Basic Biographical Details Name: | T Bowhill Gibson & Laing | Designation: | | Born: | Mid 1930s | Died: | After 1949 | Bio Notes: | Thomas Bowhill Gibson was born on 1 March 1895 and was articled to James Inch Morrison in 1913, attending morning and evening classes at the Edinburgh College of Art and Heriot-Watt College. He commenced war service in 1916 and on his demobilisation in 1919 found employment as an assistant to James Davidson Cairns, with whom he remained until January 1922 when he set up practice on his own account. In the following year he took temporary work in Alex Allan Foote's office, assisting 'on plans for W S Farmer's project, which came to nothing'. He applied for Licentiateship of the RIBA in January 1931 but for as yet unknown reasons was not admitted until 6 February 1939, his proposers being James Inch Morrison, Robert Stirling Reid and the then secretary of the Edinburgh Architectural Association, of which he was then Vice-President. His travels prior to that time appear to have been limited to Britain and had included study visits to Bolton Abbey, Coldingham Priory, Dunbar, Skipton, Newcastle and London.
By the time of his admittance as ARIBA Gibson, who specialised in cinema and theatre design but also carried out some domestic work, had entered into partnership with James William Laing as T Bowhill Gibson & Laing. Laing had been born on 26 April 1908 and articled to Gibson in January 1924, attending classes at Edinburgh College of Art and Heriot-Watt College under John Begg. On completion of his apprenticeship in January 1929 he had remained with Gibson as assistant. He had been admitted ARIBA on 4 December 1933, his proposers being Begg, John Jerdan and Thomas Forbes Maclennan. He was also an Associate of the Edinburgh Architectural Association.
Laing continued the practice under the existing name at their offices at 36 Palmerston Place after Gibson's death on 27 September 1949 at his home Strath House, Avonbridge. Gibson was cremated at Warriston and survived by his widow Marjorie Ross.
Laing died suddenly on 20 January 1978, his death being reported to the RIBA by his widow Martha M Laing. They had been living at 10 Templeland Road, Edinburgh. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 19, Manor Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | Mid 1930s | 1948 | Builder 24 September 1948 p372 | | 36, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1949 * | | Builder 24 December 1948 p753 |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployees or Pupils
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Post Office Directories | | | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Builder | 4 November 1949 | | | p595 | | Builder | 31 March 1950 | | | p438 | | Builder | 23 May 1952 | | | p792 | | Builder | 6 June 1952 | | | p865 |
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