Sir Hugh Casson

(1910-1999)

Sir Hugh Casson was a British architect, designer, and writer whose work played a central role in shaping post-war British architecture and design culture. Educated at St John’s College, Cambridge, and the Architectural Association in London, Casson developed a career that combined architectural practice with public service, teaching, and writing. Casson is best known for his involvement in the Festival of Britain in 1951, where he served as Director of Architecture. The festival became a defining moment in post-war British design, promoting a modern, humane vision of architecture that balanced innovation with accessibility. His own architectural work included civic buildings, interiors, and exhibition design, often characterised by clarity, elegance, and an attention to how people experience space. Alongside architecture, Casson was deeply engaged with drawing and print. He produced lithographs and graphic work that reflect the same qualities found in his buildings: economy of line, structural understanding, and a refined visual sensibility. He worked with the Curwen Press, where his drawings were translated into print, situating him within the studio’s long history of collaboration with architects and designers. Casson was knighted in 1952 and later served as President of the Royal Academy. His influence extended beyond his own work through his advocacy for architecture, design education, and the visual arts in public life.