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Coventry Cathedral's Modernist Design Journey Unveiled
5 Aug
Summary
- Exhibition showcases 1951 design competition entries for new Coventry Cathedral.
- Original 14th-century cathedral destroyed in 1940 Coventry blitz.
- Competition marked a turning point for British church architecture.
An exhibition titled "Towards a New Cathedral" is set to open this Saturday, offering a look into the architectural competition that shaped Coventry's modern cathedral. This event follows the destruction of the original 14th-century St Michael's Cathedral during the Coventry blitz in 1940.
The exhibition will display entries from the 1951 design competition, which was won by Scottish architect Basil Spence. Many of these submissions, ranging from traditional to modernist styles, have remained unseen since the judging. Over 200 architects worldwide participated in this pivotal competition.
Curated by PhD candidate Harry Foley, the exhibition positions the competition as a watershed moment for British architecture. It signifies a victory for modernism, paving the way for later designs that would define British church architecture in the late 1950s and 1960s. Notable runners-up include architects who later became influential.
