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 Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 565, Kingsknowe Road, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)   
Item 2 of 514, Belgrave Place, Edinburgh, Scotland 1948 Builder 23 January 1948 p125
Item 3 of 575, Main Street, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, ScotlandBusiness1964 *  
Item 4 of 515, Dunbeth Avenue, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, ScotlandPrivate(?)1970After 1990 
Item 5 of 5The Poultry, Bothwell Castle, Bothwell, Lanarkshire, ScotlandBusiness1979 *  

* 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 5Gavin Paterson & SonSeptember 1938January 1939Assistant 
Item 2 of 5London Midland and Scottish Railway CompanyJanuary 1939April 1939Assistant 
Item 3 of 5McNair & ElderApril 1939September 1939Assistant 
Item 4 of 5James G Aitchison & SonBefore 1940After 198PartnerContinued his father's practice on a small scale in early years; the practice expanded again in the 1980s
Item 5 of 5Thomas Smith, Gibb & Pate1970 * Architect 

* 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 Coia10 December 1946For Associateship
Item 2 of 3William McCrea10 December 1946For Associateship
Item 3 of 3(Professor) William James Smith1 December 1946For Associateship

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 11948Premises, Kirklet Terrace  GlasgowScotlandAlterations and Additions

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 2 of 4RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   
Item 3 of 4RIBA1979Directory of members   
Item 4 of 4RIBA1990RIBA Directory of Members   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2Courtesy of Robert G AitchisonInformation to Dictionary In telephone conversation August 2010 (Jas G Aitchison & Son)
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no8769 (Combined Box 216)