The visionary architect behind some of the world’s favourite landmarks – and some of its most expensive housing – has died aged 88. Our critic assesses his impact
He may have hung up his pencil in 2020, but Richard Rogers was never the retiring type. The architect made his name with buildings that exploded their inner workings on to their outsides, dressing galleries and offices with rainbow symphonies of ducts and pipes. He became known for an equally colourful neon wardrobe, along with his love of public debate and bon viveur lifestyle.
Not that the pencil was ever Rogers’ favoured tool. He had always been, by his own admission, a terrible draughtsman, and he was dyslexic. He preferred to talk, ideally over a glass of wine and good Italian food. A tutor’s report from 1958 concluded: “His designs will continue to suffer while his drawing is so bad, his method of work so chaotic and his critical judgment so inarticulate.” Yet in his four decades in practice, and as an advisor to government, Lord Rogers of Riverside probably influenced the face of urban Britain more than any other architect of the late 20th century.