Rodney Gordon

Rodney Gordon (1933-2008) was a British architect. He was the primary architect of the Tricorn centre, Portsmouth. Architecturally, his works were primarily in concrete; he was said to be a Brutalist and his buildings were said to be "dramatic, sculptural and enormous" as well as "futuristic".Croft, Catherine (2008-09-10). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2008/sep/10/architecture "Obituary: Rodney Gordon".] "The Guardian".]

Biography

He was born on February 2, 1933 in Wanstead, east London to a Polish-Russian father and a Chilean mother.

Career

He went to University College Hospital Medical School at the age of 16 but then, two years later inspired by the Festival of Britain, he switched to the Hammersmith School of Building where he studied under Arthur Korn who encouraged him to apply to the Architectural Association School of Architecture from which he graduated in 1957. After graduation from the AA he went to work at the London County Council architects department for which he designed his first great work, the Michael Faraday Memorial at Elephant and Castle. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article4534019.ece "Rodney Gordon: brutalist architect who worked with Owen Luder".] "The Times".] In 1959 he was introduced to Owen Luder by a colleague from the LCC and by the end of the year he was working for him in the "Owen Luder Partnership" for which he designed the Eros House. In the 1970's he founded "Batir International Architects", which later became "Tripos Architects", with Ray Baum and Larry Abbot. It was during this time, at the age of 42, that he suffered a heart attack from overwork. In 1979 he designed his last great work for Batir, a bronze- and aluminum-clad commercial complex on St James's Street, London.

During his lifetime he was twice president of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Personal life

He was married an had one child but was later divorced. He was a passionate skier and founded the "Uphill Ski Club" which helps teach the physically handicapped to ski. He once considered standing for Parliament but was unable to decide which political party to represent. Although he was a brilliant architect he was a poor businessman and self-publicist.

He died on May 30, 2008 at the age of 75.

References