Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alexander Adair Gowans
Designation:  
Born: 18 June 1912
Died: 22 May 1976
Bio Notes: Alexander Adair Gowans was born on 18 June 1912, the son of Alexander Adair Gowans, french polisher and his wife, Lillian Fairley. He served a five-year apprenticeship with Laird & Napier from October 1928 and studied at the Glasgow School of Art. He subsequently worked as assistant to Eric A Sutherland and then as senior assistant in Kirkcudbright County Council. He was admitted ARIBA on 14 November 1944, his proposers being James Taylor, Jack Antonio Coia and Joseph Weekes. His nomination papers indicate that he was working for D A Donald of 233 West Regent Street, Glasgow at that time, and give his home address as 2 Gowanlea Avenue, Drumchapel. He was elected ARIAS in 1954.

He retired on health grounds in 1971 and died at Woodliee Hospital, Lenzie on 22 May 1976. He was survived by his wife Rachael Robertson MacLachlan.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 12, Gowanlea Avenue, Drumchapel, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate(?)1950After 1970 

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 4Laird & NapierOctober 19281933Apprentice 
Item 2 of 4Eric Alexander SutherlandAfter 1933Before 1940Assistant 
Item 3 of 4Kirkcudbright County Architect's DepartmentAfter 1933Before 1944Senior Assistant 
Item 4 of 4D A Donald1944 *  role unclear

* earliest date known from documented sources.

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3Jack Antonio Coia14 November 1944for Associateship
Item 2 of 3James Taylor14 November 1944for Associateship
Item 3 of 3Joseph Weekes14 November 1944for Associateship

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 2 of 2RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2RIAS, Rutland SquareRecords of membership  
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no8385 (combined box 209)