Architecture
Basil Spence archive exclusive
September 2007: in review
Born in India in the early Edwardian era, Basil Spence began his career in the office of Sir Edwin Lutyens. By the time he returned to his native Scotland to set up his own practice in 1930, modernism was gaining ground and, following a distinguished military career during the war, the architect found himself as one of the premier exponents of the new, rather idiosyncratic British manifestation of the style.
Firstly at the Festival of Britain, then most famously at Coventry Cathedral, Spence proved himself a master of modern materials and forms, switching deftly between the solidity of concrete and stone, and the lightness afforded by glass and steel. If you wanted something bold, modern, but home-grown, you went for Spence, hence the host of government, corporate and education commissions that eventually came his way.
The October issue of Wallpaper* features a profile of Sir Basil Spence, focusing on his iconic and brutalistic British embassy in Rome. Here on wallpaper.com, we can exclusively show you more images from the Basil Spence Archive Project.
To see a selection of images from Spence's extraordinary body of work, click on the image below.
Click here to view gallery.
