Basic Biographical Details Name: | William Finlayson McKenzie | Designation: | | Born: | 17 June 1937 | Died: | | Bio Notes: | William Finlayson McKenzie was born on 17 June 1937. He studied part-time at the School of Architecture, Dundee College of Art from September 1956 and at the same time gained office experience (probably with Gauldie Hardie & Wright, though this has yet to be checked). In June 1959 he was awarded the certificate which exempted him from the RIBA intermediate exam. In June 1961 he was awarded the diploma which in turn exempted him from Parts I and II of the final exam. He passed the professional practice exam in October 1962 and was elected ARIBA in 1963, proposed by Arthur Francie Stevenson Wright, William Sinclair Gauldie and William Allan Cairns. He was elected ARIAS the same year.
He remained with the same practice after qualification, becoming an associate in May 1965 with the practice which by this date was Gauldie Hardie Wright & Needham. He was given much reponsibility during his years as associate: his Nomination Paper list a number of projects for which he had complete responsibility (see below) and a variety of smaller projects to the value of £10,000. Prior to 1970 he also acted as consultant for a number of schemes as well as undertaking general research and development in stystem building and preparation of metric ranges of house types.
He was elected FRIBA in 1970, proposed by Gauldie, Wright and Cairns again. Gauldie wrote of McKenzie in his proposer's statement that his 'capacity for executive action and for assuming responsibility was evident even before his election as associate' and that in the last seven years a 'considerable volume of work [was] placed in his personal charge'.
He was invited to become a partner in 1975. The practice later became Gauldie Wright & Partners.
McKenzie was architect director of Alexus Leisure Ltd from 1994 to 1998. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Dundee | Business | | | | | Wellwood House, Ceres, Fife, Scotland | Private | c. 1960 | | | | Castle Hill House/1, High Street, Dundee, Scotland | Private | 1963 | | | | 2, Osborne Place, Magdalen Yard Road, Dundee, Scotland | Business | Before 1965 | After 1970 | Address of Gauldie Gardie Wright & Needham. | | 48, Fintry Place, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Scotland | Private | 1970 * | 1990s | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA ProposalsThis proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | William Allan Cairns | 17 July 1968 | For Fellowship |
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 | | 1968 | Kirkton Neighbourhood Centre and Library | Ardler | | Dundee | Scotland | 'Complete responsibility for all stages of work' on this project | | Late 1960s | House | Abernethy | | Perthshire | Scotland | 'Complete responsibility for all stages of work' on this project | | Late 1960s | House | | | Dundee | Scotland | 'Complete responsibility for all stages of work' on this project | | Late 1960s | House | Kirriemuir | | Angus | Scotland | 'Complete responsibility for all stages of work' on this project. | | Late 1960s | Housing, High Street | Alyth | | Perthshire | Scotland | 'Complete responsibility for all stages of work' on this project | | Late 1960s | Jute Mill | | | Dundee | Scotland | 'Complete responsibility for all stages of work' on this project. Alterations | | Late 1960s | Railway Properties Housing development | Alyth | | Perthshire | Scotland | 'Complete responsibility for all stages of work' on this project | | Late 1960s | Warehouse | Kirriemuir | | Angus | Scotland | 'Complete responsibility for all stages of work' on this project. | | Before 1970 | Housing | Livingston | | West Lothian | Scotland | Acted as Consultant. | | Before 1970 | Housing | | | Dundee | Scotland | Acted as consultant | | Before 1970 | Private housing | Craigie | | Dundee | Scotland | Acted as consultant | | 1975 | Police Station | Fintry | | Dundee | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Bailey, Rebecca M | 1996 | Scottish architects' papers: a source book | | Edinburgh: The Rutland Press | p111 | | RIBA | 1961 | Kalendar 1960-61 | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | RIAS, Rutland Square | Records of membership | | | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | William Finlayson McKenzie: A no23597, F no7159 (Combined Box 176) |
|