Basic Biographical Details

Name: Joseph Murray Aitken
Designation:  
Born: 3 May 1921
Died: 10 February 1975
Bio Notes: Joseph Murray Aitken was born on 3 May 1921, the son of Adam Moffat Aitken, mechancial engineer and his wife, Isabella Michie Murray. He studied architecture at Edinburgh College of Art and was articled to J P Alison & Hobkirk in 1936. He remained with the practice and became partner in 1951. He was admitted ARIBA in that same year and was elected ARIAS in 1956. In 1959 Aitken joined Charles F J Turnbull in partnership and they opened an office in Galashiels.

Charles F J Turnbull was articled to Alexander Inglis of Hawick in 1936, and was taken into partnership in 1950, the practice becoming Alexander Inglis & Partners. In 1957, whilst remaining a partner with Inglis, also became a partner in the Galashiels practice of Elder & Cairns. Two years later he formed the partnership with Joseph Murray Aitken. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1965.

Aitken & Turnbull took over the practice of Elder & Cairns in 1962. In the 1960s Aitken & Turnbull's work was dominated by local authority housing work for the Town Councils of Galashiels, Melrose and Selkirk.

Joseph Murray Aitken died of a coronary at Roughheugh, Greensidehall Road, Hawick on 10 February 1975. He was survived by his wife Evelyn Wilson Michie.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 3Galashiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland    
Item 2 of 3East Bank House, Hawick, Roxburghshire, ScotlandPrivate1956 *  
Item 3 of 3Roughheugh, Greensidehall Road, Hawick, Roxburghshire, ScotlandPrivateBefore 1960 *After 1970 

* 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 3J P Alison & George Hobkirk1936 Apprentice 
Item 2 of 3J P Alison & George Hobkirk1951 Partner 
Item 3 of 3Aitken & Turnbull19591975Partner 

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 181953Ladylaw HouseHawick RoxburghshireScotlandProperty split into two
Item 2 of 181960sHousing, Allars Crescent, Deanfield and SpringbankHawick RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 3 of 181960sTown centre redevelopmentJedburgh RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 4 of 181966St Dunstan's Park HousingMelrose RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 5 of 181968Croft Street HousingGalashiels SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 6 of 181968Housing, Lintburn PlaceGalashiels SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 7 of 181969Focus Youth ClubGalashiels SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 8 of 181970Galashiels Memorial Burgh BuildingGalashiels SelkirkshireScotlandAlterations
Item 9 of 181971Douglas HotelGalashiels SelkirkshireScotlandAlterations
Item 10 of 181971HousingMelrose RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 11 of 181972Housing, Eildon CrescentMelrose RoxburghshireScotlandMay not have been involved - at retirement?
Item 12 of 181972Liddesdale Road HousingHawick Roxburghshire  
Item 13 of 181972Priorswalk HousingMelrose RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 14 of 181973Environmental improvements, High Street and St Mary's ChurchyardHawick RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 15 of 181973Heatherlie District Housing treatment areaSelkirk SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 16 of 181973Municipal officesGalashiels SelkirkshireScotlandFeasibility study
Item 17 of 181973The PeelClovenfords SelkirkshireScotlandTheatre service centre
Item 18 of 181974Day Centre and Sheltered HousingHawick RoxburghshireScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Bailey, Rebecca M1996Scottish architects' papers: a source book Edinburgh: The Rutland Pressp105
Item 2 of 3RIBA1961Kalendar 1960-61   
Item 3 of 3RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   

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 2RIAS, Rutland SquareRecords of membership