54 of 7116 October 1953Old Folks' Home, Polmuir Road  AberdeenScotland£29,000 extension
Item 55 of 716 November 1953Newmills Home, Aberdeen  AberdeenScotlandReconstruction
Item 56 of 7113 November 1953Corporation Housing, Aberdeen  AberdeenScotlandPlans in hand for scheme of 70 houses
Item 57 of 7120 November 1953Housing, Mastrick  AberdeenScotlandTo prepare plans for 222 houses
Item 58 of 711954Aberdeen Grammar School  AberdeenScotland 
Item 59 of 711954Community Centre and LibraryNorthfields AberdeenScotlandTo prepare plans for new community centre and library
Item 60 of 711954Community Centre, Mastrick Site  AberdeenScotland 
Item 61 of 711954Housing, Spittal  AberdeenScotland 
Item 62 of 711954Infant and Nursery School, and Primary School, Mastrick Housing Site  AberdeenScotlandNew schools
Item 63 of 718 January 1954Maternity and Child Welfare Clinic, Northfield  AberdeenScotlandPlans prepared and approved for new maternity and child welfare clinic
Item 64 of 7119 March 1954Woodside Primary School, Aberdeen  AberdeenScotlandTo prepare plans for reconstruction, with additions
Item 65 of 71Before 1954The Beach BallroomSea Beach AberdeenScotlandAlterations?
Item 66 of 71Before 1954Tullos Industrial Estate  AberdeenScotlandAs City Architect
Item 67 of 711955Dressing Rooms, Hazelhead Park  AberdeenScotland 
Item 68 of 711955Dressing Rooms, Inverdee Park  AberdeenScotland 
Item 69 of 711955Housing, SummerfieldDalmarnock GlasgowScotland 
Item 70 of 711955Housing, Summerhill SiteDumfries DumfriesshireScotland 
Item 71 of 711955Pavilion Clubhouse, Galnagest Golf Course  AberdeenScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Aberdeen Town Council Town Council Minutes This is a published version of the Minutes (no bibliographical details known as yet)Volume for 1924 (4 August), p313
Item 2 of 2RIBA1939The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 46Aberdeen Evening Express24 March 1961  Obituary
Item 2 of 46Aberdeen Press and Journal24 March 1961  Obituary
Item 3 of 46Builder24 November 1950  p550
Item 4 of 46Builder1 December 1950  p582
Item 5 of 46Builder15 December 1950  p649
Item 6 of 46Builder8 December 1950  p617
Item 7 of 46Builder1 September 1950  p296
Item 8 of 46Builder26 January 1951  p155
Item 9 of 46Builder9 November 1951  p646
Item 10 of 46Builder2 March 1951  p332
Item 11 of 46Builder9 March 1951  p367
Item 12 of 46Builder13 April 1951  p534
Item 13 of 46Builder20 April 1951  p569
Item 14 of 46Builder4 April 1952  p536
Item 15 of 46Builder11 April 1952  p572
Item 16 of 46Builder30 May 1952  p828
Item 17 of 46Builder18 July 1952  p112
Item 18 of 46Builder15 August 1952  p248
Item 19 of 46Builder27 February 1953  p360
Item 20 of 46Builder20 March 1953  p472
Item 21 of 46Builder27 March 1953  p509
Item 22 of 46Builder22 May 1953  p812
Item 23 of 46Builder29 May 1953  p849
Item 24 of 46Builder3 July 1953  p40
Item 25 of 46Builder10 July 1953  p80
Item 26 of 46Builder24 July 1953  p156
Item 27 of 46Builder9 October 1953  p560
Item 28 of 46Builder16 October 1953  p600
Item 29 of 46Builder6 November 1953  p720
Item 30 of 46Builder13 November 1953  p764
Item 31 of 46Builder27 November 1953  p862
Item 32 of 46Builder8 January 1954  p77
Item 33 of 46Builder15 January 1954  p161
Item 34 of 46Builder19 March 1954  p528
Item 35 of 46Builder2 April 1954  p616
Item 36 of 46Builder9 April 1954  p655
Item 37 of 46Builder7 May 1954  p830
Item 38 of 46Builder23 July 1954  p157
Item 39 of 46Builder6 August 1954  p239
Item 40 of 46Builder13 August 1954  p279
Item 41 of 46Builder14 January 1955  p116
Item 42 of 46Builder4 February 1955  p236
Item 43 of 46Builder18 March 1955  p492
Item 44 of 46Builder1 April 1955  p572
Item 45 of 46Builder8 April 1955  p612
Item 46 of 46Industrialised Building Systems and ComponentsApril 1967  p9-11 Summerfield, Dalmarnock

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers L no3704 (box 15); F no3822 (box 29)