Basic Biographical Details

Name: John L Paterson
Designation: Architect
Born:  
Died:  
Bio Notes: Shortly after qualifying at Edinburgh College of Art, John Paterson was taken on by Robert Matthew Johnson-Marshall (RMJM) in October 1957, initially as a member of Matthew’s supporting team for his entry in the Hauptstadt Berlin competition of April 1957 – February 1958.

Immediately after Hauptstadt Berlin, Paterson was responsible for much of the detailed design for RMJM’s Gorbals redevelopment Hutchesontown B scheme in Glasgow. A notable contribution of Paterson’s in this instance was the addition of floodlights mounted on top of the tower blocks in place of ordinary lamp standards (an idea inspired by Hieronymus Bosch and William Blake). Despite causing some initial scepticism among Glasgow planners, this lighting scheme was instituted, and due to its effectiveness, was used in all subsequent tower blocks in the city of Glasgow.

Paterson was also responsible for the design of the first post-war nursery school in Scotland from 1961. Also in the Gorbals, the school served separate Protestant and Catholic groups with two blocks accessed by a common axis and sharing an enclosed courtyard.

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this architect (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 2Robert Matthew Johnson-Marshall (RMJM)October 19571961Architect 
Item 2 of 2Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall & Partners (RMJM)1961After 1964Architect 

Buildings and Designs

This architect 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 5(?)Landmark Visitor CentreCarrbridge   Project architect
Item 2 of 5April 1957Hauptstadt Berlin competition (Robert Matthew's entry)  BerlinGermanyIncluded in Robert Matthew's supporting team
Item 3 of 51958Hutchesontown / Gorbals Area B multi-storey flats and housing  GlasgowScotlandJob architect on Hutchesontown B scheme
Item 4 of 51961Nursery School for separate Protestant and Catholic GroupsGorbals GlasgowScotlandResponsible for design
Item 5 of 51983City Observatory, Calton Hill  EdinburghScotlandCommissioned by the Edinburgh Architect's Association for the proposed Camera Lucida project to the City Dome in 1984 for the RIBA's 150th anniversary celebrations.

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this architect:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 5Glendinning, Miles1997Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75  Tuckwell Press Ltdp26 Hutchesontown B
Item 2 of 5Glendinning, Miles2008Modern architect: the life and times of Robert Matthew RIBA Publishingp191, 239, 245, 250, 251, 470
Item 3 of 5Glendinning, Miles and Muthesius, Stefan1994Tower Block: Modern Public Housing in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Yale University Press: New Haven and Londonp169, p228, p368 Hutchesontown Area B
Item 4 of 5http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/241703/prints/carrbridge+landmark+highland+ http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/241703/prints/carrbridge+landmark+highland+heritage+park+visitor+centre/   
Item 5 of 5Willis, Peter1977New architecture in Scotland  p15, p74-5 Landmark Visitor Centre, Carrbridge