Exhibition celebrates architect

In pictures: Sir Basil Spence

An exhibition celebrating the work of architect Sir Basil Spence has opened on the centenary of his birth

Although born in India, he was educated in Edinburgh and his family recently gifted an archive of more than 40,000 items to the city.

The Back to the Future exhibition at Edinburgh's Dean Gallery features drawings, photographs and models.

He designed the original Glasgow Airport and the infamous tower blocks in the Gorbals - which were demolished.

The exhibition includes more than 200 works and spans his career, from his early student and exhibition designs to major projects.

His designs for the Glasgow Empire exhibition established his reputation.

'Gifted communicator'

In 1951, he won the design competition for the new Coventry Cathedral built alongside the bombed remains of the original medieval building.

Commissions included the Household Cavalry Barracks in London, the extension of the New Zealand Parliament in Wellington and the British Embassy in Rome.

A spokeswoman for the National Galleries of Scotland said: "Spence was for many years, a household name; a gifted communicator who popularised the subject of architecture to the post-war 'brave new world'.

"He was also a passionate advocate of his profession who ... went to great lengths in promoting architects and their work to the general public.

"With the benefit of hindsight we are able to revisit his work and judge for ourselves."

The exhibition runs until 10 February at the Dean Gallery at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.