Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, the renowned architect behind the Eden Project, has died at the age of 85. The news was announced on Monday afternoon by Grimshaw, the architectural firm he founded in 1980.
Sir Nicholas gained international recognition for designing the Eden Project, an ecological centre in Cornwall featuring distinctive bubble-like structures that have become a popular visitor attraction. His innovative approach combined structural engineering with environmental sustainability.
Landmark architectural achievements
The architect also created the British Pavilion for the Seville Expo 1992 and the glass-and-steel International Terminal at Waterloo in London. The Waterloo terminal won The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Building of the Year Award in 1994.
According to his firm, these designs were "turning points for the practice as well as the profession of architecture - merging the distinction between architecture and structure with sustainable, climate-responsive design". The statement described Grimshaw as having "an extraordinary ability to convince others that daring ideas were possible".
Recognition and legacy
Sir Nicholas was knighted in 2002 for services to architecture and served as president of the Royal Academy from 2004 to 2011. In 2019, he received the Royal Gold Medal for architecture, personally approved by Queen Elizabeth II.
He established the Grimshaw Foundation in 2022, which aims to promote innovative design, creativity and sustainability among young people. The firm noted that he "kick-started what became a 40-year exploration of sustainability" when he founded the practice.
Personal tributes
Andrew Whalley, chairman at Grimshaw, paid tribute to his mentor's leadership style. "From the very first day I arrived at the practice in 1986, I felt the warmth and generosity of Nick's leadership. The lack of hierarchy in the studio, shaped by his amiable and open personality, was its true strength," he said.
Whalley emphasised that Sir Nicholas's "architecture was never about surface or fashion, but always about structure, craft, and purpose - about creating buildings that endure because they are both useful and uplifting and, in Nick's words, 'bring some kind of joy'".
Sir Nicholas is survived by his wife, Lady Lavinia, and daughters Chloe and Isabel. The firm noted that his family "were all very much part of his professional life".
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
