16/03/2012
In 2003, the Spence family presented RCAHMS with a collection of over 40,000 items. This unique archive is made up of elements from Sir Basil's personal life, his student days in Edinburgh, and his entire professional career. It includes office drawings and sketches, files, photographs, news cuttings, models and personal papers. The archive includes designs for prestigious projects such as Coventry Cathedral and Sussex University.
The collection has been expertly conserved and catalogued, and in 2007–08 was the subject of a critically-acclaimed exhibition that ran at the National Galleries of Scotland, Dean Gallery in Edinburgh, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in London and the Herbert Gallery, Coventry.
You can view the material in our public search room or through Canmore, our online search facility, which includes 4,000 digitised images from the Spence Archive. You can browse some of the finest images from the collection below.
In March 2012, RIBA published 'Basil Spence: Buildings and Projects'. A landmark book, it draws extensively on the RCAHMS Spence archive, and is co-edited by RCAHMS Curator of Architectural Collections, Jane Thomas.






SC 358382
Glasgow, Hutchesontown, Area C. Photographic copy of perspective drawing showing general view of tower blocks with statue. Titled: Gorbals GD14. Signed DAL 58.
© RCAHMS

SC 426813
Basil Spence colour pastel perspective of the "Southern Motors" filling station, in Edinburgh, viewed from the South West.
© RCAHMS

SC 438977
Glasgow, Hutchesontown. View from Ground level of hanging balconies in Area C, with child in foreground.
© RCAHMS






SC 636578
Photographic view of clock tower and adjoining wing including staircase windows. Scanned image of D 64838.
© RCAHMS


SC 681261
Glasgow, Hutchesontown. View of Area C under construction from South along Sandyfaulds Square with tenements and small boy in foreground.
© RCAHMS




















DP 004585
View of Married Quarters, Tower Block (Block F), Hyde Park Cavalry Barracks, London from Hyde Park with parade in foreground.






SC 977393
East Kilbride, Westwood, Duncanrig Secondary School. View of entrance hall and mural.
© RCAHMS











SC 988340
View of terminal building, Glasgow Airport, Abbotsinch. Labelled: 'Terminal Building across the pool viewed from the car park'.
© RCAHMS



DP 009478
Detail of kit layout, Barracks Block (Block C), Hyde Park Cavalry Barracks, London.
© RCAHMS





DP 009492
Riding School (Block E), Hyde Park Cavalry Barracks, London. Section through riding school showing position of jump posts.
© RCAHMS








DP 010852
Perspective elevation from SE, Parliament Building Extension, Wellington, New Zealand.
© RCAHMS

DP 010853
London, Tea Centre, ICI Chemical Research Exhibition, Chemistry At Your Service. Presentation perspective showing ICI exhibition stand.
© RCAHMS

DP 010877
Scottish Industries Exhibition. Presentation perspective showing Wylie and Lochead exhibition stand.
© RCAHMS

DP 010911
Scottish Industries Exhibition. Presentation perspective showing Council of Industrial Design exhibition stand.
© RCAHMS











SC 1029628
View of Chapel of Christ in Gethsemene Crown of Thorns doorway prior to installation.
© RCAHMS









DP 011814
Perspectives and site plans of St Oswald's Church, Church of St John the Divine and St Chad's Church, Coventry.
© RCAHMS





DP 011835
Student material. Esquisse for 'a national institute of architecture'. Aerial perspective made during Basil Spence's Rowand Anderson Studentship.
© RCAHMS

DP 011875
Student material. Details showing design for console 'based upon the general form of the console from the door of the Erechtheion but having the character of the ornament on the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates'.
© RCAHMS

DP 011882
Student material. Esquisse for 'a national institute of architecture'. Details showing internal treatment of halls made during Basil Spence's Rowand Anderson Studentship.
© RCAHMS

DP 011883
Student material. Esquisse for 'a national institute of architecture'. Details of main entrances and fountain made during Basil Spence's Rowand Anderson Studentship.
© RCAHMS





