Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alexander Allan Foote
Designation:  
Born: 21 July 1886
Died: 6 March 1969
Bio Notes: Alexander Allan Foote (generally known as Alex) was born on 21 July 1886, the son of Alexander Allan Foote, insurance agent, and his wife Agnes Stoole. He was articled to Thomas Saunders Robertson of Dundee on 28 March 1902, studying at Dundee Technical College and School of Art. When Robertson retired in September 1904 he transferred to the office of John Bruce & Son to complete his apprenticeship, remaining as assistant until March 1907. He then moved to London to seek wider constructional experience, finding employment as chief draughtsman to Kleine Fire Resisting Syndicate Ltd and studying at Holloway Polytechnic. He was elected FSA Scot in 1909 and in March the following year left the Kleine Company to settle in Edinburgh and take up an appointment in H M Office of Works. Between then and 1913 he studied at Edinburgh School of Art, Heriot-Watt College and Leith Technical College.

He passed the final exam in 1915 and in December that year he was sent to the Ministry of Munitions as HMOW representative for war buildings works in the Glasgow area. On completion of these works in May 1917 he entered the armed forces. He was demobilised on the request of the Office of Works in January 1919 and returned to that office as Acting Assistant Architect. He was admitted ARIBA in the middle of that year, his proposers being James Cumming Wynnes, John Watson and William Thomas Oldrieve. Later that year he transferred to the Department of Health for Scotland, where he held a number of positions including Assistant Architect for Housing.

He left the Department of Health in 1922 and commenced independent practice from his home at 92 Warrender Park Crescent, Edinburgh. He worked with no staff, only apprentices, often until midnight. He was responsible for a large output of domestic work and private developments. He was admitted FRIBA on 21 June 1937, proposed by William James Walker Todd, John Wilson and George Donaldson Macniven, by which time he had moved his office to 108 George Street. He closed his office on 1 October 1940 and joined the staff of the Scottish Special Housing Association where he tried to adopt RIAS standard house types on the estates it planned and was responsible for the engineering of the roads.

He resumed practice at 9 York Place in April 1945 and on 1 March 1946 he took his son, George Edward Foote into partnership as Alex Allan Foote & Son. The practice moved to 3 Grosvenor Gardens in 1966. Alexander Allan Foote died on 6 March 1969 at Longmore Hospital, Edinburgh, survived by his wife Sarah Ellen Finlay Watson. George Edward Foote died in 1991, the practice having closed in 1982.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 1180, George Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate/business  This may be an error for 108 George Street - see below
Item 2 of 1150, Lauder Road, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate  Uncertain at what dates
Item 3 of 11London, EnglandPrivatec. 19081910 
Item 4 of 1192, Warrender Park Road/Crescent (?), Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate/business19181920 
Item 5 of 1129, Hanover Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness12 December 1922May 1924 
Item 6 of 11106, Hanover Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate/business28 May 1924c. 1935 
Item 7 of 1123, Hill Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1925Before 1936(?) 
Item 8 of 1119, South Lauder Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1936(?)  
