Basic Biographical Details

Name: Donald Chapman
Designation:  
Born: 1937
Died: 2009
Bio Notes: Donald Chapman was born in 1937 in Edinburgh. He was educated at Leith Academy and studied architecture at Edinburgh College of Art. During his student years he was a keen mountaineer and skier and cycled all over Britain. He also hitch-hiked across Western Europe.

After graduation he worked as an assistant to David Mylne in Duns. During this period he met and married Janet Gallagher. The couple had three sons. In 1967 he moved to work for Reavell & Cahill, first in Berwick and then in Duns. He was elected ARIBA in that same year, 1967. He was known for impeccable and easily understood plans and elevations in which he often included a little cartoon to amuse his clients. He became a partner in due course, though the firm went out of business shortly afterwards. This was a financial blow to the family but he managed to set up in independent practice.

Chapman developed expertise in designing accessible buildings, particularly for disabled children. His knowledge had a personal resonance when his second son developed muscular dystrophy. He was responsible for a wide range of projects including restoration work, private and local authority houses and numerous housing alterations for private clients. When working on his own account he diversified with work on the Scottish House Condition Survey. In a voluntary capacity Chapman worked on Paxton Village Hall, the hall for disabled scouts at Bonaly and the millennium restoration of Paxton Village Cross.

In 1993 Chapman was struck down by illness which left him with only part of one lung. He died in 2009 survived by his wife and sons.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 351, Broomside Terrace, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1965 While a student
Item 2 of 3Duns, Berwickshire, ScotlandPrivate/businessLate 1960s2009 
Item 3 of 3East Wing, Paxton House, Paxton, Berwickshire, ScotlandPrivate1970 *After 1984 

* 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 3Reavell & Cahill  Partner 
Item 2 of 3John David Louis Mylnec. 19651967Assistant 
Item 3 of 3Reavell & Cahill1967 Assistant 

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 8 Hall for disabled scoutsBonaly EdinburghScotlandRestoration of old hall or new hall?
Item 2 of 8 Lanark LodgeDuns BerwickshireScotlandConversion to day centre for disabled people
Item 3 of 8 Oldhamstocks ChurchOldhamstocks East LothianScotlandRestoration
Item 4 of 8 Paxton Village HallPaxton BerwickshireScotlandRestoration
Item 5 of 8 Town wallsBerwick-upon-Tweed NorthumberlandEnglandRestoration - date not known
Item 6 of 8 West EndTweedmouth NorthumberlandEnglandRedevelopment
Item 7 of 81950sPaxton House  BerwickshireScotlandRestoration
Item 8 of 82000Village CrossPaxton BerwickshireScotlandRestoration

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   
Item 2 of 3RIBA1979Directory of members   
Item 3 of 3RIBA1984RIBA Directory of members   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1RIAS Chartered Architect   Combined Chartered Architect and Annual Review 2008-09