DP 011887
Probably student material. Unidentified project. Interior perspective of sitting room.
© RCAHMS

DP 011890
Student material. Esquisse for 'an entrance to a great shipping company'. Interior perspective.
© RCAHMS

DP 011899
Student material. Esquisse for 'an entrance to a great shipping company'. Sketch plan and interior elevation.
© RCAHMS







SC 1030799
Interior view of the lift and spiral stair in the entrance hall of Scottish Widows, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
© RCAHMS

SC 1030927
Festival of Britain, Exhibition of Industrial Power, Hall of Power. Clay model of coal cliff sculptural mural.
© RCAHMS

























DP 012295
Coventry Cathedral competition. Lower ground floor plan, section and N elevation of cathedral. Floor plans and sections of Christian service centre.
© RCAHMS





DP 012296
London, Olympia, 1948 British Industries Fair. Presentation perspective of ICI exhibition stand.
© RCAHMS

DP 012299
Festival of Britain, Exhibition of Industrial Power. Hall of the Future, atomic mural, figure study.
© RCAHMS


DP 012308
Festival of Britain, Exhibition of Industrial Power. Hall of the Future, atomic mural, unexecuted scheme.
© RCAHMS













DP 014765
Plans and sketch elevation of early scheme for Meeting House, University of Sussex.
© RCAHMS


















DP 016900
Student material. Various buildings including England, Cambridgeshire, Ely, Bishop's Palace and Ely Cathedral; Cumbria, Carlisle, Burtholme, Lanercost Priory; East Cambridgeshire, Downham, Bishops Palace; East Northamptonshire, Lowick, Church of Saint Peter; Northamptonshire, Corby, Gretton, Kirby Hall; Northumberland, Tynedale, Hexham, Hexham Priory; North Yorkshire, Harrogate, Lindrick with Studley Royal and Fountains, Fountains Abbey; and North Yorkshire, York, York Minster. Study perspectives, plans, sections, elevations and details made during Basil Spence's Pugin Studentship.
© RCAHMS






DP 017873
Sketch elevations and details of proposed design for the British pavilion at Expo '67.
© RCAHMS









SC 1046624
Falmer House debating chamber, detail of acoustic brick work and Western Red Cedar octagonal roof.
© RCAHMS















SC 1047311
View of Sir Basil Spence studying the model of the British Pavilion for Expo 67.
© Crown Copyright

SC 1047315
Three Hostesses in front of the British Pavilion with Henry Moore's sculpture "The Locking Piece".
© Crown Copyright

SC 1047330
View of Sir Basil Spence inspecting the construction of the British Pavilion at Expo '67 .
© RCAHMS

SC 1047356
View of artist putting the final touches to sculptured figures in the "Britain Today" section.
© RCAHMS






DP 018861
Presentation sketch of the Hall of Coal for The Festival of Britain, Kelvin Hall, Exhibiton of Industrial Power, Sources of Power Hall.
© RCAHMS

























DP 021046
Elevation of a design for a national library, Sir Basil Spence, Soane Medallion competition entry.
© RCAHMS











SC 1057775
External view of the courtyard pool with mosaic at the foot of the stairs, British Embassy, Rome.
© RCAHMS








DP 021647
Casa Cliffhanger I for Sir Basil Spence and Casa Cliffhanger II for Mike and Joanna Leary. Sketch perspective.
© Sir Basil Spence Archive. Courtesy of HES







DP 021979
Sketch elevation of Meeting House, showing alterations to the height of the roof. University of Sussex.
© RCAHMS













DP 027133
Aerial perspective of fishermen's housing in Dunbar, showing two phases of housing, the earliest dating from 1933.
© Anthony Blee









SC 1082736
View of a group of people including Basil Spence and Sir Patrick Hancock at the Topping Out ceremony.
© RCAHMS


