Video: Basil Spence: Radical or reactionary?

A talk by Keith Williams

Recorded Tuesday 6th June 2023 at The Gallery, London EC1

Sir Basil Spence RA OM (1907-76) was one of the most prolific British architects of the post-World War Two era. Born in India during the colonial era, Spence was educated in Scotland and spent his early career during the 1930s designing country houses. It was after returning from wartime service in the army that he built his reputation as a Modern Movement architect, with a series of projects  -  including Coventry Cathedral, Hyde Park Barracks, and the University of Sussex-  would define his career. 

But despite his public prominence as an architect during his life, and his large volume of work, Spence is today less celebrated. Through an exploration of some of his key buildings, Keith Williams invites us to look again at Spence’s legacy. 

Keith R Williams FRSA MRIAI FRIBA is a multi-award winning architect and founder + director of design at Keith Williams Architects. His projects include Athlone Civic Centre, Ireland, the Unicorn Theatre London, Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury and Clare County Library + Art Gallery, Ireland (under construction). He is currently working on upgrading the Spence Quarter at the University of Sussex.