Basic Biographical Details

Name: Andrew Strachan Nicoll
Designation:  
Born: 10 March 1940
Died: 21 October 2016
Bio Notes: Andrew Strachan Nicoll was born in Carnoustie on 10 March 1940, the son and middle of the three children of David Duncan Nicoll who was killed in action in Germany in 1945 and his wife Helen Kidd. She was one of the first female graduates of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art. Andrew Nicoll was educated at Arbroath High School. He studied architecture at Duncan of Jordanstone and was admitted ARIBA in 1963. The same year he married his wife Dorothy.

The couple moved to London later that year so enable Nicoll to widen his experience. He worked with a number of London practices including Powell & Moya and Denys Lasdun. He also met the legendary Team 4 (Su Bramwell, Wendy Cheesman, Richard Rodgers and Norman Foster) and was offered a post in their new practice but he declined because of the financial risk involved. He returned to Dundee in 1966 and took a post with Robbie & Wellwood and rose to the position of partner by 1972. He formed a close working relationship with the young designer Richard Russell who also worked in the practice.

In 1982 he formed Nicoll Russell Studios with Richard Russell, run from a room in Nicoll's house. One of the largest jobs undertaken by the practice was the design and construction of the Dundee Repertory Theatre which although begun while they worked with Robbie & Wellwood, was taken over by the newly formed practice. It achieved a number of awards. The practice went on to undertake a range of high profile commissions.

After the launch of Nicoll Russell in 1982, Dorothy took an important role in the business and continued to do so until she retired in 1999.

Nicoll was involved in the development of the city of Dundee and was active in the Dundee City Trust. He was represented the north of Scotland at the RIBA.

Outwith his profession Nicoll was a keen musician, playing both the trombone and trumpet, and had played at various clubs in London in the early 1960s. Later he was active in the local jazz scene in Broughty Ferry. He organised concerts in Broughty Ferry which attracted some of the biggest names in jazz.

Nicoll retired in 2000. For the first five years of his retirement he remained active in organisations concerned with the built environment in Dundee. Besides the City Trust he worked with the Broughty Ferry Development Trust and served on the Board of the Mills Observatory. He was also involved with numerous clubs and organisations and enjoyed playing with his grandchildren. He had a great sense of humour and was always keen to become actively involved in all he did. His partner Richard Russell said he was 'the absolute linchpin in our first 20 years' work at Nicoll Russell and without him, absolutely none of it would have happened - no contracts, no money and none of the projects that helped establish the company. He was quite an alternative kind of guy, very gentle but also very solid and supportive, with a wonderful optimism about him - almost to the point of stubbornness. Whenever we ran into difficulties, he's day 'there'll be a way to get around this'. And there usually was'.

Nicoll died in October 2016, and is survived by his wife, his daughters and son and his grandchildren.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 28, Claypotts Castle Gardens, West Ferry, Dundee, Scotland    
Item 2 of 2Fort House/63, Fort Street, Broughty Ferry, Angus, ScotlandBusiness1979  

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 2Robbie & WellwoodBefore 1970After 1980Partner 
Item 2 of 2Nicoll Russell Studios19822000Partner 