Item 9 of 11108, George Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness1936(?)1940 
Item 10 of 119, York Place, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessApril 19451966 
Item 11 of 113, Grosvenor Gardens, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness1966After 1970 

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 10Thomas Saunders Robertson28 March 1902September 1904Apprentice 
Item 2 of 10John Bruce & SonSeptember 1904April 1906Apprentice 
Item 3 of 10John Bruce & SonApril 1906March 1907Assistant 
Item 4 of 10Kleine Fire Resisting Syndicate Ltd (or Kleine Company)March 1907March 1910Draughtsman 
Item 5 of 10H M Office of Works (later Ministry of Works, Department of the Environment and Property Services Agency)March 1910December 1915AssistantIn Edinburgh office
Item 6 of 10Ministry of MunitionsDecember 1915May 1917 Sent by HMOW as their representative for war buildings works in Glasgow area
Item 7 of 10H M Office of Works (later Ministry of Works, Department of the Environment and Property Services Agency)January 1919Late 1919Assistant ArchitectActing Assistant Architect
Item 8 of 10Department of Health for Scotland (Scottish Board of Health; later Scottish Development Department)Late 19191922AssistantAssistant Architect for Housing, and other positions
Item 9 of 10Scottish Special Housing Association (SSHA)1 October 19401946Architect 
Item 10 of 10Alexander Allan Foote & Son1 March 19461969Partner 

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 26Arthur Armstrong  Apprentice 
Item 2 of 26George Murray Wilsonc. 26 December 192231 January 1928Assistant 
Item 3 of 26Alexander Shepherd BrodieFebruary 1923July 1924AssistantEvening assistant
Item 4 of 26Thomas Bowhill GibsonMarch 1923April 1932AssistantTemporary assistant, whilst continuing his own practice
Item 5 of 26Henry W Liddle1 April 19236 April 1925Assistant 
Item 6 of 26Archibald James Baxter24 April 192330 June 1923Assistant 
Item 7 of 26J P Mowat21 May 192331 October 1923Assistant 
Item 8 of 26J W HayOctober 19238 July 1924Assistant 
Item 9 of 26William Henry Sayers1 November 192330 January 1926Assistant 
Item 10 of 26P M Brown8 March 192430 April 1924Assistant 
Item 11 of 26F W Pyott5 April 19244 April 1928Apprentice 
Item 12 of 26F A Kerr1 August 192430 July 1926Apprentice 
Item 13 of 26Donald W Friend19 July 19261930Apprentice 
Item 14 of 26William Alexander Ogg30 August 19261 October 1926Apprentice 
Item 15 of 26F W Pyott4 April 192830 November 1929Assistant 
Item 16 of 26E H Wilson2 December 19291933Apprentice 
Item 17 of 26Donald W Friend193031 January 1933Assistant 
Item 18 of 26David Martin Steven19301935Apprentice 
Item 19 of 26E H Innes20 May 193011 July 1936Apprentice 
Item 20 of 26David Sliven1 October 19306 July 1934Apprentice 
Item 21 of 26J P Ferguson29 March 193428 June 1934Draughtsman 
Item 22 of 26G C Morrison22 August 193429 March 1935Draughtsman 
Item 23 of 26Harold Gray Barclay22 August 193417 June 1939Apprentice 
Item 24 of 26Francis Gunisky (or Cumisky?)4 September 193510 August 1937Draughtsman 
Item 25 of 26Gordon McWattie2 August 1937 Assistant 
Item 26 of 26James Taylor13 September 1937 Apprentice(?) 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6George Donaldson Macniven21 June 1937for Fellowship
Item 2 of 6William Thomas Oldrieve (sometimes William Thomas Oldgrieve)Mid 1919for Associateship
Item 3 of 6William James Walker Todd21 June 1937for Fellowship
Item 4 of 6John WatsonMid 1919for Associateship
Item 5 of 6John Wilson21 June 1937for Fellowship
Item 6 of 6James Cumming WynnesMid 1919for Associateship

RIBA Proposals

This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 17Thomas Armstrong24 June 1947For Associateship
Item 2 of 17(Professor) Ralph Cowan16 July 1940for Associateship
Item 3 of 17Robert Somerville Ellis12 February 1946for Licentiateship
