Basil Spence. Image from Wikipedia.
Basil Spence (1907-76)
Basil Spence was born in Bombay, India, where his father Urwin had been posted as part of his work for the Royal Mint. He was sent to Scotland at the age of 12 to continue his education, and eventually studied architecture at the Edinburgh College of Art. After passing his exams he moved to London to work for Edwin Lutyens, before going into practice with William Kininmonth, who he worked alongside in London. They later merged with another practice to make Rowand Anderson & Paul & Partners. During World War II, Spence worked for the Camouflage Unit of the British Army, and took part in the D-Day Landings.
After the war, Spence set up his own practice, and designed the Sea & Ships Pavilion at the 1951 Festival of Britain. Spence then won the competition to redesign the bombed Coventry Cathedral, a project that would make his name and see him Knighted in 1960. His radical design incorporated the ruins of the first cathedral, with the new building featuring artwork by Graham Sutherland, John Piper, Keith New and many others. After this Spence picked up many high profile commissions; the British Embassy in Rome (1971), Hyde Park Barracks (1970) and many University projects. Spence worked until his death in 1976, and some projects were completed after he had passed away such as Kensington Town Hall (1977).
Buildings: Hyde Park Barracks, Petty France, Salters Hall
Basil Spence was born in Bombay, India, where his father Urwin had been posted as part of his work for the Royal Mint. He was sent to Scotland at the age of 12 to continue his education, and eventually studied architecture at the Edinburgh College of Art. After passing his exams he moved to London to work for Edwin Lutyens, before going into practice with William Kininmonth, who he worked alongside in London. They later merged with another practice to make Rowand Anderson & Paul & Partners. During World War II, Spence worked for the Camouflage Unit of the British Army, and took part in the D-Day Landings.
After the war, Spence set up his own practice, and designed the Sea & Ships Pavilion at the 1951 Festival of Britain. Spence then won the competition to redesign the bombed Coventry Cathedral, a project that would make his name and see him Knighted in 1960. His radical design incorporated the ruins of the first cathedral, with the new building featuring artwork by Graham Sutherland, John Piper, Keith New and many others. After this Spence picked up many high profile commissions; the British Embassy in Rome (1971), Hyde Park Barracks (1970) and many University projects. Spence worked until his death in 1976, and some projects were completed after he had passed away such as Kensington Town Hall (1977).
Buildings: Hyde Park Barracks, Petty France, Salters Hall