Sir Basil Spence

Born in India in 1907, Sir Basil Spence came to Edinburgh in his youth and studied at Edinburgh College of Art. Photograph: Lida Moser/The Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Design for a nightclub (student drawing). Sir Basil's career began in the 1920s with his prizewinning student work. Photograph: Sir Basil Spence Archive, courtesy of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS)

Presentation drawing for 'Britain Can Make It' exhibition, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1946. Photograph: Sir Basil Spence Archive, courtesy of RCAHMS

Preliminary sketch for Sea and Ships Pavilion at the Festival of Britain, London. Sir Basil established his reputation with dynamic designs for Glasgow Empire exhibition and Festival of Britain, as well as commissions for modern private houses. Photograph: Sir Basil Spence Archive, courtesy of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS)

Broughton Place, Tweedale, in the Scottish Borders. Photograph: RCAHMS

In 1951, Sir Basil's design was selected from 200 Commonwealth entrants for the new Coventry Cathedral, built alongside the bombed remains of the original medieval building. This photograph shows the font and baptistery window. Photograph: RCAHMS

Many prestigious commissions followed, including the Household Cavalry Barracks in London, pictured here. Photograph: RCAHMS

Canongate Housing, Edinburgh. Sir Basil was, for many years, a household name. A gifted communicator, he popularised the subject of architecture to the post-war "brave new world" generation through interviews on the radio and television, lectures and articles in the press. Photograph: RCAHMS

Hutchesontown Area C, Gorbals, Glasgow, was named by conservationists as one of Scotland's 60 key monuments of the post-war years in 1993 - the year it was demolished. Photograph: RCAHMS

Drawing of the British Pavilion at Expo '67, Montreal. During his tenure as president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, Sir Basil helped to modernise the organisation, while also promoting the profession of architecture and architects' work to the general public. Photograph: RCAHMS

View of Falmer House, University of Sussex, showing dining room, courtyard and pool. Sir Basil also designed buildings for the universities of Durham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Exeter and Southampton. Photograph: RCAHMS

Presentation drawing of the British Embassy, Rome. The exhibition includes many original drawings, designs and models, period films and Sir Basil's sketchbooks. Photograph: RCAHMS

Spence House, Beaulieu, Hampshire. Back to the Future is at the Herbert Gallery, Coventry, from June 20 to August 31 Photograph: RCAHMS