Item 4 of 17George Edward Foote15 October 1940For Associateship
Item 5 of 17Elspeth Grizel Gifford (Mrs Hugentobler; Mrs Baker Baker)27 June 1944for Associateship
Item 6 of 17Frederick Walter Goddard10 December 1946For Associateship
Item 7 of 17Marion Hope Inglis (née Lawrie)16 May 1944for Associateship
Item 8 of 17John Innes10 January 1938for Associateship
Item 9 of 17Harry ('Henry') Kerr Macdonald16 July 1940for Licentiateship
Item 10 of 17John George MacGruer6 February 1951For Licentiateship
Item 11 of 17Charles Ross Mackenzie15 October 1940for Associateship
Item 12 of 17John Eric Moore4 April 1938for Associateship
Item 13 of 17James Allan Hugh Mottram (or James A H Mottram)12 December 1939For Associateship
Item 14 of 17Harold John Muir6 March 1939for Associateship
Item 15 of 17Andrew Renton15 October 1940for Associateship
Item 16 of 17William Henry Sayers14 April 1942for Licentiateship
Item 17 of 17Henry Wylie (or Harry Wylie)9 January 1940For 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 1211922House, Barnton Grove  EdinburghScotland 
Item 2 of 1211922House, Barnton Grove  EdinburghScotland 
Item 3 of 1211922House, Barnton Grove  EdinburghScotland 
Item 4 of 1211922House, Buckstone Park, Comiston Road  EdinburghScotland 
Item 5 of 1211922House, Grant Avenue  EdinburghScotland 
Item 6 of 1211922House, Grant AvenueColinton EdinburghScotland 
Item 7 of 1211922Semi-detached houses, Cluny Gardens  EdinburghScotland 
Item 8 of 1211922Villa, Grant Avenue  EdinburghScotland 
Item 9 of 121After 1922Central Congress Hall  EdinburghScotland 
Item 10 of 121After 1922Grange Park Properties  EdinburghScotlandReconstruction, alterations and additions
Item 11 of 121After 1922Housing development and town planningIrvine (adjoining) AyrshireScotland 
Item 12 of 121After 1922Housing schemes and town planning for extension of burgh boundariesLerwickMainlandShetlandScotland 
Item 13 of 121After 1922Housing schemes for Zetland County Council  ShetlandScotland 
Item 14 of 121After 1922Stockbridge Corps HallStockbridge EdinburghScotland 
Item 15 of 1211923Belmont, Murrayfield feuing plan  EdinburghScotland 
Item 16 of 1211923House (Kilrymont)and garage, Comiston Road  EdinburghScotland 
Item 17 of 1211923House and garage, Comiston Road  EdinburghScotland 
Item 18 of 1211923House, 2 Barnton Loan  EdinburghScotland 
Item 19 of 1211923House, Barnshot Road  EdinburghScotland 
Item 20 of 1211923House, Barnton Loan (or Avenue)  EdinburghScotland 
Item 21 of 1211923House, Cluny Gardens  EdinburghScotland 
Item 22 of 1211923House, Queen's Crescent  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 23 of 1211923House, St Thomas Road  EdinburghScotland 
Item 24 of 1211923Shop, 33-34 Chambers Street  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 25 of 121June 1923House, Barnton Loan (or Barnton Avenue)  EdinburghScotland 
Item 26 of 121c. 1923Pair of houses, Alnwickhill Road  EdinburghScotland 
Item 27 of 1211924Bruntsfield Private Hotel  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 28 of 1211924Buildings at Bridge of AllanBridge of Allan StirlingshireScotlandAlterations
Item 29 of 1211924Farmhouse, Folda FarmGlenisla AngusScotlandAlterations
Item 30 of 1211924House and garage, 35 Barnton Avenue  EdinburghScotland 
Item 31 of 1211924House and garage, Woodhall Road  EdinburghScotland 
Item 32 of 1211924House, 25 Barnton Avenue  EdinburghScotland 
Item 33 of 1211924House, Barnshot Road  EdinburghScotland 
Item 34 of 1211924House, Barnshot RoadColinton EdinburghScotland 
Item 35 of 1211924House, Caroline Terrace  EdinburghScotland 
Item 36 of 1211924House, Caroline Terrace  EdinburghScotland 
Item 37 of 1211924Ken Toul  EdinburghScotland 
Item 38 of 1211924The BieldNorth Berwick East LothianScotlandUnspecified work. New build? Alterations?
