Basic Biographical Details Name: | James ('Jim') Paxton Landels | Designation: | | Born: | 10 May 1954 | Died: | 14 June 2010 | Bio Notes: | James 'Jim' Paxton Landels was born on 10 May 1954, the son of James Paxton Landels, a Joppa butcher, and his wife Ellen Bannon. He was educated at Portobello Primary School where he was dux and won a scholarship to the Royal High School. He studied architecture at Edinburgh College of Art. His year out between Parts I and II of his degree was spent with the Scottish Special Housing Association and the Scottish Development Department.
After qualification Landels took a post with Robert Matthews Johnson Marshall & Partners. In 1978 he moved to the practice of Kneale & Russell where he became a partner in 1982. He undertook a number of sheltered housing projects in Edinburgh. The complexity of dealing with buildings in multiple ownership and the conflicting demands made upon him by contractors, owners and tenants proved demanding were handled by Landels with 'humour and sense of purpose'. He also designed new-builds for Edinvar, Viewpoint, VCanmore and Link Housing Associations. He demonstrated his ability to work as a conservation architect with the commission in the 1980s for major works at Fort George.
Landels was involved with a wide range of designs which included work for the University of Edinburgh, the Bank of Scotland, British Telecom, as well as comissions in healthcare, the hotel industry and schools.
At the same time as conducting his private practice, Landels taught courses at Napier, Heriot Watt and Edinburgh Universities. He was an external examiner for undergraduates (?)and also for the Architects' Professional Examination Authority as a Part III examiner.
Landels believed in the ability of well-designed buildings to influence people's lives and this is apparent in his published articles.
Outwith his work Landels was interested in photography and the history of the subject. He worked hard in the creation of a museum of photography in the old Royal High School building, though this did not come to fruition. He was also a great reader and a keen sportsman. He enjoyed camping and the outdoors, skiing, fishing and sailing and owned a GP14 sailing dinghy.
Landels was first diagnosed with cancer in 2002 and was given a short prognosis but he lived for a further eight years. He died on 14 June 2010, survived by his mother, his wife Lorraine and his two daughters Jennifer and Rebecca. He was the second architect ever to receive a posthumous Fellowship of the RIAS. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Edinburgh, Scotland | | | | |
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | Kneale & Russell | 1978 | 1982 | Architect | | | Kneale & Russell | 1982 | | Partner | |
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 | | 1980s(?) | Development of private and social housing, Morrison Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | As partner in charge | | 1980s | Tenements, Caledonian Crescent | Gorgie | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Refurbishment- partner in charge | | 1980s | University of Edinburgh, Buch Estate, laboratories | Roslin | | Midlothian | Scotland | As partner in charge | | 1980s | University of Edinburgh, Bush Estate, Small Animal Hospital | Roslin | | Midlothian | Scotland | Partner in charge | | 1980s | University of Edinburgh, Bush Estate, teaching facilities | Roslin | | Midlothian | Scotland | As partner in charge | | 1984 | Royal Naval Base, HMS Cochrane, junior ratings' accommodation | Rosyth | | Fife | Scotland | As partner in charge | | Early 1980s | Fort George Prison | Fort George | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | Restoration - as partner in charge | | Mid 1980s | Deanery Close sheltered housing scheme | Restalrig | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Partner in charge. | | 1990s(?) | Bank of Scotland | Portobello | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Partner in charge | | 1990s(?) | Bank of Scotland | Peebles | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | Refitting old branch? Conflict of information: Borders Buildings of Scotland gives J D Cairns & Davidson but Scotsman obituary of Jim Landels says it was a new build by Kneale & Russell. | | 1990s | Bank of Scotland | Southampton | | | England | Refitting | | 1990s(?) | Bank of Scotland | | | Bristol | England | Refitting | | 1990s(?) | British Telecom Call Centre | Dumbarton | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1990s(?) | British Telecom Call Centre | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1990s | Edinburgh Airport Hotel | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Refitting | | 1990s(?) | Scotsman Buildings | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Refitting as hotel? | | 1990 | Leith Academy | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | As partner in charge |
ReferencesPeriodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | RIAS Quarterly | 2010 | Summer | Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) | p.111: obituary | | Scotsman | 26 June 2010 | | | Obituary by Neil Baxter. |
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