John Smith (architect)
He secured private commissions to design, renovate or alter numerous country houses, parish churches and castles; his official capacity as city architect ensured he is also credited with several extensive public works.
[1][3] The younger Smith attended Aberdeen Grammar School before serving an apprenticeship as a stonemason in his father's building firm.
Consisting of 56 but and ben one storey thatched houses arranged in two squares, the plans quickly received council approval and construction was completed by 1809.
[10] He is credited with compiling the first map showing a correct outline of Aberdeen city in 1810 indicating present and planned improvements.
With a career spanning the years from 1805 until his death in 1852, the list of works Smith was associated with, both in his official capacity as City Architect and private commissions, is lengthy; some examples are given below.
Smith's contract also included building three miles of approach road and he designed/built the toll house at the north-east end of the bridge.
[29] In 1814–1815 Smith was commissioned to design modifications to Brucklay Castle including remodelling the main entrance hall and frontage; this was in the neoclassical style.
[31] Returning in 1820, Smith extended the old stable block in a mainly one and a half-storey Gothic style with a central pyramid roofed two-storey tower.
"[36] Smith also worked on nearby Castle Fraser constructing an access stairway between the great hall on the first floor and the rear courtyard entrance.
Two crow stepped gatehouses were constructed between an arched gateway entrance and various access passages joined the first floor wings.
The owner, Sir John Forbes, had considered demolishing the tower but Smith advised against it stating it was: "one of the finest specimens in the Country of the age and style in which it was built.
Miller speculates Gillespie Graham could have had a dispute with the owner, George Drummond, but considers Smith's closer proximity to the site is a more plausible scenario.
[42] The rugged cliff tops to the north of Cruden Bay were the setting for Slains Castle where, in 1836, Smith was engaged by William Hay, 18th Earl of Erroll and Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire to renovate his existing courtyard house into a stylish residence suitable for a person of his standing.
Smith's design enveloped the previous building, encasing it in a new structure of pink Peterhead granite and featured round towers.
A box tower above the main entrance features a crenellated top with louvred pointed panels, belfry and clock incorporated in the front (south) gable with walls of rough granite.
[45] The north aisle of St Machar's Cathedral was restored to Smith's designs in 1832 and the entrance lodges and gateway were re-built.
[47] There were Greek pediments included on top of the side elevations, stone margins set into the rendered walls and it conveyed an impression of northern Italy.
Designs were drawn up for the section named Cromwell's Tower and its original six storeys were replaced with four modern levels and included a ground floor flat for the housekeeper with classrooms above.
[1][56] Smith completed a contract started by William Burn to the back and west boundary walls of Robert Gordon's College with extra wings and other alterations continued from 1830 until 1833.
Most of their eight children died at an early age but their fourth child, William, joined his father in business and also became city architect in Aberdeen.
