Basic Biographical Details

Name: T Bowhill Gibson & Laing
Designation:  
Born: Mid 1930s
Died: After 1949
Bio Notes: Thomas Bowhill Gibson was born on 1 March 1895 and was articled to James Inch Morrison in 1913, attending morning and evening classes at the Edinburgh College of Art and Heriot-Watt College. He commenced war service in 1916 and on his demobilisation in 1919 found employment as an assistant to James Davidson Cairns, with whom he remained until January 1922 when he set up practice on his own account. In the following year he took temporary work in Alex Allan Foote's office, assisting 'on plans for W S Farmer's project, which came to nothing'. He applied for Licentiateship of the RIBA in January 1931 but for as yet unknown reasons was not admitted until 6 February 1939, his proposers being James Inch Morrison, Robert Stirling Reid and the then secretary of the Edinburgh Architectural Association, of which he was then Vice-President. His travels prior to that time appear to have been limited to Britain and had included study visits to Bolton Abbey, Coldingham Priory, Dunbar, Skipton, Newcastle and London.

By the time of his admittance as ARIBA Gibson, who specialised in cinema and theatre design but also carried out some domestic work, had entered into partnership with James William Laing as T Bowhill Gibson & Laing. Laing had been born on 26 April 1908 and articled to Gibson in January 1924, attending classes at Edinburgh College of Art and Heriot-Watt College under John Begg. On completion of his apprenticeship in January 1929 he had remained with Gibson as assistant. He had been admitted ARIBA on 4 December 1933, his proposers being Begg, John Jerdan and Thomas Forbes Maclennan. He was also an Associate of the Edinburgh Architectural Association.

Laing continued the practice under the existing name at their offices at 36 Palmerston Place after Gibson's death on 27 September 1949 at his home Strath House, Avonbridge. Gibson was cremated at Warriston and survived by his widow Marjorie Ross.

Laing died suddenly on 20 January 1978, his death being reported to the RIBA by his widow Martha M Laing. They had been living at 10 Templeland Road, Edinburgh.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 219, Manor Place, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessMid 1930s1948Builder 24 September 1948 p372
Item 2 of 236, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness1949 * Builder 24 December 1948 p753

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

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 3Thomas Bowhill GibsonMid 1930s1949Partner 
Item 2 of 3James William LaingMid 1930sAfter 1949Partner 
Item 3 of 3James Robertson Marshall19561959Senior Architect 

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 121939CinemaBaillieston GlasgowScotland 
Item 2 of 121948Church Halls East Camus Place   EdinburghScotland 
Item 3 of 121948Theatre Royal  EdinburghScotlandRebuilding after fire
Item 4 of 121949Dumbrydon Works, Longstone Road  EdinburghScotlandPlans for erection of canteen and offices
Item 5 of 121950Arena, Livingstone Road  EdinburghScotlandAs Gibson & Laing
Item 6 of 121952Church hall, Saughton Mains GardensSaughton Mains  EdinburghScotlandNew church hall
Item 7 of 121952Trinity Parish Church, DuntocherDuntocher DunbartonshireScotlandRebuilt church. Acted as builder on this occasion?
Item 8 of 12c. 1955126 Princes Street  EdinburghScotlandShopfront and internal alterations
Item 9 of 1222 February 1957Community Centre at BedlarAnnethill LanarkshireScotland'Bowhill Gibson & Laing, 6 Manor Pl, Edinburgh' per Builder p391 - CHECK as active dates for firm don't match
Item 10 of 121961Flats for Tourist UseRatho MidlothianScotland 
Item 11 of 121961Longstone Bus Garage  Edinburgh, MidlothianScotland 
Item 12 of 124 August 1961Marine Gardens Bus DepotPortobello Edinburgh, MidlothianScotlandarchitect for depot per Builder p230

References

Bibliographic References

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

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4Builder4 November 1949  p595
Item 2 of 4Builder31 March 1950  p438
Item 3 of 4Builder23 May 1952  p792
Item 4 of 4Builder6 June 1952  p865