SC 358382
Glasgow, Hutchesontown, Area C. Photographic copy of perspective drawing showing general view of tower blocks with statue. Titled: Gorbals GD14. Signed DAL 58.
© RCAHMS

SC 426813
Basil Spence colour pastel perspective of the "Southern Motors" filling station, in Edinburgh, viewed from the South West.
© RCAHMS

SC 438977
Glasgow, Hutchesontown. View from Ground level of hanging balconies in Area C, with child in foreground.
© RCAHMS

SC 636578
Photographic view of clock tower and adjoining wing including staircase windows. Scanned image of D 64838.
© RCAHMS

SC 681261
Glasgow, Hutchesontown. View of Area C under construction from South along Sandyfaulds Square with tenements and small boy in foreground.
© RCAHMS

SC 684956
Photographic view of housing showing Canongate facades. Scanned image of B 78671.
© RCAHMS

SC 756210
Glasgow, Hutchesontown, Area C. Perspective drawing showing general view of tower blocks and commercial area with trees and people. Titled: C Gorbals GD13. Signed DAL 58.
© RCAHMS

SC 792274
Interior perspective from S down nave towards chancel, high altar, Lady Chapel and tapestry.
© RCAHMS

SC 806619
Empire Exhibition, ICI pavilion. Photographic view showing model of ICI pavilion. Stamped on verso: 'Photograph by Sydney W. Newbert 7 Stockwell Terrace S.W.[.]'. Scanned image of E 37986.
© RCAHMS

DP 004585
View of Married Quarters, Tower Block (Block F), Hyde Park Cavalry Barracks, London from Hyde Park with parade in foreground.

SC 977393
East Kilbride, Westwood, Duncanrig Secondary School. View of entrance hall and mural.
© RCAHMS

SC 977541
Kilsyth Academy. Photographic view of dining room interior. Labelled: 'Kilsyth School Dining Hall'.
© RCAHMS

DP 005339
London, Victoria and Albert Museum, 'Britain Can Make it' exhibition. Presentation perspective of Hall of the Future.
© RCAHMS

SC 988340
View of terminal building, Glasgow Airport, Abbotsinch. Labelled: 'Terminal Building across the pool viewed from the car park'.
© RCAHMS

DP 009478
Detail of kit layout, Barracks Block (Block C), Hyde Park Cavalry Barracks, London.
© RCAHMS

DP 009492
Riding School (Block E), Hyde Park Cavalry Barracks, London. Section through riding school showing position of jump posts.
© RCAHMS

DP 010852
Perspective elevation from SE, Parliament Building Extension, Wellington, New Zealand.
© RCAHMS

DP 010853
London, Tea Centre, ICI Chemical Research Exhibition, Chemistry At Your Service. Presentation perspective showing ICI exhibition stand.
© RCAHMS

DP 010877
Scottish Industries Exhibition. Presentation perspective showing Wylie and Lochead exhibition stand.
© RCAHMS

DP 010911
Scottish Industries Exhibition. Presentation perspective showing Council of Industrial Design exhibition stand.
© RCAHMS

SC 1029628
View of Chapel of Christ in Gethsemene Crown of Thorns doorway prior to installation.
© RCAHMS

DP 011814
Perspectives and site plans of St Oswald's Church, Church of St John the Divine and St Chad's Church, Coventry.
© RCAHMS

DP 011835
Student material. Esquisse for 'a national institute of architecture'. Aerial perspective made during Basil Spence's Rowand Anderson Studentship.
© RCAHMS

DP 011875
Student material. Details showing design for console 'based upon the general form of the console from the door of the Erechtheion but having the character of the ornament on the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates'.
© RCAHMS

DP 011882
Student material. Esquisse for 'a national institute of architecture'. Details showing internal treatment of halls made during Basil Spence's Rowand Anderson Studentship.
© RCAHMS

DP 011883
Student material. Esquisse for 'a national institute of architecture'. Details of main entrances and fountain made during Basil Spence's Rowand Anderson Studentship.
© RCAHMS

