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.

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 the University of Sussex (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)
• The "Beehive", Wellington, New Zealand (1964)
• St Aidan's College, University of Durham
• Library Edinburgh University
• Glasgow Airport (1966)
• Hyde Park Barracks, London (1970)
• British Embassy, Rome (1971)
• 50 Queen Anne's Gate (the Home Office building), London (1976)

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.

Related Topics:
Royal Academy - Robert Adam - Eye, Suffolk - Thornham Parva - Suffolk

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