Item 39 of 1211924Two semi-detached dwelling houses at Morningside Grove  EdinburghScotland 
Item 40 of 121October 1924Double villa, Grange Loan  EdinburghScotland 
Item 41 of 121c. 1924House and garage, Barnton Avenue  EdinburghScotland 
Item 42 of 121c. 1924House, Craiglockhart Drive  EdinburghScotland 
Item 43 of 121192513 Braid Crescent  EdinburghScotland 
Item 44 of 12119254,6 and 8 Nelson Street  EdinburghScotlandSubdivision of 1st floor flat
Item 45 of 1211925Blinwell, Alnwickhill Road  EdinburghScotland 
Item 46 of 1211925Flats and Shops, Gorgie Road at Westfield RoadGorgie EdinburghScotland 
Item 47 of 1211925House and shop, St John's Road  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 48 of 1211925Staindrop, Barnton Avenue  EdinburghScotland 
Item 49 of 1211925Villa, corner of Grant Avenue and Bonaly Road  EdinburghScotland 
Item 50 of 1211925Wolseley Corporation Motor Works (Sloan's)Falkirk StirlingshireScotland 
Item 51 of 121c. 192510 Glenisla Gardens  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 52 of 121c. 192525 Drumsheugh Gardens  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 53 of 121c. 1925Cinema, Livingstone Halls  EdinburghScotland 
Item 54 of 121c. 1925Cottage at Russell Road  EdinburghScotland 
Item 55 of 121c. 1925Cramond Parish Church HallCramond EdinburghScotlandExtension - 3 shemes drawn up
Item 56 of 121c. 1925Glenlee, Gorgie RoadGorgie EdinburghScotlandProposed additions and alterations
Item 57 of 121c. 1925House, Whitehouse RoadBarnton EdinburghScotland 
Item 58 of 121c. 1925Tea RoomWest Linton PeeblesshireScotland 
Item 59 of 121c. 1925Tennis Court Pavilion, Braid Estate  EdinburghScotland 
Item 60 of 121192619-20 Buckingham Terrace  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 61 of 121192632 Drumsheugh Gardens  EdinburghScotlandConversion into 3 flats
Item 62 of 1211926Broxburn Lodge (or Rowallan?)  EdinburghScotland 
Item 63 of 1211926EastmountBo'ness / Borrowstouness West LothianScotlandAlterations
Item 64 of 1211926Motor GarageGorgie EdinburghScotlandConversion of piggeries to garages
Item 65 of 1211926Property for the Independent Labour Party  EdinburghScotlandPlans drawn up for alterations
Item 66 of 121c. 1926House, 18 Hallhead Road  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 67 of 121192722 Cluny Drive  EdinburghScotland 
Item 68 of 121192724 Mayfield Terrace  EdinburghScotlandGarage built
Item 69 of 121192730 Drumsheugh Gardens  EdinburghScotland 
Item 70 of 121192731 Dick Place  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 71 of 1211927Blinwell, Alnwickhill Road  EdinburghScotlandGarage
Item 72 of 1211927Bungalow, Oxgangs Road  EdinburghScotland 
Item 73 of 1211927Glen Ord House and NurseryBerwick-upon-Tweed NorthumberlandEnglandAlterations?
