High-tech architect Nicholas Grimshaw dies aged 85

Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, one of the UK’s most influential high-tech architects, has died at the age of 85.

Grimshaw was best known for projects including the Eden Project in Cornwall, the International Terminal at London Waterloo, and the Financial Times printworks in east London. His work combined glass, steel and concrete in bold structural forms that exemplified the high-tech style and influenced a generation of architects and engineers.

Throughout his career, Grimshaw’s practice pushed the use of prefabricated components and modular systems. Concrete played a central role in many of his projects, both as a structural material and as an architectural finish, demonstrating how innovative engineering and design could elevate its role in modern construction.

Tributes have highlighted his ability to fuse technical ambition with human-scale design. The Eden Project’s concrete and steel biomes became a symbol of sustainable architecture, while Waterloo International showcased how large-span concrete and steel structures could deliver both utility and drama.

Grimshaw founded his own practice in 1980, later becoming Grimshaw Architects, and served as president of the Royal Academy from 2004 to 2011. His work has left a lasting legacy on UK architecture and the construction sector.

For the concrete industry, his projects stand as a reminder of how collaboration between designers, engineers and contractors can push the boundaries of material performance and architectural expression.

Grimshaw and Concrete – Five Key Projects

• Waterloo International Terminal (1993) – sweeping concrete and steel arches created one of London’s most striking transport hubs.
• Eden Project, Cornwall (2001) – innovative use of concrete structures to anchor and support the famous biome enclosures.
• Financial Times Printworks, London (1988) – robust precast and in-situ concrete frames designed for heavy industrial use.
• International College, Brighton (1971) – early experimentation with exposed concrete and modular construction.
• Bath Spa Station (2017) – refurbishment and extension incorporating contemporary concrete detailing alongside historic fabric.