Basic Biographical Details Name: | Alexander Buchanan Gardner | Designation: | | Born: | 25 September 1889 | Died: | 24 March 1961 | Bio Notes: | Alexander Buchanan Gardner was born on 25 September 1889 in Lanarkshire, and was articled to W M Robertson of Glasgow from 1905 to 1910, studying at the Glasgow Technical College. He spent the next three years assisting first Albert V Gardner, then John Campbell McKellar of McKellar Davis & Gunn, before becoming Principal Assistant Architect for the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire County Council in 1914. He remained there until 1926 when he moved to Aberdeen to become Architect and Director of Housing for the Town Council, and by 1930 he had become a member of the Council of the Aberdeen Society of Architects. Later he held the post pf President of the Society and was appointed to the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee in 1944. In 1945 he became Chairman of the committee appointed to advise the Scottish Secretary on possible use of prefabrication in the production of permanent houses.
He was admitted LRIBA in early 1931, his proposers being William Liddle Duncan, Robert Gordon Wilson Junior and Clement George. By that time he had carried out housing schemes to a total value of £1,000,000. He was still City Architect of Aberdeen when he was elected FRIBA on 7 January 1941, proposed by the RIBA Council. He retired from the post of Director of Housing on 20 September 1954.
He died on 23 March 1961 and was survived by his widow Mabel Leila Wood and and his son. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | ![Item 1 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | 14, Hamilton Place, Aberdeen, Scotland | Private | 1930 * | | | ![Item 2 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | Town House, Aberdeen, Scotland | Business | 1930 * | | | ![Item 3 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | Municipal Offices/11, Broad Street, Aberdeen, Scotland | Business | Before 1939 * | | | ![Item 4 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | 22, Polmuir Road, Aberdeen, Scotland | Private | 1941 * | | | ![Item 5 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | Municipal Offices, Bridge Street, The Castlegate, Aberdeen, Scotland | Business | 1950 | After 1954 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | ![Item 1 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | Frederick Wright | 17 February 1926 | c. 1931 | Apprentice | in Aberdeen City Architect's Department | ![Item 2 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | Leo Durnin | c. 1932 | 1936 | Assistant | In Aberdeen City Architect's Office | ![Item 3 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | John Charles Richardson | 1936 or 1937 | After 1937 | Assistant | In Aberdeen City Architect's Department | ![Item 4 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | Duncan James Johnston Wright | 1938 | 1939 | | in Aberdeen City Architect's Office (role unclear) | ![Item 5 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | Leo Durnin | 1938 | After 1954 | Assistant | In Aberdeen City Architect's Office | ![Item 6 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | Frederick Wright | Before 1944 | After 1953 | | in Aberdeen City Architect's Department |
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA Proposals
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 | ![Item 1 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | After 1924 | Aberdeen Municipal Buildings and Tolbooth | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Extensions - as City Architect | ![Item 2 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | After 1924 | Anderson Library | Woodside | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Extensions - as City Architect | ![Item 3 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | After 1924 | Fish Market | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As City Architect | ![Item 4 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | After 1924 | Housing schemes | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As City Architect | ![Item 5 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | After 1924 | Police Buildings | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Extensions - as City Architect | ![Item 6 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | After 1924 | Public Baths | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As City Architect | ![Item 7 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1930s(?) | Stewart House | Cults | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Alterations? - as City Architect | ![Item 8 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1931 | City Hospital | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Extensions, including nurses' home - as City Architect | ![Item 9 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1932 | Bon Accord Baths | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As City Architect - but actually designed by McRobbie | ![Item 10 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | After 1934 | Northfield Lodge | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 11 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1935 | Commercial Buildings | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 12 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1936 | Woodend Hospital, Nurses' Home | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New nurses' home - as City Architect | ![Item 13 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1938 | Kingseat Asylum, nurses home | Kinsgeat | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Addition - as City Architect | ![Item 14 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1941 | Aberdeen Maternity Hospital | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Ante-natal hospital added - as City Architect | ![Item 15 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1941 | Woodend Hospital | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Twin theatres, radiology department and cubicle isolation block - as City Architect | ![Item 16 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1944 | Commercial and domestic buildings | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Houses upgraded | ![Item 17 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1945 | Tenements, Rosemount Square | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As City Architect but with Durnin as designer | ![Item 18 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1948 | King Street Public School | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Additions | ![Item 19 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1950 | High School for Girls | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 