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 98 Grianan Building, Dundee Technology Park  DundeeScotland 
Item 2 of 98 HomeSuperclub  LondonEngland 
Item 3 of 981962Dental Hospital and School  DundeeScotlandAddition of 11-storey tower and 3-storey Fyfe-stone walled block
Item 4 of 981968Deanhead Field HousingEyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 5 of 981968Private housing developmentNewport on Tay FifeScotland 
Item 6 of 981968Private housing developmentNewport-on-Tay FifeScotland 
Item 7 of 981968Viewfield HotelArbroath AngusScotlandNew public bar and functions suite
Item 8 of 98196912 fish working unitsEyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 9 of 981969Club and function rooms for British LegionEyemouth BerwickshireScotlandFeasibility study
Item 10 of 981969Gunsgreen HouseEyemouth BerwickshireScotlandRestoration
Item 11 of 981969Premises of Stevenson Bros (Dundee Ltd)  DundeeScotlandRenovation of main laundry premises
Item 12 of 981969Royal Bank of ScotlandBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandRenovation of bank and manager's house
Item 13 of 981970sClub and function rooms for British LegionEyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 14 of 981970sDental Hospital and School  DundeeScotlandExtension
Item 15 of 981970sDepot for Lawsons of Dyce  DundeeScotland 
Item 16 of 981970sDepot for Lawsons of DyceInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 17 of 981970sDepot for Lawsons of DycePaisley RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 18 of 981970sHaymount HouseDuns BerwickshireScotlandFeasibility study
Item 19 of 981970sHealth CentreKinghorn FifeScotland 
Item 20 of 981970sLocal Authority housesAyton BerwickshireScotlandModernisation
Item 21 of 981970sLocal Authority housesBurnmouth BerwickshireScotlandModernisation
Item 22 of 981970sLocal Authority housesEyemouth BerwickshireScotlandModernisation
Item 23 of 981970sLocal Authority HousesColdingham BerwickshireScotlandModernisation
Item 24 of 981970sLocal Authority HousingChirnside BerwickshireScotlandModernisation
Item 25 of 981970sLocal Authority HousingReston BerwickshireScotlandModernisation
Item 26 of 981970sLocal Authority HousingCockburnspath BerwickshireScotlandModernisation
Item 27 of 981970sLocal Authority housingGreenlaw BerwickshireScotlandModernisation
Item 28 of 981970sLocal Authority housingGordon BerwickshireScotlandModernisation
Item 29 of 981970sLocal Authority housingSt Abbs BerwickshireScotlandModernisation
Item 30 of 981970sNorth of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board DepotKirkwallMainlandOrkneyScotland 
Item 31 of 981970sPrivate house for A DougalCockburnspath BerwickshireScotland 
Item 32 of 981970sPrivate house for J A EdgarEyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 33 of 981970sPrivate house for T DykesEyemouth or Coldingham BerwickshireScotland 
Item 34 of 981970sShop and house premises for J MaltmanEyemouth BerwickshireScotlandRedevelopment
Item 35 of 981970Commericial development for V Quinn & Son et al  DundeeScotland 
Item 36 of 981970Shopping development for McNeils Berwick LtdBerwick East LothianScotland 
Item 37 of 981970St John's Cross Church, multi-purpose hall  DundeeScotland 
Item 38 of 981971168-174 High Street  DundeeScotland 
Item 39 of 981971FarmhouseCockburnspath BerwickshireScotland 
Item 40 of 981971Sheltered housing complexEyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 41 of 98197289 houses, SpittalBerwick-on-Tweed  England 
Item 42 of 981972Feasibility study for central redevelopment and commercial housing Eyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 43 of 981972House for J HorneEyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 44 of 981972House For J HoweEyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 45 of 981972LaundryEyemouth BerwickshireScotlandConversion of laundry to house
Item 46 of 981972Masonic Lodge, Ayton Castle, Lodge AytonAyton BerwickshireScotland 
Item 47 of 981972Private house for A J CurtisEyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 48 of 981972Private House for H O'MaraEyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 49 of 981972Robert Smail's Printing WorksInnerleithen PeeblesshireScotlandAlterations
Item 50 of 981972ShopEyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 51 of 981972Swinton village, environmental improvementsSwinton BerwickshireScotland 