Item 74 of 1211927Houses, Medwyn EstateWest Linton PeeblesshireScotland 
Item 75 of 1211927Properties at St Andrews Road and Monkton RoadCrail FifeScotlandAlterations
Item 76 of 1211927Shop, St Mary's Street  EdinburghScotlandMinor alterations
Item 77 of 1211927Two bungalows, Glasgow Road  EdinburghScotland 
Item 78 of 1211927Two houses, Ladywell RoadCorstorphine EdinburghScotland 
Item 79 of 1211927Villa, Greenhill Park  EdinburghScotlandAdditions to wing of house
Item 80 of 1211928Bell's Mill House, Bell's Mill  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 81 of 1211928House at CraiglockhartCraiglockhart EdinburghScotland 
Item 82 of 1211928House at WaterloovilleWaterlooville, Portsmouth HampshireEngland 
Item 83 of 121192942 Cluny Drive  EdinburghScotlandGarage built
Item 84 of 1211929Beechpark House, BroomieknoweLasswade MidlothianScotland 
Item 85 of 1211929CuancreagGullane East LothianScotland 
Item 86 of 1211929House at Ravelston Dykes  EdinburghScotland 
Item 87 of 1211929The RowansColinton EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 88 of 1211929Villa, 5 Greenhill Park  EdinburghScotlandMotor house added
Item 89 of 121March 1929House and garage at Oxgangs  EdinburghScotland 
Item 90 of 1211930169-177 Leith Walk  EdinburghScotlandAlterations and reconditioning
Item 91 of 121193038 Dick Place stables  EdinburghScotlandConversion to house
Item 92 of 12119305 Lansdowne Crescent  EdinburghScotlandProposed conversion into 2 houses
Item 93 of 121c. 193010 Buckingham Terrace  EdinburghScotlandAlterations and conversion into 2 houses
Item 94 of 121c. 193016 Merchiston Avenue  EdinburghScotland 
Item 95 of 121c. 193030 Drumsheugh Gardens  EdinburghScotlandAlterations and installation of lift
Item 96 of 121c. 1930Factory at PrestonPreston LancashireEngland 
Item 97 of 121c. 1930(?)House for W Miller ThomasRavelston EdinburghScotland 
Item 98 of 1211931Shop and houses, St John's RoadConley Grange EdinburghScotlandConversion into 2 houses and shop premises
Item 99 of 1211932110-112 Gorgie RoadGorgie EdinburghScotland 
Item 100 of 121193214 Gloucester Place  EdinburghScotland 
Item 101 of 12119328 Bruntsfield Place  EdinburghScotland 
Item 102 of 1211932Three bungalows, Niddrie RoadPortobello EdinburghScotland 
Item 103 of 121c. 1932Block of shops and houses, 279-293 St John's RoadCorstorphine EdinburghScotland 
Item 104 of 1211934Cinema and Congress Hall for the Salvation Army  EdinburghScotland 
Item 105 of 121193790A Princes Street  EdinburghScotlandAlterations (including coffee room) - in hand
Item 106 of 1211937Bruntsfield Private Hotel  EdinburghScotlandFormation of new gateway and garage at Leamington Terrace
Item 107 of 1211937County Hall and Offices for Zetland County CouncilLerwick?Mainland?ShetlandScotlandPlans in hand
Item 108 of 1211937Flats and shopsGorgie EdinburghScotland 
Item 109 of 1211937Villa, Grant Avenue  EdinburghScotlandAddition of garage
Item 110 of 121193823 Saxe Coburg Place  EdinburghScotlandPlans for conversion to 4 houses
Item 111 of 121c. 1938Design for a hospital     
Item 112 of 1211939SHA CampGorebridge MidlothianScotland 
Item 113 of 1211946Bonniefield (Bonniefield) LodgeBarnton EdinburghScotland 
Item 114 of 121195316 Forth Street  EdinburghScotland 
Item 115 of 1211954Whinhill School  EdinburghScotland 
Item 116 of 1211955Phoenix CinemaKirkwallMainlandOrkneyScotland 
Item 117 of 1211957Bell's Brae Primary SchoolLerwickMainlandShetlandScotland 
Item 118 of 1211958Dean Street UP Church  EdinburghScotlandConversion from Baptist to UP Church
Item 119 of 1211958Post Office and shop  EdinburghScotland 
Item 120 of 12119591-5 Kirk RoadDalserf LanarkshireScotlandRestoration, including slating of roofs
Item 121 of 1211964Langlee Community CentreGalashiels SelkirkshireScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Post Office Directories     

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 3H M Register HouseDeath Register  
Item 2 of 3Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Verbal information from Alex Allan Foote
Item 3 of 3RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A v24 no2788 (microfilm reel 23); F no3398 (box 22)