Basil Spence

Sir Basil Urwin Spence, (13 August 1907 – 19 November 1976), was a notable Scottish architect, most famously associated with Coventry Cathedral, but also responsible for numerous other buildings in the Modernist/Brutalist style.

Global recognition

During the war, Coventry?s 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).

Related Topics:
Coventry?s Anglican Cathedral - Giles Gilbert Scott - Royal Fine Arts Commission - British Commonwealth - 1956 - 1962 - Royal Institute of British Architects

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He was also responsible for designing high-rise housing developments in Glasgow, Scotland. These were intended to replace the notorious slum tenements in the Gorbals area of the city. However, a combination of social deprivation and exclusion in the relevant areas, coupled to poor execution of his designs meant that the developments created as many problems as they solved. His most derided project, the Hutchesontown C scheme, was demolished in 1993.

Related Topics:
Glasgow - 1993

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