Item 52 of 98c. 1972Private house for G DougalEyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 53 of 98c. 1972Private house for J EvansEyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 54 of 98c. 1972Private house for W ChisholmEyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 55 of 981973Cattle breeding centreScone PerthshireScotlandNew building and extension to old one
Item 56 of 981973Housing for Carnoustie Town CouncilCarnoustie AngusScotland 
Item 57 of 981973New private housing for J A Edgar  BerwickshireScotland 
Item 58 of 981973Private housing for A R Harrison  BerwickshireScotland 
Item 59 of 98c. 1973New private housing for D Renstead  BerwickshireScotland 
Item 60 of 981974'Barracuda' nightlife complex  DundeeScotland 
Item 61 of 981974Health CentreFriockheim AngusScotland 
Item 62 of 981974Offices for Cheltenham & Gloucester Building Society  DundeeScotland 
Item 63 of 981974Sands DiscothequeBroughty Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 64 of 981974Sheltered housing for Servite Houses Ltd  DundeeScotland 
Item 65 of 981974(?)Surgery for group practiceChirnside BerwickshireScotland 
Item 66 of 98After 1975Local Authority housingOxton BerwickshireScotlandModernisation
Item 67 of 98After 1975Local Authority housingEarlston BerwickshireScotlandModernisation
Item 68 of 98After 1975Swimming poolEyemouth BerwickshireScotlandSupervision of construction
Item 69 of 981977Factory of Whyte & Edward Diecasting Co.  DundeeScotlandExtension
Item 70 of 981977Food Processing factory  DundeeScotlandExtensions
Item 71 of 981979Dundee Repertory Theatre  DundeeScotlandJob started by Robbie & Wellwood but taken over by Nicoll Russell.
Item 72 of 981979House of GrayInvergowrie DundeeScotlandRestoration and repair
Item 73 of 981979The Mary AcreBrechin AngusScotlandAlterations and additions. Restoration and creation of new dwelling
Item 74 of 981980167 Fisher Street and 1 Ambrose StreetBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandRestoration and conversion to 2 dwellings.
Item 75 of 98Before 1981Commercial Inn for A HowieArbroath AngusScotlandExtension
Item 76 of 98Before 1981FarmhouseInverkeilor AngusScotlandExtension
Item 77 of 98Before 1981Local Authority housesGalashiels SelkirkshireScotlandModernisation of houses
Item 78 of 98Before 1981Local Authority housingGattonside RoxburghshireScotlandModernisation
Item 79 of 98Before 1981Local Authority Housing Galashiels SelkirkshireScotlandModernisation
Item 80 of 98Before 1981Mainetti UK Ltd officesJedburgh RoxburghshireScotlandInterior design
Item 81 of 98Before 1981Office for Alex Inglis & CoJuniper Green EdinburghScotlandConversion
Item 82 of 98Before 1981Practice CentreChirnside BerwickshireScotland 
Item 83 of 98Before 1981Printing Works for Tweeddale Press LtdSelkirk SelkirkshireScotlandAlterations
Item 84 of 98Before 1981Private house for Mr G BellGattonside RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 85 of 98Before 1981Private house for Mr H NewtonKelso RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 86 of 98Before 1981Showroom for Scottish GasArbroath AngusScotlandRenovation
Item 87 of 98Before 1981Workshops and storeAncrum RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 88 of 981990Servite HouseCrieff PerthshireScotland 
Item 89 of 981994Dundee Court House and Bridewell  DundeeScotlandAddition of courtroom behind 1830s screen wall.
Item 90 of 981996Block of flats, Arbroath Road  DundeeScotland 
Item 91 of 982000Scottish School of Contemporary Dance  DundeeScotland 
Item 92 of 98c. 2000Block of flats, Victoria Road  DundeeScotland 
Item 93 of 98c. 2000City bus shelters  DundeeScotland 
Item 94 of 982002Storm Water TankCamperdown Dock DundeeScotland 
Item 95 of 982002University College Dundee, medical schools  DundeeScotlandEntrance front link to adjoining Carnelley building
Item 96 of 982004Dundee Repertory Theatre  DundeeScotlandScottish Dance Theatre added on roof
Item 97 of 982005Institute of Sport and Excercise  DundeeScotlandRotunda at E end added
Item 98 of 982009Hillcrest Housing Association headquartersDundee Technology Park DundeeScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Allen, Nic (ed.) Scottish Architects in Conservation  p88
Item 2 of 2RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Dundee Courier and Advertiser27 October 2016  Obituary