Basic Biographical Details

Name: James Douglas Nairn
Designation:  
Born: 28 May 1906
Died: 17 April 1997
Bio Notes: James Douglas Nairn was born on 28 May 1906, the son of James Nairn cabinet maker and his wife Catherine Oglivie. He was articled to Carver & Symon of Arbroath in October 1923. He commenced his studies at Dundee Technical College the following year, and was an assistant teacher of building construction there from September 1928. He remained with Carver & Symon briefly as improver after completing his apprenticeship, moving to Perth to join the firm of GPK Young & Son as assistant in February 1929. He was still there when he was admitted LRIBA on 9 February 1937, proposed by Charles Geddes Soutar and the then president and secretary of the Dundee Institute of Architects.

Nairn was still living at Craigmore, Carnoustie in 1939-40.

In 1947 Nairn was assumed into partnership in the Thoms & Wilkie practice the senior partner then being Patrick Hill Thoms. He later became a partner along with Thomas Hill Thoms. In 1953 he was elected FRIAS.

He retired in 1975. He was FRIAS. He died of congestive heart failure at Stracathro Hospital on 17 April 1997, survived by his wife Helen Forrester Campbell and his son Douglas, recently retired from his post as Principal Architect, Ross & Cromarty area, Highland Council, and his son Campbell, Clubmaster of Cochrane Castle Golf Club.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 1Craigmore, Philip Street, Carnoustie, Angus, ScotlandPrivate19361997 

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 4Carver & SymonOctober 1923October 1928Apprentice 
Item 2 of 4Carver & SymonOctober 1928January 1929Improver 
Item 3 of 4G P K Young & Son1929After 1936Assistant 
Item 4 of 4Thoms & Wilkie19471975Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 1Charles Geddes Soutar9 February 1937for Licentiateship

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 81957Dundee High School  DundeeScotlandInterior remodelling. Per Builder p654
Item 2 of 81959Camperdown Church and Hall  DundeeScotland 
Item 3 of 81969Dundee High School, gymnasium block  DundeeScotlandBrick extension to W
Item 4 of 8Late 1960sChalmers Ardler ChurchArdler DundeeScotland 
Item 5 of 81972Dundee College Gardyne Road CampusBroughty Ferry AngusScotland 
Item 6 of 81973St Andrew's Church  Dundee Halls joined to church at E
Item 7 of 8Early 1970sDundee College of EducationWest Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 8 of 8Early 1970sUniversity of Dundee, Chemistry, Sports and Botanical Buildings  DundeeScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Bailey, Rebecca M1996Scottish architects' papers: a source book Edinburgh: The Rutland Pressp90
Item 2 of 2RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1RIAS NewsletterNovember 1997v8, no9 Death note

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2H M Register HouseDeath Register  
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers L no4584 (combined box 23)