Alexander Aimwell Cantin

Name

Cantin, Alexander Aimwell

Personal Information

Birth/Death:    b. 03/04/1874; AIA notified of decease December 1964
Occupation:    American architect
Location (state):    CA

This record has not been verified for accuracy.

AIA Affiliation

Member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 1927-1928; 1945-decease

Biographical Sources

American Architects Directories:
Address listed in 1956 American Architects Directory
Address listed in 1962 American Architects Directory
Biographical information:
Contributed by the Environmental Design Archives, University of California, Berkeley:
Alexander (Aimwell) Cantin was born March 4, 1874, and died (unknown). He built a number of building on the campus of the College of Marin, including the Science Building, the first permanent building on campus ( http://www.marin.cc.ca.us/lrc/photos/archive2.html). He is possibly best known for being the lead architect (while working at the firm of Miller and Pflueger) on the 26-story, Coast Division Building of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company at 140 New Montgomery Street. He is also known for the number of movie theatres he designed in the 1920's and 30's. He was issued his architectural license in 1901, and was a member of the AIA, with over 48 years of active practice. Of lifelong interest to him was the design of decorative columns. He was awarded patents for several of his column designs.

Related Records

Father and partner of A. Mackenzie Cantin

Archival Holdings

The American Institute of Architects Archives
      Membership file may contain membership application, related correspondence. Contact the AIA Archives at archives@aia.org for further information.

Environmental Design Archives, University of California, Berkeley

Collection Number: 2006-3. Extent: 1 manuscript box, 2 flat file drawers. The A. A. and A.M. Cantin collection documents approximately fifty-six projects through textual records, drawings and photographs. The collection is arranged in two series: Office Records and Project Records. The office records include biographical information, notable projects, and letters of recommendation. The bulk of the collection is comprised of project records. Arranged alphabetically, they consist of correspondence, clippings, photographs and drawings. Also included in the project records are sketches of column designs by A.A.Cantin. He was interested in column design throughout his career, and some of the sketches are noted as pending patents. For further information contact the Environmental Design Archives http://www.ced.berkeley.edu/cedarchives/

Publications