20 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1950 | Multi-storey Block of Shops and Nursery, Beston Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 21 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1950 | Nursery School, The Northfield | | | | | | ![Item 22 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1950 | Pelfordals House | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | For extensions to form nurses' home | ![Item 23 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1950 | Primary School, Kainhill | Kainhill | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 24 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1950 | Public School, Middlefield | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 25 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1951 | Block of Flats, Mair Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 26 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1951 | Hanover Street Primary School | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 27 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1951 | Infants' School, Carnegie Park | Carnegie Park | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 28 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1951 | Inverdee Infants' School | Inverdee | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | To prepare plans for extensions | ![Item 29 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1951 | Nursery Infants' School, Cornhill | Cornhill | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 30 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1951 | Provost Skene's House | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As City Architect - restoration | ![Item 31 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1951 | Scheme of 100 Houses, Northfield | Northfield | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As Municipal Housing Officer | ![Item 32 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1952 | Housing, Ashgrove Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As City Architect | ![Item 33 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1952 | Housing, Ashgrove Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 34 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1952 | Housing, Back Hilton Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 35 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1952 | Housing, Rosehall Drive and Cairnie Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New housing
| ![Item 36 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1952 | Housing, West Burn Drive | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 37 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1952 | Junior Secondary School, Northfield | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 38 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1952 | Public school, Auchnagatt | Auchnagatt | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Prepared plans for new school | ![Item 39 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1952 | Rosemount Junior Secondary School | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Reconstruction | ![Item 40 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1952 | Shops, Abbotswell Crescent | Kincorth | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New shops | ![Item 41 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1952 | Shops, Lambhill Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New shops | ![Item 42 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1952 | Shops, Northfield | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New shops | ![Item 43 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1953 | Aberdeen Crematorium | Kaimhill | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Extension | ![Item 44 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1953 | Flats, Ashgrove | Ashgrove | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As City Architect | ![Item 45 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1953 | Library and Community Centre, Northfield Housing Site | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New library and community centre | ![Item 46 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1953 | New public school, Marlrick | Marlrick | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New public school | ![Item 47 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1953 | Police Houses, Kingorth Estate | Kingorth | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Plans in hand for 24 new police houses | ![Item 48 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 27 February 1953 | Junior Secondary School, Cummings Park | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New school | ![Item 49 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 27 March 1953 | Houses and shops, Spring Gardens Site | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New houses and shops | ![Item 50 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 3 July 1953 | Pubic School, Bucksburn | Bucksburn | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New school | ![Item 51 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 10 July 1953 | Public School, Aberdeen | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New school | ![Item 52 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 24 July 1953 | Housing, Mastrick | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Plans prepared for 294 new houses | ![Item 53 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 9 October 1953 | Militia Barracks and depot | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations and additions for new transport dept | ![Item 54 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 16 October 1953 | Old Folks' Home, Polmuir Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | £29,000 extension | ![Item 55 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 6 November 1953 | Newmills Home, Aberdeen | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Reconstruction | ![Item 56 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 13 November 1953 | Corporation Housing, Aberdeen | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Plans in hand for scheme of 70 houses | ![Item 57 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 20 November 1953 | Housing, Mastrick | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | To prepare plans for 222 houses | ![Item 58 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1954 | Aberdeen Grammar School | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 59 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1954 | Community Centre and Library | Northfields | | Aberdeen | Scotland | To prepare plans for new community