pritzker prize successful architect richard rogers passes away at 88
richard rogers, an icon of contemporary architecture
richard rogers, the british architect behind projects such as the pompidou centre in paris and the millennium dome in london, has died at the age of 88. his passing was confirmed last saturday evening, at his home in london.
knighted in 1991 by queen elizabeth II, rogers was considered one of the most influential architects of his time. he was the recipient of the RIBA gold medal in 1985 and in 2000 received the praemium imperiale prize for architecture. in 2007, he was awarded the pritzker prize, acknowledged to be the profession’s highest honor, cementing his status as one of the world’s most respected and admired figures in contemporary architecture.
image © rogers stirk harbou + partners
rogers was born in 1933 in florence, before moving to the UK and completing his studies at the architectural association school of architecture (AA), and later on his master’s at yale university. he then began his career by setting up a small practice with norman foster. after this collaboration came to an end, rogers completed one of his first major projects — a residence for his parents in wimbledon, south london. then, after joining forces with italian architect renzo piano, rogers won the design competition for the pompidou centre in 1971. after working with piano, rogers established the richard rogers partnership in 1977, the firm that would later became rogers stirk harbour + partners (RHSP).
rogers with graham stirk, and ivan harbour | image © ben blossom
rogers completed london’s lloyd’s building — another of his landmark projects — in 1986 and the millennium dome, now known as the O2 arena, in 1999. RSHP also completed tower 3 of the world trade center in new york. in 2020, rogers announced that he will retire from RSHP, almost 40 years after its founding.