Denise Chevin, former editor, Building, remembers Martin
Those of us who worked and knew Martin Spring have been shocked and saddened to hear of his passing aged 70.
Martin was a much loved journalist with his own unique style which won him 14 IBP awards over his 33-year career as Building’s architectural editor. But above all, he was a gentle and humble man, possessed of a remarkably cheerful and sunny outlook on life, who lived and breathed his subject and imparted that enthusiasm to many others.
His architectural tours on Building days out, with their carefully selected pub stops along the way, were legendary – the intelligence and deep knowledge conveyed in his commentaries opening many colleagues’ eyes to unexpected facets of the subject.
And he was always happy to help and guide. Former Building colleague Jo Smit recalls the assistance he gave her when she began there: “Martin was a tremendous help, and gave me a much deeper understanding of what ‘good’ means in architecture.”
For myself, I remember being more than a little in awe of him when I joined Building as a novice technical writer. His wit and elegance of phrase and the thoroughness with which he tackled every writing assignment left a deep impression on me, as did his patient willingness to explain and educate- particularly over a few drinks at the local Docklands watering hole where the magazine was based at the time.
Says former colleague Graham Ridout: “Martin was as passionate about putting into words his love of building and architecture as he was about sharing thoughts and knowledge with others, especially those who were new to journalism or who were covering the subject for the first time. His encyclopaedic knowledge and the way he
explained things in that gentle, kind and helpful way was an inspiration to numerous colleagues, many of whom went on to be outstanding journalists.
“Martin was a true gentleman in both senses of the word and his passing is a sad loss to everyone who knew him or who was inspired by him."
Mark Leftly, another former colleague, also recalls his kindness to young, aspiring journalists. “He was exceptionally kind to me when I started out at Building, despite our age gap of 33 years. He pointed out what I was doing right, without prompting, at a time I was unsure of my work. My family got to know him too and will miss him just as dearly as we all will.”
In terms of his approach to architectural reviews, Thomas Lane, writing his obituary in Building, puts it well: “His rounded approach ensured his articles had something for everyone whether architect, contractor or cost consultant. He was always complimentary about the schemes he wrote about and was very supportive of emerging architects, sticking by these firms for many years
“His writing was rooted in the practical belief that architecture was principally about how well a building performed for occupiers, energy efficiency, procurement (including delivering on time and to budget), with style some way down the list. He wasn’t interested in chasing down the latest starchitect-designed triumph of style over substance; instead he preferred quiet considered buildings by the likes of Bennetts Associates, Cullinan Studio and Fielden Clegg Bradley.
“He was a great advocate of sustainability long before it became a mainstream concern and was also passionate about housing design. One of his specialities was the revisit, where he went back to a previously featured building some years later to see what occupiers
thought of it, how it was holding up and how much energy it was using.”
Eleanor Young, RIBA Journal deputy editor agrees: ‘Martin operated in the journalistic crossover between construction and architecture but for those in architecture it was always clear where his preference lay, in the end result and how the designs got realised.”
Martin’s approach to architecture earned him an honorary RIBA Fellowship in 2003 and his ability to adopt a holistic approach to writing about buildings won him IBP awards not just in the architectural category but for the housing and construction categories too.
IBP Awards Night features large in the recollections of many of Martin’s colleagues. Says former editor Peter Bill: “I can see us all now, sat on the Building table at the IBP awards feeling anxious - except for Martin, who was always relaxed. The winners would be announced, and there would be fixed smiles and reluctant applause if anyone on a rival title won anything. Except from Martin, whose smile and applause was genuine.
“And rivals would share in that pleasure when Martin won – as he did with such regularity that it was almost taken for granted he would add to Building’s tally each year. Why? Because he was the best writer of his generation at providing an understanding of merits of architecture to sceptical readers of Building.”
Martin was certainly thorough, in everything he did – too thorough at times, with the consequence that some projects took an age – like refurbishing his own house in Highbury, where he happily lived without cupboard doors for years.
I remember him too for his mischievous sense of fun, as well as his other worldliness. He was never a conformist. He’d often regale us with stories of his time as squatter in Covent Garden in the 1960s. And there was his determination to travel everywhere on his beloved bike (even after one too many refreshments). His acerbic one-liners at the Christmas party also come quickly to mind, as does his cardinal sin of wearing double denim. He never took himself too seriously, and remained resolutely young at heart. He will be very sorely missed by his many friends and family.
