Birkin Haward 1912 –2002
Unknown Paintings of an Ipswich Architect

2 May - 13 June

Architect, draughtsman, painter, photographer and antiquarian, Birkin Haward was a man of many parts and many interests.

He was born in Ipswich where he lived and practiced as an architect for most of his life. Many of his buildings still make a significant contribution to the townscape and countryside. For example the Fisons Offices, Ipswich 1957,Guardian Royal Offices Exchange, Ipswich 1973 and a number of schools around Ipswich including; Rushmere 1952, Sprites Lane and Castle Hill 1956.

This exhibition, the first in Haward ’s hometown, was devoted to his paintings of stimulating and original output over six decades. A fine draughtsman, painting and sketching were a form of serious relaxation and free of the constraints of running a busy practice. The result was that, in this area, he was a surprising experimenter, absorbing a wide range of influences and trying out different media.

This much anticipated exhibition brought together a body of work carried out over a period of six decades. One unexpected result of seeing all the work together was to realise the extent to which he explored the same subject at regular intervals – subjecting them to a variety of techniques and approaches – making it an exhibition that appealed to both the local and the visitor alike.

Birkin Haward attended Bracondale School in Norwich before being articled at Cautley and Barefoot Architects in Ipswich and then at the Bartlett School of Architecture, London, until he qualified in 1934. After war service with the Royal Engineers in the 1940’s, he joined Johns and Slater, Architects, Ipswich, where he became a partner in 1950, in 1962 becoming head of the firm, until his retirement in 1982, undertaking over 2,000 commissions. As a life long socialist, he was keen to work in the public sector, particularly education. During his ‘retirement’ he focused on various research projects, relating mainly to churches and their stained glass. He created over 250 measured and drawn church plans, interiors and details for his ‘Suffolk Medieval Church Arcades’ book published in 1993.