Basic Biographical Details Name: | Andrew Doolan | Designation: | | Born: | 17 July 1951 | Died: | 28 April 2004 | Bio Notes: | Andrew Doolan was born in Glasgow, the son of a miner, and the eldest of three children on 17 July 1951. He attended St Ninian's High School in Kirkintilloch but left with an A-grade in engineering drawing but no other qualifications. As a boy he delived posters to shops in Kirkintilloch advertising the Pavilion cinema where his grandfather was manager.
Doolan joined the fire service in 1967 but left to take up an apprenticeship as an architectural technician at a Glasgow practice, studying for Highers at night school as preparation for entry into a course to study for a degree in architecture. He subsequently studied at Leeds School of Architecture from 1971-75.
The completion of his studies coincided with a change in the regulation regarding architects who were for the first time allowed to be involved in property development. Doolan believed that good architecture was essential to property development.
His first £I million was made in purchasing for £77,000 and renovating 60 derelict flats and 12 shops in West Crosscauseway, West Nicolson Street and Forest Hill, Edinburgh. His business interests gradually rose to a value of £20m. Most of his work was done through his development company, Kantel, with Doolan as major share holder. He was founder and Managing Director of Andrew Doolan Limited and other directorships inlcuded Andrew Doolan Architects Limited and Atholl Estates.
Three major projects which won numerous awards are the Edinburgh City Travel Inn at Morrisons Link, the Point Hotel and the Point Conference Centre. In 1996 he was nominated as the best architect in Scotland.
In 2001 there was an initiative by the Scottish Executive for an annual award for the best new building in Scotland. This was not funded by the Executive and Doolan stepped in to provide the RIAS with the largest financial prize in UK architecture.
One of Doolan's last projects was his own house in the Grange which provoked outcry at the time. He added to a C listed villa a light glass box which is reflected by a shallow pool behind the original stone walls.
Doolan died suddenly on 28 April 2004. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business | | | | | 31B, Dick Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | | | | | 34, Bread Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 2000(?) | | |
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesPeriodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | RIAS Chartered Architect | 2004 | v16, no3 | | Death note | | Scotsman | 28 April 2004 | | | | | Scotsman | 26 February 2005 | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | RIAS, Rutland Square | Records of membership | | |
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