Birkin Haward

Birkin Haward OBE (7 or 16 October 1912 – 9 February 2002) was a British Modernist architect, antiquarian, author and artist, described as "one of the foremost post-war regional architects" by Historic England. In his early architectural career, he worked at the practice of Erich Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff in London, where he collaborated on two important Modernist buildings, 64 Old Church Street, Chelsea, and the De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea.

After the Second World War, Haward's work focused in the east of England, from a base in his home town of Ipswich (1946–82). He became particularly known for his Modernist designs for schools, several of which have been recognised as listed buildings: primary schools at Rushmere (1947–49) and on Sprites Lane (1956), as well as the library at Ipswich School (1980–82). His other listed buildings are the Castle Hill Congregational Church (1955–56) and his home, The Spinney (1960), both in Ipswich. During the post-war period he also designed housing projects, hospital buildings, sports halls, and commercial and industrial buildings.

After his retirement in 1982, Haward published books on Victorian ecclesiastical stained glass and medieval church architecture. He was an amateur artist, and some of his works have been exhibited after his death.