DP 011887
Probably student material. Unidentified project. Interior perspective of sitting room.
© RCAHMS

DP 011890
Student material. Esquisse for 'an entrance to a great shipping company'. Interior perspective.
© RCAHMS

DP 011899
Student material. Esquisse for 'an entrance to a great shipping company'. Sketch plan and interior elevation.
© RCAHMS

SC 1030799
Interior view of the lift and spiral stair in the entrance hall of Scottish Widows, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
© RCAHMS

SC 1030927
Festival of Britain, Exhibition of Industrial Power, Hall of Power. Clay model of coal cliff sculptural mural.
© RCAHMS

DP 012217
Axonometric section showing interior treatment of ICI pavilion, Empire Exhibition, Glasgow.
© RCAHMS

DP 012247
Enterprise Scotland Exhibition, Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. Presentation perspective of Commodities Hall.
© RCAHMS

DP 012256
Festival of Britain, Exhibition of Industrial Power. Presentation perspective of Hall of Coal.
© RCAHMS

DP 012295
Coventry Cathedral competition. Lower ground floor plan, section and N elevation of cathedral. Floor plans and sections of Christian service centre.
© RCAHMS

DP 012296
London, Olympia, 1948 British Industries Fair. Presentation perspective of ICI exhibition stand.
© RCAHMS

DP 012299
Festival of Britain, Exhibition of Industrial Power. Hall of the Future, atomic mural, figure study.
© RCAHMS

DP 012308
Festival of Britain, Exhibition of Industrial Power. Hall of the Future, atomic mural, unexecuted scheme.
© RCAHMS

DP 012416
Sketch perspective of Scottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance, Edinburgh. View from South St David's Street.
© RCAHMS

DP 014765
Plans and sketch elevation of early scheme for Meeting House, University of Sussex.
© RCAHMS

DP 016900
Student material. Various buildings including England, Cambridgeshire, Ely, Bishop's Palace and Ely Cathedral; Cumbria, Carlisle, Burtholme, Lanercost Priory; East Cambridgeshire, Downham, Bishops Palace; East Northamptonshire, Lowick, Church of Saint Peter; Northamptonshire, Corby, Gretton, Kirby Hall; Northumberland, Tynedale, Hexham, Hexham Priory; North Yorkshire, Harrogate, Lindrick with Studley Royal and Fountains, Fountains Abbey; and North Yorkshire, York, York Minster. Study perspectives, plans, sections, elevations and details made during Basil Spence's Pugin Studentship.
© RCAHMS

DP 017873
Sketch elevations and details of proposed design for the British pavilion at Expo '67.
© RCAHMS

SC 1046624
Falmer House debating chamber, detail of acoustic brick work and Western Red Cedar octagonal roof.
© RCAHMS

SC 1047311
View of Sir Basil Spence studying the model of the British Pavilion for Expo 67.
© Crown Copyright

SC 1047315
Three Hostesses in front of the British Pavilion with Henry Moore's sculpture "The Locking Piece".
© Crown Copyright

SC 1047330
View of Sir Basil Spence inspecting the construction of the British Pavilion at Expo '67 .
© RCAHMS

SC 1047356
View of artist putting the final touches to sculptured figures in the "Britain Today" section.
© RCAHMS

DP 018861
Presentation sketch of the Hall of Coal for The Festival of Britain, Kelvin Hall, Exhibiton of Industrial Power, Sources of Power Hall.
© RCAHMS

DP 021046
Elevation of a design for a national library, Sir Basil Spence, Soane Medallion competition entry.
© RCAHMS

DP 021330
Warrant Officers' Mess (Block D), Hyde Park Cavalry Barracks. Kit layout for Senior NCO.
© RCAHMS

SC 1057775
External view of the courtyard pool with mosaic at the foot of the stairs, British Embassy, Rome.
© RCAHMS