Quinlan Terry, born John Quinlan Terry on July 24, 1937, is a renowned British architect celebrated for his classical and traditional architectural designs. Born in Hampstead, London, Terry was educated at Bryanston School and then went on to study architecture at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London.Terry was a pupil of Raymond Erith, the classical architect of the mid-twentieth century, with whom he formed the partnership of Erith & Terry.
Terry's architectural style is deeply rooted in the classical tradition, drawing inspiration from the works of Palladio, Jones, and Wren, among others. His designs often feature symmetrical facades, proportioned columns, and meticulous attention to detail, embodying a timeless elegance that resonates with both the past and the present. For some Terry is the most controversial architect of his generation because he is so uncontroversial.
Throughout his career, Terry has completed numerous notable projects, ranging from private residences to public buildings. One of his most renowned works is the Richmond Riverside development in London, which seamlessly integrates classical architecture with the surrounding urban fabric. Another notable project is the Brentwood Cathedral in Essex, characterized by its striking classical design and grandeur. Many of his commissions have come from private clients or from property developers and he is serious believer in classical acrhitecture. This is likely to have been fostered by both his partnership with Erith, as well as his period as a Rome Scholar in 1968/9.
In addition to his architectural practice, Terry is also an influential educator and author. He has lectured at various institutions, including the Royal Academy of Arts and the University of Cambridge, where he has shared his expertise and passion for classical architecture with aspiring architects.
Terry's contributions to the field of architecture have been widely recognized and honored. He was awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Award for Architecture in 1979 and received a knighthood in 2015 for his services to classical architecture. He currently holds the European Prize for the Reconstruction of the City of Archives d'Architecture Moderne. His library at Downing College won the Building of the Year Award 1994. He received the Arthur Ross Award in 2002 for architecture from Classical America. He won the Best Modern Classical House 2003, awarded by the Georgian Group and in 2005 he won the Richard H Driehaus Prize for Classical Architecture.
Despite the prevailing trends towards modernism and contemporary design, Quinlan Terry remains steadfast in his commitment to classical principles, advocating for the preservation and revival of traditional architectural practices. His work serves as a testament to the enduring relevance and beauty of classical architecture in the modern world.
References:
- "Quinlan Terry: A Classical Perspective" by David Watkin (Rizzoli, 2006)
- "Classicism Is Not a Style: An Architectural Journey" by Quinlan Terry (Papadakis, 2008)
- "Quinlan Terry: The Revival of Architecture" by David Watkin (Rizzoli, 2015)
- "The Architecture of Quinlan Terry" by Clive Aslet (Aurum Press, 2012)
- RIBA Journal: "Quinlan Terry: A modern classicist" (2017) - [https://www.ribaj.com/culture/quinlan-terry-profile-tribute-architect]
- The Telegraph: "Quinlan Terry: A knight in the classic mould" (2015) - [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/architecture/11362074/Quinlan-Terry-A-knight-in-the-classic-mould.html]
Bibliography
http://www.qftarchitects.net/1... (accessed 18/11/2007)
http://observer.guardian.co.uk... (accessed 18/11/2007)