Cooper Hewitt says...
Wells Wintermute Coates (1895—1958) was a Canadian architect and industrial designer who was active in Great Britain. Born in Japan to Canadian missionaries (his mother had a deep interest in architecture and studied with Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright in Chicago), he studied engineering at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver from 1919—21 and then continued studying engineering at the University of London until 1924.
Coates began his career designing for interiors including retail interiors for Cresta and others. He was most active during the 1930s and was one of London’s leading figures in modern architecture and design. In 1931, he became a consultant for Jack Pritchard’s Isokon, a firm who designed functionalist buildings and plywood furniture. One of his earliest architectural commissions—greatly influenced by Le Corbusier— was the 1931—32 Lawn Road flats in Hampstead for Pritchard himself. Coates was an active member of the Twentieth Century Group, Unite One, and in 1933, was one of the founding members of MARS (Modern Architecture Research Group). Beginning in 1932, Coates designed radios for EKCO, after winning the company’s design competition: Coates’ prized design was the circular AD 65, the success of which was attributed to its harmonious fusion of functionality, low production costs, and aesthetic appeal. It was produced in 1934 and became one of the most popular radios in Britain. Other successful designs for EKCO were “Radiotime” in 1946 and the portable “Princess-Handbag” of 1948. He designed steel furniture for Isokon, Hilmor, P.E. Gane, and private clients. In 1935 he designed the studios and control rooms for the BBC studios. In 1938 he was elected fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects and in 1944 as the “Royal Designer for Industry”. After WWII, his career slowed down and in 1951 he participated in London’s “Festival of Britain”.
Coates’ career coincided with the English Modern Movement and his designs, both as an architect and designer, echo this. His contribution to architecture and industrial design reflect his passion for engineering and technology, while demonstrating his versatility.
