Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Biographical Details Name: | Andrew Douglas Bryce | Designation: | Architect | Born: | 26 January 1890 | Died: | Early 1940s | Bio Notes: | Andrew Douglas Bryce was born in Paisley on 26 January 1890, the son of James Bryce, joiner, and his wife Ann Prentice. He was almost certainly articled to John Burnet & Son and he was already an assistant in Glasgow when John James Burnet took him to Montague Place, London, as part of the British Museum team, probably in 1905, but perhaps slightly later. He seems to have returned to Scotland after this as he was an assistant with J M Monro & Son from 1907-1912. During this period he studied at Paisley Technical College and at Glasgow School of Architecture. In 1912 he returned to London to become an assistant to Frederick Moore Simpson who was at that time Professor of Architecture at University College London. In 1913 he made a study trip to Paris. He was elected ARIBA in 1920, his proposers being Frederick Moore Simpson, Albert Edward Richardson and Arthur Stratton. He appears to have returned to the employ of Burnet in London sometime after 1920 or perhaps held the teaching post in University College at the same time as working for Burnet.
Bryce was a fine draughtsman and an excellent manager, rising to prominence within Sir John Burnet & Partners as the senior assistant in charge of the Daily Telegraph Building project. He survived the purge of older Burnet assistants when Francis Lorne became a partner in 1930, and was put in charge of the St Andrew's House team when Tait received the commission in December 1933. Thereafter his time was divided between the London and Edinburgh offices, particularly after he was also put in charge of the team assembled for the Glasgow Empire Exhibition of 1938.
Bryce held an exceptional position within the Burnet Tait & Lorne office as Tait's right-hand man. He was never taken into partnership, although a perfectionist like Burnet and Tait themselves; he commanded huge affection amongst the staff who recalled that 'he had no fingernails at all, bitten right down to the quick in his anxiety to meet the standards of perfection expected of him'.
Bryce died of cancer during the Second World War. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | Glasgow, Scotland | Business | After 1880 | c. 1905 | |  | London, England | Business | c. 1905 | After 1933 | |  | 68, Kirkstall Road, Streatham Hill, London, England | Private | 1920 | | |  | Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1933 | | Spent some time in Edinburgh office of Burnet, Tait & Lorne from 1933 |
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this architect (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes |  | (Sir) John James Burnet | c. 1905 | | Apprentice(?) | Uncertain position |  | J M Monro & Son | 1907 | 1912 | Apprentice | |  | (Sir) John Burnet & Partners | 1920 * | 1930 | Assistant | Latterly senior assistant. Initally we had 1918 as the start date with Burnet but not mentioned in ARIBA papers |  | (Sir) John Burnet, Tait & Lorne | 1930 | Early 1940s | Senior Assistant | Split time between London and Edinburgh offices from 1933 |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
RIBARIBA Proposers
Buildings and DesignsThis architect was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes |  | 1925 | Daily Telegraph Building | | | London | England | In charge of project, as senior assistant to Sir John Burnet & Partners |  | 1933 | Scottish Office buildings | Calton Hill | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Executed scheme, known as St Andrew's House - in office of Burnet, Tait & Lorne |  | 1936 | Glasgow Empire Exhibition, masterplan | Bellahouston | | Glasgow | Scotland | As assistant to Tait in Burnet, Tait & Lorne |  | Before 1941 | War damage repair to 12,000 houses (approx) | Clydebank | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Assisted Bunton |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this architect: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | Glendinning, Miles | 1997 | Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75 | | Tuckwell Press Ltd | p2 Illustration of St Andrew's House |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this architect: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes |  | Builder | 12 March 1943 | | | p249 [Obituary] |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this architect: | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes |  | Professor David M Walker personal archive | Professor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material | | Information from personal recollections of Esmé Gordon, Margaret Brodie and Harold Cullerne Pratt |  | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | A 1920 no 2943 (microfilm reel 24) |
Images © All rights reserved. Scottish Architect and Builder's Journal 1938 |