centre and library | ![Item 60 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1954 | Community Centre, Mastrick Site | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 61 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1954 | Housing, Spittal | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 62 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1954 | Infant and Nursery School, and Primary School, Mastrick Housing Site | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New schools | ![Item 63 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 8 January 1954 | Maternity and Child Welfare Clinic, Northfield | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Plans prepared and approved for new maternity and child welfare clinic | ![Item 64 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 19 March 1954 | Woodside Primary School, Aberdeen | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | To prepare plans for reconstruction, with additions | ![Item 65 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1954 | The Beach Ballroom | Sea Beach | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations? | ![Item 66 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1954 | Tullos Industrial Estate | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As City Architect | ![Item 67 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1955 | Dressing Rooms, Hazelhead Park | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 68 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1955 | Dressing Rooms, Inverdee Park | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 69 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1955 | Housing, Summerfield | Dalmarnock | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 70 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1955 | Housing, Summerhill Site | Dumfries | | Dumfriesshire | Scotland | | ![Item 71 of 71](images/table_item.gif) | 1955 | Pavilion Clubhouse, Galnagest Golf Course | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | Aberdeen Town Council | | Town Council Minutes | | This is a published version of the Minutes (no bibliographical details known as yet) | Volume for 1924 (4 August), p313 | ![Item 2 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | RIBA | 1939 | The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Aberdeen Evening Express | 24 March 1961 | | | Obituary | ![Item 2 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Aberdeen Press and Journal | 24 March 1961 | | | Obituary | ![Item 3 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 24 November 1950 | | | p550 | ![Item 4 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 1 December 1950 | | | p582 | ![Item 5 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 15 December 1950 | | | p649 | ![Item 6 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 8 December 1950 | | | p617 | ![Item 7 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 1 September 1950 | | | p296 | ![Item 8 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 26 January 1951 | | | p155 | ![Item 9 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 9 November 1951 | | | p646 | ![Item 10 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 2 March 1951 | | | p332 | ![Item 11 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 9 March 1951 | | | p367 | ![Item 12 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 13 April 1951 | | | p534 | ![Item 13 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 20 April 1951 | | | p569 | ![Item 14 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 4 April 1952 | | | p536 | ![Item 15 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 11 April 1952 | | | p572 | ![Item 16 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 30 May 1952 | | | p828 | ![Item 17 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 18 July 1952 | | | p112 | ![Item 18 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 15 August 1952 | | | p248 | ![Item 19 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 27 February 1953 | | | p360 | ![Item 20 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 20 March 1953 | | | p472 | ![Item 21 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 27 March 1953 | | | p509 | ![Item 22 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 22 May 1953 | | | p812 | ![Item 23 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 29 May 1953 | | | p849 | ![Item 24 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 3 July 1953 | | | p40 | ![Item 25 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 10 July 1953 | | | p80 | ![Item 26 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 24 July 1953 | | | p156 | ![Item 27 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 9 October 1953 | | | p560 | ![Item 28 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 16 October 1953 | | | p600 | ![Item 29 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 6 November 1953 | | | p720 | ![Item 30 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 13 November 1953 | | | p764 | ![Item 31 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 27 November 1953 | | | p862 | ![Item 32 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 8 January 1954 | | | p77 | ![Item 33 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 15 January 1954 | | | p161 | ![Item 34 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 19 March 1954 | | | p528 | ![Item 35 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 2 April 1954 | | | p616 | ![Item 36 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 9 April 1954 | | | p655 | ![Item 37 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 7 May 1954 | | | p830 | ![Item 38 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 23 July 1954 | | | p157 | ![Item 39 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 6 August 1954 | | | p239 | ![Item 40 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 13 August 1954 | | | p279 | ![Item 41 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 14 January 1955 | | | p116 | ![Item 42 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 4 February 1955 | | | p236 | ![Item 43 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 18 March 1955 | | | p492 | ![Item 44 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 1 April 1955 | | | p572 | ![Item 45 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 8 April 1955 | | | p612 | ![Item 46 of 46](images/table_item.gif) | Industrialised Building Systems and Components | April 1967 | | | p9-11 Summerfield, Dalmarnock |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | ![Item 1 of 1](images/table_item.gif) | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L no3704 (box 15); F no3822 (box 29) |
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