Basil spence coventry. See full list on historiccoventry. Nov 20, 1976 · LONDON, Nov. Aug 13, 2025 · Basil Spence, born in 1907 in the picturesque town of Whitley, Coventry, was a prominent Scottish architect renowned for his innovative designs and pioneering spirit. 08. Sir Basil Urwin Spence, OM OBE RA (13 August 1907 – 19 November 1976) was a Scottish architect, most notably associated with Coventry Cathedral in England and the Beehive in New Zealand, but also responsible for numerous other buildings in the Modernist/Brutalist style. Aug 9, 2025 · Sir Basil Spence (born August 13, 1907, Bombay—died November 19, 1976, Eye, Suffolk, England) was an architect best known for the new Coventry cathedral, built to replace the cathedral that had been gutted during a World War II bombing raid. Feb 16, 2024 · The cathedral's completion marked the beginning of a new chapter in Coventry's history, one defined by the indomitable spirit of its citizens and the enduring legacy of Sir Basil Spence's visionary design. He became known in particular for the Coventry Cathedral and the parliament building in the New Zealand capital Wellington. [10] The selection of Spence for the work was a result of a competition held in 1950 to find an architect for the new Coventry Cathedral; his design was chosen from over two hundred submitted. Sir Basil Spence - United Kingdom Sir Basil Urwin Spence (13. Consecrated in May 1962, Coventry Cathedral rapidly became a popular symbol of reconciliation in postwar Britain. 19 — Sir Basil Spence, the architect, whose best‐known building was Coventry Cathedral, died last night at his home in Eye, Suffolk. uk Sir Basil Spence is famous for his striking modern design for the rebuilt Coventry Cathedral. 1907 - 19. The original medieval cathedral was destroyed by the Luftwaffe on 14 November 1940 in an air raid code-named "Moonlight Sonata". co. Oct 31, 2023 · Sir Basil Spence’s daring, modern plan was a radical break from tradition, but was also the only design that incorporated and preserved the destroyed church. 11. 1976) was a renowned Scottish architect. [11] Spence (later The three assessors - all architects selected by the Royal Institute of British Architects - chose the Scottish architect, Basil Spence, then best known for designing the Sea & Ships pavilion on London’s South Bank. Sir Basil Spence’s 1962 masterpiece embodies both the stark and the beautiful, to powerful effect. Born in Bombay, Basil Spence was sent to Scotland after attending school in India. The current St Michael's Cathedral, built next to the remains of the old one, was designed by Basil Spence and Arup, was built by John Laing [9] and is a Grade I listed building. He was 69 years old. Apr 1, 2022 · Sir Basil Spence’s Coventry Cathedral remains an overwhelming triumph and feels just as enduring and ageless as any of Britain’s great medieval cathedrals. Associated primarily with Coventry Cathedral in England and the Beehive in New Zealand, Spence's distinctive style embodied an innovative fusion of Modernist and Brutalist trends, making him a notable figure in British architectural history. There he attended the George Watson's College in Edinburgh in the years . kvhe mvol0 0cr jnsh vvo v284 6io vzefpcr q4f hkij