Basic Biographical Details Name: | Douglas Gordon McKellar Adam | Designation: | | Born: | 30 June 1924 | Died: | 11 November 1971 | Bio Notes: | Douglas Gordon McKellar Adam was born on 13 June 1924, the son of Alfred McKellar Adam, secretarial clerk, and his wife Margaret Orr Webster. He studied architecture at Glasgow School of Art from 1941-43 but his studies were interrpted by the Second World War during which he served with the Royal Navy. He returned to the School of Art in 1946 and completed the course in 1950. During his student years he worked as an assistant with Wylie Shanks & Wylie. He was awarded the diploma in June 1950 and was elected ARIBA on 12 December, his proposers being Edward Greig Wylie, George Ferguson Smellie Shanks and Frederick Robert Wylie.
After qualification he remained with Wylie Shanks & Wylie for a further year but transferred to Thomas S Cordiner's firm in 1951. In 1952 he moved again, this time to a post as senior assistant architect with the Education Section in Glasgow Corporation Architect's Department. The years 1955 to 1960 where spent in a similar position with the County Architect's Department, Fife County Council. From 1960-61 he was principal assistant architect with Western Regional Hospital Board and from 1962 until 1970 he worked as Assistant Regional Architect with the Board. The office of the Board was based at 351 Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow. His home address was in Dunblane.
In 1970 he was elected FRIBA, proposed by Thomas David Williams Astorga, Richard Rudolph Chitham De'Ath and Thomas Russell Scott. As Assistant Regional Architect he was directly responsible to the Regional Architect for all development planning on hospital projects. He was also responsible for feasibility study aspects in the office and the day to day cover of hospitals in the region. He also co-ordinated the design team with the architects on the staff and in those in private practice from the beginning of a project until the end. In his statement supporting Adam's application to become a Fellow of the RIBA, Thomas Astorga wrote that Adam was currently involved with the planning of Glasgow Royal Infirmary and had been liaising with Spence Glover & Fergsuon in the development and sketch plan stages. The project was due to go on site in 1973.
Adam died from injuries sustained in a road traffic accident on 11 November 1971. He was survived by his wife Eunice McKechnie and his son Craig. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 13, Garrioch Quadrant, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1924 | | Place of birth | | 42, Polwarth Gardens, Hyndland, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1952 | 1955 | | | Deckar, Ashlar Park, Cupar, Fife, Scotland | Private | 1957 * | 1961 | | | Deckar, Ochlochy Park, Dunblane, Perthshire, Scotland | Private | 1961 | After 1970 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers
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 | | 1956 | Waid Academy | Anstruther Easter | | Fife | Scotland | Additions to E - as project architect with Fife County Education Architects Department |
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 | 1961 | Kalendar 1960-61 | | | | | RIBA | 1970 | RIBA Directory 1970 | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Courtesy of Craig Adam | Information sent via 'Contact Us' page on Dictionary | | Sent August 2011 | | H M Register House | Death Register | | | | National Archives (via Scotlands People) | Statutory births | | | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | Adam: A no 12129, F no7125 (Combined Box 175) |
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