Basil Spence
Sir Basil Spence (13 August 1907-19 November 1976 was a notable Scottish architect, most famously associated with the Cathedral in Coventry, but also responsible for numerous other buildings in the Modernist style.
Training
Spence was born in Bombay, India but was sent back to Scotland to study. He attended George Watson's College in Edinburgh, then the architecture school of the citys Heriot-Watt University, before completing his architectural studies at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London.
Early career
His first post was as an assistant in the London office of Sir Edwin Lutyens (whose work was to have a profound influence on Spence's style), where he worked on designs for the Viceroy's House in New Delhi, India. He subsequently joined the London office of Rowland Anderson & Paul, where he worked with Sir William Kininmonth, then returned to Edinburgh in 1930.
Spence served in the British Army from 1939-1945, reaching the rank of major.
Global recognition
During the war, Coventrys Anglican Cathedral had been almost completely destroyed during enemy bombing. In 1944, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott submitted a design proposal to rebuild the cathedral but this was rejected by the Royal Fine Arts Commission. In 1950, a competition was launched to find the most suitable design from a British Commonwealth architect. Over 200 entries were received, but Spence's radical design was ultimately chosen. Work began in 1956 and the structure was completed in 1962. Spence was knighted in 1960 for his work at Coventry, and also served as President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (1958-1960).
Other projects
- Gribloch (a house near Kippen, Stirling (1938-39)
- Sea and Ships Pavilions for Festival of Britain (1951)
- Erasmus Building, Friars Court, Queen's College, Cambridge (1959-1960)
- Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre (originally 'Swimming Baths'), London (1960)
- Spence House, near Beaulieu, Hampshire (designed 1961, for Spence's own use and listed Grade II)
- Various buildings at Sussex University (1960s) including Falmer House (1962, now a Grade I listed building)
- Hutchesontown C flats, Gorbals, Glasgow (1962 demolished in 1993)
- Nuffield Theatre, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton (1964)
- St Aidan's College, University of Durham
- Library Edinburgh University
- Glasgow Airport (1966)
- Knightsbridge Barracks, London (1970)
- British Embassy, Rome (1971)
- The Beehive, Wellington, New Zealand (1974)
From 1961 to 1968, Spence was Professor of Architecture at the Royal Academy. Sometimes compared with Robert Adam for his attention to detail, particularly in incorporating bespoke furniture and other elements into interior spaces, Spence died in 1976 in Eye, Suffolk and was buried at Thornham Parva, Suffolk.
Referenced By
13 August | 13th August | 19 November | 19th November | August 13 | August 13th | Coventry | Coventry, England | Coventry Cathedral | Denys Lasdun | List of architects | List of notable architects | November 19 | November 19th
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