Basil Spence

Architect

Birthday August 13, 1907

Birth Sign Leo

Birthplace India

DEATH DATE Nov 19, 1976 (69)

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About

Scottish architect who was knighted for his design of the Coventry Cathedral in England. He was also responsible for the Beehive, an iconic wing of New Zealand's Parliament Building. He adhered to Modernist and Brutalist techniques.

Before Fame

He became a junior lecturer at Edinburgh College of Art while still a student there. He worked for such notables as Leslie Grahame-Thomson and Reginald Fairlie while in college.

Trivia

He began designing exhibitions in 1938, including three pavilions for Glasgow's 1938 Empire Exhibition. He also specialized in country houses.

Family Life

His family was residing in Bombay, India, when he was born. His father, Urwin Archibald Spence, was employed as an assayer with the Royal Mint. He married in 1934.

Associated With

He and sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi both attended Edinburgh College of Art.