Basic Biographical Details

Name: Michael Beale
Designation:  
Born: 19 February 1913
Died: 29 December 2005
Bio Notes: Michael Beale was born Mikolaj Bieloszejew in Poland on 19 February 1913, the son of Aleksander Bieloszejew, railway signalman and his wife Julia Slantycz. His father made many sacrifices to enable Michael to attend technical college at Brzesc-on-Bug, where he obtained a diploma in civil engineering in 1933.

He was an officer in the Polish Army and escaped to Great Britain through Rumania when the Russian Army advanced in the east and the Polish Army was occupied fighting the German invasion from the west. He met his future wife Nola (Anna Dunolly Mary Cottier) in Rothesay where she was stationed as a Wren. She taught him to speak English.

Bieloszejew had trained as an architect and engineer in Poland and having changed his name to Beale he studied for and sat the external RIBA examination to enable him to register as an architect in the UK. He was elected ARIAS in 1953. During this period he wroked as an assistant in the practice of Cowie & Miller. He moved to become a senior assistant with Wylie Shanks & Wylie and accepted Walter Underwood's invitation to become a partner with Walter Underwood & Partners in 1960.

Michael Beale had a reputation for fastidious attention to detail while designing industrial work, which might have owed something to his earlier training in Poland. He specialised in foundations for heavy plant, especially heavy presses required in motor vehicle manufacturing.

During his partnership with Walter Underwood he designed prestigious projects such as the Rootes and Pressed Steel factories at Linwood (later taken over by Chrysler) and the British Motor Corporation's Bathgate factory. He altered and redesigned the Western Club in Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow and designed chain store outlets in many towns and cities. He enjoyed a reputation for skill, honesty, reliability and steadfastness in his profession.

Outwith his professional lidfe he had many interests including stamp-collecting, fly-tying, and salmon and trout fishing. He was a member of the Phoenix Angling Club and was given honorary membership. From 1970 until his death he was a member of Glasgow Art Club and won its angling championship at the age of 90.

.He retired around 1984. He died on 29 December 2005 at Drumchapel JHospital, Glasgow. His wife had predeceased him.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 216, Southpark Avenue, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1953 *c. 1960 
Item 2 of 29, Leven Drive , Bearsden, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivateBefore 19652005 

* 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 3Cowie & Miller (or Millar)Late 1940s Assistant 
Item 2 of 3Wylie, Shanks & Wyliec. 1957 Senior Assistant 
Item 3 of 3Walter Underwood & Partners1960After 1975Partner 

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 21Late 1950sFoundry for Fry's Metal FoundriesDalmarnock GlasgowScotlandAs architect in charge
Item 2 of 211964Office Block, George Square Area  GlasgowScotlandActing as consultant architects for proposals
Item 3 of 211964The Thistle CentreStirling  ScotlandResponsible for early project management - as partner with walter Underwood & Partners
Item 4 of 211966Works for Diamond Power Specialities Ltd., Glasgow RoadDumbarton DunbartonshireScotlandAlterations and additions - as partner in charge
Item 5 of 211968Western Club  GlasgowScotlandAlterations and refurbishment as partner with Walter Underwood & Partners
Item 6 of 21Early 1960sBritish Motor Corporation Car FactoryBathgate West LothianScotlandProject architect
Item 7 of 21Early 1960sCar Plant at Linwood for The Rootes Motor Group LtdLinwood, near Paisley RenfrewshireScotlandAs project architect with Walter Underwood & Partners. It is unclear what role Beale and the practice played - did they take the job over from Weedon?
Item 8 of 21Early 1960sChrysler car factoryLinwood RenfrewshireScotlandExtensions- as project architect with Walter Underwood & Partners
Item 9 of 21Early 1960sDie-casting works (or pressed steel factory) for The Rootes Motor Group LtdLinwood RenfrewshireScotlandAs project architect with Walter Underwood & Partners
Item 10 of 21Early 1960sSafeway StoreBearsden GlasgowScotlandProject architect
Item 11 of 21Mid 1960sCooper & Co Warehouse, Howard Street and Jamaica Street  GlasgowScotlandRebuilding- as project architect with Walter Underwood & Partners
Item 12 of 211980s(?)Bearsden Town HallBearsden GlasgowScotlandAlterations and refurbishment
Item 13 of 211981Dale House, West George Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 14 of 21Before 1981Fine Fare SupermarketStirling StilringshireScotlandPartner in charge
Item 15 of 21Before 1981Fine Fare SupermarketAviemore Inverness-shireScotlandPartner in charge
Item 16 of 21Before 1981Fine Fare SupermarketPrestwick AyrshireScotlandAs partner in charge
Item 17 of 21Before 1981Fine Fare SupermarketStranraer WigtownshireScotlandAs partner in charge
Item 18 of 21Before 1981Fine Fare SupermarketDennistoun GlasgowScotlandPartner in charge
Item 19 of 21Before 1981Fine Fare SupermarketBarrhead RenfrewshireScotlandPartner in charge
Item 20 of 21Before 1981Fine Fare SupermarketMotherwell LanarkshireScotlandAs partner in charge
Item 21 of 21Before 1981Fine Fare Supermarket, Byres Road  GlasgowScotlandPartner in charge

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 5RIBA1960The RIBA Kalendar 1959-19601959-1960  
Item 2 of 5RIBA1965The RIBA Kalendar   
Item 3 of 5RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   
Item 4 of 5RIBA1979Directory of members   
Item 5 of 5RIBA1984RIBA Directory of members   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2H M Register HouseDeath Register  
Item 2 of 2RIAS, Rutland SquareRecords of membership