Architectural Association members and alumni, John Lacey and Edward Playne co-founded the practice of Playne and Lacey in the late 1940s. Based at No. 80, Queen Anne’s Gate, London, the practice specialised in educational buildings, some of their major works include the Chemistry Building and the Biology Building at Birmingham University, the University Matriculation Board Buildings at Manchester University and the New Chemistry Building at Queen Mary College, London University. By the late 1960s, the practice took the name of Playne, Lacey and Vallance.