On 4th July the Library and Archives will be holding a reception to mark the publication of ‘A Life in Education and Architecture: Mary Beaumont Medd’ by Dr Catherine Burke.  Drawing on the archive of David and Mary Medd, held here at the IOE, the book
provides a detailed exploration of the relationships between individual architects, educators, artists and designers that laid the foundation and shaped the approach to designing new school buildings in post-war Britain.

It explores the life and work of Mary Medd (née Crowley 1907-2005) who was, alongside her husband and professional partner David Medd, one of the most important modernist architects of the 20th century. She devoted the major part of her career to the design of school buildings and was pioneering in this respect, drawing much inspiration from Scandinavian architecture, arts and design.

‘A Life in Education and Architecture: Mary Beaumont Medd’ by Dr C Burke

More than a biography, the book draws attention to the significance of relationships and networks of friendships built up over these years among individuals with a common view of the child in educational settings.

The event will be held in the Library Teaching Room from 4pm-6pm. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Rebecca Webster at rebecca.webster@ioe.ac.uk or 020 7612 6983.

Reviews of the book:

“Burke’s book offers everything from an education and practice manifesto to a compelling romance. The narrative overlays within the text capture valuable insights into the infrastructure of key design projects, including clients, creative collaborators and educators working towards a common enterprise.” The Times Higher Education Supplement (Harriet Harriss)

“Michael Gove should stop reinventing the wheel and get a history lesson on architecture and education by reading Catherine Burke’s newly published book on Mary Medd, née Crowley. In A Life in Education and Architecture, Gove will learn about the remarkable work of a socially committed Quaker family who were at the forefront of the reformation of child welfare and school building design.” Yasmin Shariff, The Architects’ Journal