“Maverick” architect Terry Farrell dies aged 87

Sir Terry Farrell, one of the UK’s most influential architects, has died aged 87. Known for his exuberant postmodern style and reputation as a “maverick and non-conformist,” he designed some of Britain’s most recognisable late 20th-century buildings.

Farrell first rose to prominence with the colourful TV-am headquarters in Camden, opened in 1982, before delivering his most famous commission – the MI6 headquarters beside Vauxhall Bridge in London. Completed in 1994, the building’s green glass and stone façade, part-1930s factory and part-temple, became a backdrop in several James Bond films.

After an early career in partnership with Nicholas Grimshaw, Farrell went on to establish his own practice in 1980. His portfolio combined playful postmodern flourishes with major regeneration schemes, including Embankment Place above Charing Cross station, the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Hull’s Deep aquarium, and the Centre for Life in Newcastle.

Internationally, Farrell expanded into Asia, with landmark projects such as the Peak Tower in Hong Kong, Beijing South and Guangzhou South railway stations, and the KK100 tower in Shenzhen – the tallest building designed by a British architect.

Farrell’s practice was also noted for its urban design and masterplanning, influencing regeneration schemes at Paddington Basin, Greenwich Peninsula and Newcastle Quayside. In 2014, he authored the government-commissioned Farrell Review of Architecture and the Built Environment, cementing his reputation as a leading voice in shaping UK urban policy.

Knighted in 2001, Farrell continued to advocate for innovation and environmental awareness in design, funding the Farrell Centre in Newcastle, which opened in 2023 as a hub for debate on sustainable futures.

He is remembered for pushing architecture beyond convention, combining concrete, steel and glass with playful references to history, and reshaping the skylines of both the UK and Asia.

Five Key Farrell Projects

• MI6 Headquarters, London (1994): Postmodern landmark blending concrete and glass, instantly recognisable from James Bond films.
• TV-am Building, Camden (1982): Colourful conversion of a warehouse with playful postmodern details.
• Edinburgh International Conference Centre (1995): Major civic project using concrete engineering to deliver flexible spaces.
• The Deep, Hull (2002): Striking aquarium resembling a ship’s prow, built on a complex riverside site.
• KK100 Tower, Shenzhen (2011): At 441 m, the tallest building designed by a British architect, combining high-rise concrete and steel innovation.