Basil Spence

University of Sussex
Basil Spence (1959-61). Many Grade 1
The original campus of Sussex University (founded in 1959) presents a number of distinctive listed buildings, several at Grade I. Writing about the creation of the University in 1961, founding architect Spence said: "The whole precinct should have the 'sense of a university' and should, if possible, grow out of the soil of Sussex to become a natural part of this beautiful site".

Scottish Widows Life Assurance Head Office
15 Dalkeith Road
Spence, Glover and Ferguson (1972-76) Listing: Category A
In 1970 Scottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance Society bought a six-acre site adjoining Holyrood Park for their new headquarters. In November 1972 Sir Basil Spence, Glover and Ferguson were commissioned as architects. This was the second time the practice had been commissioned by the company to build a head office in Edinburgh, the first the St Andrew’s Square office.

The Dalkeith Road office is made up of interlocking "elephant-proportioned" (McKean) hexagonal blocks varying in height from one to four storeys. An underground car park for 300 cars is to the northeast. The interior space is made up of open plan offices arranged around two service cores. The building was planned to be in harmony and scale with the site: the hexagonal shape used reflects the geological structure of the surrounding basalt rock.
Scottish Widows vacated the building in Autumn 2020. Redevelopment and partial demolition for usage has been approved.


Mortonhall Crematorium
Basil Spence, Glover & Ferguson (1967) Listed: Category A
In 1960, the City of Edinburgh commissioned Basil Spence & Partners to build a new multi-denominational crematorium. Situated on the south of the city, the resulting complex comprises a main structure with two large chapels and the cremation and services block, a separate private chapel, a garden of remembrance and staff residences. The dedication service for the chapels was held on 7 February 1967. It has been suggested that there is something of the spirit of Le Corbusier in this work by Spence, perhaps a stylistic debt to Ronchamp in the theatrical use of wall-planes and shafted light. The use of deflected light and colour is comparable with Coventry Cathedral – especially the way in which the solid wall planes focus attention on the catafalque, with the glazing only being seen as one turns to exit.

The main Chapel is a symmetrical, angular composition of slab walls with narrow windows in angles. Central timber flat-roofed porch, timber doors with vertical, glazed panels, window above with timber fin-like mullions projecting. There is a triangular zinc spire, glazed to the south. The interior has white painted walls, angled to focus attention on the catafalque. The interior fixtures and fittings were kept simple. Pine pews set into concrete blocks allow for quiet reflection; a white concrete and bronze platform supports the coffin; and dark grey concrete slabs comprise the flooring. The only colour within the chapels comes from the stained glass windows, which cast coloured patterns onto the white plaster walls (see photo). Catafalque in altar position with cross and curtain on wall behind. An organ is located above doorway on cantilevered platform.

Scottish Widows
9 and 10 St Andrew Square
Basil Spence & Partners (1956-62)
Built as Scottish Widows’ new head office and designed to harmonize with its neighbour the Guardian Royal Exchange. An understated but very sophisticated classical design using the finest materials. The finishing throughout is excellent. The principal entrance is a particularly successful piece of theatre, mirroring the treatment of 42 St Andrew Square which it faces, and the interior has survived much as Spence left it.

University of Edinburgh Library
30 George Square
Sir Basil Spence, Glover and Ferguson (1965-1967)
Basil Spence's University development plan of 1955 was generated around the pivotal hub of the Library site, after it was chosen as the quietest location within the central development area. Spence received the commission for the Library around this time, although work did not commence for a decade. The University's requirement, by that time, was for 2,500 reader places, 2 million books and 114 staff. The resulting building is a major work of Sir Basil Spence, Glover and Ferguson and a key Scottish building of the mid-1960s. It was the practice's largest building in Edinburgh at the time and received a RIBA award in 1968 and a Civic Trust Commendation in 1969.

Majestic Wines
(formerly Causewayside Service Station)
35 Causewayside
Kininmonth & Spence (1933-4)
Early Basil Spence with technical engineering detail by George Fraser. Infill garage front in International Modern style. White rendered cantilevered concrete: structural fins, glazed first floor, covered filling station. Curving administrative offices to the rear. Front elevation: deep cantilevers on pair stanchions carrying offices above garage forecourt; office front set back slightly from wall-plane of tenements; full length strip-glazing divided by 2 fins (corresponding with cantilevers) breaking eaves and bearing the original Art Deco sign. Petrol pumps on an island set between the principal stanchions re-located in 1961.

Apartment buildings
65-103 Canongate
Sir Basil Spence Glover and Ferguson (1961-69); renovation: John Gilbert Architects (2021)
Mixed-use neighbourhood constructed in 1969 to a design by Sir Basil Spence, Glover and Ferguson. The buildings are Category B-listed and within the Edinburgh World Heritage Site. As originally designed, the complex comprises three apartment blocks with four commercial premises at ground level, and a recreation centre (Harry Younger Hall). The original construction was concrete frame with uninsulated brick infill. The focus for this visit is Block 2, which includes a mix of 12 residential units and 2 commercial units.