Basic Biographical Details Name: | Robert Aitchison | Designation: | | Born: | 29 December 1914 | Died: | February 2010 | Bio Notes: | Robert Aitchison was born on 29 December 1914, the son of James Gray Aitchison, architect, Glasgow. From September 1933 he took the diploma course at the School of Architecture, Glasgow School of Art, with day classes for four years and evening classes for two years. During the summer months and for a short time before commencing the course at Glasgow School of Art he worked in his father's practice. He also gained experience in a variety of other offices while he was studying. From September 1938 until January the following year he was with Gavin Paterson & Son; from January to April 1939 he was with the LMS Railway Company's Engineers' Department; and from April to September 1939 he worked with C J McNair & Elder.
In May 1939 he completed the diploma course but the war intervened. Nevertheless, he must have taken on some responsibility for the family practice after his father's death in 1934, as it was known as James G Aitchison & Son by 1940. He finally took the Professional Practice exams in July 1946. He was admitted ARIBA in December of that year, his proposers being William McCrea, Jack Coia and William James Smith.
His address is given as being in Edinburgh by 1950. The practice continued though in a reduced form.
From 1951 until 1969 Aitchison worked for Thomas Smith, Gibb & Pate. After the death of Thomas Gibb in the latter year, Aitchison worked for Hamilton Burgh, filling the role of Deputy Architect, if not actually named as such and remaining in this post for 11 years. He kept the family practice going in a small way throughout. He was based in Alexandria in the early 1960s but was living in Coatbridge by 1970 and moved to Bothwell by 1979. He retired in Spring 1980. The family practice appears to have expended at some point in the 1980s when Robert's son James Gray Aitchison took over, his father remaining as consultant.
Robert Aitchison died in February 2010. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 65, Kingsknowe Road, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business(?) | | | | | 14, Belgrave Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | | 1948 | | Builder 23 January 1948 p125 | | 75, Main Street, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, Scotland | Business | 1964 * | | | | 15, Dunbeth Avenue, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Private(?) | 1970 | After 1990 | | | The Poultry, Bothwell Castle, Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Business | 1979 * | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers* earliest date known from documented sources.
RIBARIBA Proposers
Buildings and DesignsThis 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 | | 1948 | Premises, Kirklet Terrace | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations and Additions |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | RIBA | 1950 | The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | | | RIBA | 1970 | RIBA Directory 1970 | | | | | RIBA | 1979 | Directory of members | | | | | RIBA | 1990 | RIBA Directory of Members | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Courtesy of Robert G Aitchison | Information to Dictionary | | In telephone conversation August 2010 (Jas G Aitchison & Son)
| | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | A no8769 (Combined Box 216) |
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