DesignIntelligence Remembers

Richard Rogers

Richard Rogers was far more than an architect, though he certainly was that. He viewed his work as reflecting the times in which it was made, and to do that required a full appreciation of all aspects of life. He was lucky to be born in Florence to a mother who was a potter and a father who was a physician, and so grew up deeply influenced by the twin spheres of art and science. That duality infused his work. He loved design for what it was able to express, and he had a deep and abiding respect for like-minded souls, which is why he appreciated the power of true teamwork. His first major project, the Pompidou Center, was born of a collaboration with Renzo Piano and Ove Arup. It is the architectural equivalent of a dissected frog, with its innards on full display, and it became the catalyst that revitalized a formerly run-down neighborhood in Paris. Like the Eiffel Tower, it shocked many at first, but it lifted the city’s spirits and set a new standard for how museums could engage with civic life, eventually becoming a beloved landmark in its own right. Despite being one of the leading architects of his time, he escaped the disease of an outsized ego. He was a true gentleman and a wonderful friend and mentor to many. His work is a grand lesson to all who appreciate the power of design to improve the way we live.

--Scott Simpson