Basic Biographical Details

Name: George Gordon Macfarlane
Designation:  
Born: 22 March 1885
Died: January 1949
Bio Notes: George Gordon Macfarlane was born on 22 March 1885. He trained initially in engineering, graduating in the subject at Glasgow University in 1905, whereupon he became a pupil to Sir John James Burnet and began studying at the Glasgow School of Architecture. In 1910 he spent six months travelling in Italy before settling in London, where he joined W J Parker as an assistant. He then worked as architect to the Wellcome archaeological expeditions in the Sudan before undertaking four years' war service.

On his return in 1919 he commenced practice on his own account at 5 St John Street and 73 Gower Street, London. He was appointed chief architect to brewers Watney Combe Reid & Co in July 1925, designing and rebuilding numerous licensed premises. His practice also included domestic and institutional work. However he resigned this post owing to ill-health in 1929. He resumed private practice after a short time and in the course of this carried out several buildings for Watneys.

He was admitted FRIBA in early 1930, his proposers being Charles Henry Holden, Thomas Smith Tait and Charles Cowles Voysey. By that time his office had moved to 7 Carteret Street.

He died in Capri in January 1949 after a brief illness.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 541, Acacia Road, London, EnglandPrivate   
Item 2 of 5SudanBusinessc. 1914c. 1914Working for a Mr Wellcomb
Item 3 of 55, St John Street, London, EnglandBusiness1919  
Item 4 of 573, Gower Street, London, EnglandBusiness1919  
Item 5 of 57, Carteret Street, London, EnglandBusiness1929 *  

* 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 2John Burnet & Son19051910Apprentice 
Item 2 of 2W J Parker1910Before 1914Assistant 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3Charles Henry HoldenEarly 1930for Fellowship
Item 2 of 3Thomas Smith TaitEarly 1930for Fellowship
Item 3 of 3Charles Cowles VoyseyEarly 1930for Fellowship

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 11929The Shakespeare  LondonEngland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1British Architectural Library, RIBA2001Directory of British Architects 1834-1914   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Builder14 January 1949v176 p78 - obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers F no2739 (box 11)