Hugh Casson 1910 — 1999

Architectural Review, The, Oct, 1999 by Peter Davey

Hugh Casson was one of the smallest and nicest architects you could hope to meet. Like some sort of genial goblin, he brought magic to every party, fun to even the most stolid meetings.

For many years, he was on the editorial board of this magazine, and we inherit many of his passions: for instance our stress on interiors, in which Casson excelled, and on which he published a most perceptive book Inscape. Casson's sprightly energy and vision caused him to be made Director of Architecture of The Festival of Britain at 38. The huge exhibition on the South Bank of the Thames (below) was a celebration of victory and modernity, of peace and pleasure after hardship and danger. The Festival was Casson's greatest achievement, making in three dimensions the modern picturesque approach which had until then appeared only on the pages of the AR.

Later, he was knighted, Provost of the Royal College of Art, President of the Royal Academy, and often a companion of royalty, at a time when that was not embarrassing. He taught Prince Charles to paint in watercolours, and there is a bathroom in Windsor Castle where the walls are covered with Casson's sketches, often from the end of his letters. But he did not just scribble a drawing at the end of every epistle to the Windsors, everyone got a quick line or two. I treasure the few I was happy enough to receive.

As an architect, he was not outstanding. He was really too kind and gentle to have that ruthless streak which even the nicest architects have to have to make outstandingly memorable works. The Festival buildings were mostly designed by others.

Meeting him was entrancing. You felt better staight away, and you were made to think creatively by the endless paradoxes that poured from his lips. You could not help but be happy in his company.