A new book on the career of Coventry Cathedral architect Sir Basil Spence is being launched next week at the celebrated city centre venue.

Sir Basil was the most publicly-celebrated architect of the post-war era and he has been the focus of a major research project, led by University of Warwick academic Professor Louise Campbell.

Professor Campbell is launching her new book, Basil Spence: Buildings and Projects, at a special event at Coventry Cathedral on Wednesday 19 September. The book is edited by Professor Campbell, Jane Thomas and Miles Glendinning.

Professor Campbell’s book spans Sir Basil’s entire career, which included designing country houses in Scotland, a period working in Sir Edwin Lutyens’ office on designs for the Viceroy’s Palace in New Delhi, working at the 1951 Festival of Britain and building the British Embassy in Rome.

The book presents in detail the buildings and projects designed during his astonishingly broad and productive career.

This year also marks the 50^th anniversary of Coventry Cathedral, Spence's most acclaimed building.

Professor Campbell said:

"Spence's genius as an architect was to provide people with dramatic and beautiful buildings.

"Coventry Cathedral, which made Spence a household name in 1962, reveals his ability to communicate with and to move a very wide public.

"It is a building which encapsulates the spirit of post-war Britain, reminding people of their past while at the same time providing them with the symbol of a shining new future."

ENDS

For further information please contact University of Warwick press officer Anna Blackaby on +44 (0) 2476 575910 or +44 (0)7785 433155 or a dot blackaby at warwick dot ac dot uk

Photo of Coventry cathedral by Andrew Walker used under a Creative Commons license. Source: Wikimedia Commons

War, Peace and Architecture - Warwick Knowlege Centre article on Sir Basil Spence

Contact:

University of Warwick press officer Anna Blackaby on +44 (0) 2476 575910 or +44 (0)7785 433155 or a dot blackaby at warwick dot ac dot uk