Alison (Sheffield 22.6.1928-1993) and Peter (Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, 18.9.1923) Smithson were leading figures in the international architecture and urban planning scene of the 1950s and 1960s, as well as being promoters of an intellectual approach that was pragmatic, anti-rhetorical and experimental, as exemplified in their work with Team X. They married in 1949 and opened a studio together in London. > NEXT

Biography Peter born in Stockton-on-Tees, Durham.   1923   Alison born in Sheffield.   1928   Peter and Alison met at the University of Durham.   1939-48   Peter moved to London to study at the Royal Academy.   1948-49   they got married and opened a studio in London.   1949   worked with Ronald Jenkins.   1951   joined the Independent Group of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London.   1952   first exhibition, entitled Parallel of Life and Art. They became official members of the Mars Group at the XI congress of the CIAM in Aix-en-Provence, together with William Howell and John Voelcker.   1953   joined Team 10, responsible for proposals for the preparation of the X CIAM congress.   1954     1955-60   worked on the exhibition This is Tomorrow at the Whitechapel Gallery.   1956   their book Team 10 Primer, edited by Alison Gill, is published.   1968   Peter taught at the University of Bath   1976-94