(Alfred) Richard Twentyman (1903–1979) was an English architect based in Wolverhampton; chiefly known for modernist buildings around the English midlands.

Richard Twentyman
Born1903 (1903)
Died13 December 1979(1979-12-13) (aged 75–76)
NationalityEnglish
Other namesAlfred
Alma materCambridge University
OccupationArchitect

Life

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Twentyman was born in 1903 in Bilbrook, Staffordshire. He was educated at Cambridge University where he studied engineering and then architecture at the Architectural Association in London. In 1933 he joined H. E. Lavender in Wolverhampton[1] and formed Lavender and Twentyman.

He served with the Royal Engineers during World War II.[1]

Twentyman was awarded the RIBA bronze medal in 1953 and received a Civic Trust Award in 1970.[1]

He was an accomplished watercolourist and painter in oils, holding an exhibition of his works at a London gallery in 1978.[1] An oil painting by him, Pigeon Loft, Sedgley, is held by Wolverhampton Art Gallery.[2] The gallery held an exhibition of his paintings and drawings after his death.[3]

Twentyman died on 13 December 1979 aged 76.[1]

Nikolaus Pevsner praised his work at Rubery and Redditch. St Chad's Church, Rubery is described as being a fine Modernist example, and his crematorium at Redditch as a model example for that class of building.[4]

Works

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St Nicholas’ Church, Radford, Coventry 1957
 
St Chad's Church, Rubery 1960

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Obituary". Journal of the Royal Institute of British Architects: 29. April 1980.
  2. ^ 1 artwork by or after Richard Twentyman at the Art UK site
  3. ^ "Twentyman's Churches". History Website. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  4. ^ Pevsner, Nikolaus (2007). The Buildings of England. Worcestershire. Yale University Press. p. 90. ISBN 9780300112986.
  5. ^ Historic England. "Church of All Saints, Darlaston (Grade II) (1431982)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  6. ^ Historic England. "Church of Emmanuel, Bentley and church hall (Grade II) (1432183)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2016.