I am a founder member of BABA and, over the last forty two years, I have been involved with designing and making bespoke art and architectural metalwork. I started in business at Balnakeil Craft Village in the far north west of Scotland and since then, like Topsy, it grew and grew. The major expansion arose when I won the contract to design, make and install the architectural metalwork for Princes Square in Glasgow. Following this I gained credibility among architects and developers to be able to form a valuable member of design teams and a maker with the ability to deliver large scale bespoke architectural metalwork projects around the world.
This was possible because of the excellent team of craftsmen that had grown up beside me supported by excellent draughtsmen, administrators and managers.
Following the financial crash of 2008 I committed my company to the design and build of a prototype flat pack eco house with a view to establishing this as the major product for my company, Alan Dawson Associates Ltd. We named the system ADAPTAHAUS and the manufacture in our factory and the week long build of the house on site was featured on Grand Designs in October 2010.
I was not able to commercialise the product and my business wound up at the end of 2010.
I have built a small workshop and I am now trading as a one man band still designing and making a diverse range of art and architectural metalwork examples of which can be seen in the images below.
I was awarded a Silver Medal and title of Eminent Master Blacksmith by The worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.