Rick Mather (May 30, 1937 – April 20, 2013)[1] was an American-born architect working in England. Born in Portland, Oregon and awarded a B.arch. at the University of Oregon in 1961, he came to London in 1963 and worked at the architectural firm Lyons Israel Ellis for two years. He became a leading figure [citation needed] at the Architectural Association in the 1970s, and in 1973 founded his own practice, Rick Mather Architects.[2]

Rick Mather
BornMay 30, 1937
DiedApril 20, 2013
Alma materUniversity of Oregon
OccupationArchitect
AwardsRoyal Institute of British Architects 2008,
RIBA 2011

Rick Mather Architects

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Mather set up his own practice, Rick Mather Architects, in 1973. The partners at Rick Mather Architects Gavin Miller and Stuart Cade have since launched a new practice MICA, which will complete the remaining RMA projects, whilst simultaneously working on its own strategic masterplans, buildings and landscapes.

Style

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Mather was widely respected for his sensitive and carefully considered approach, and his innovation in low energy design. Rick’s vision and insight, with its clear logic, and elegant articulation, is reflected in many award winning buildings, both in the UK and abroad. Characteristics of his buildings include extensive use of structural glass and natural lighting of interior spaces, respect for existing buildings, and sustainability.[3]

Work

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Mather oversaw many significant buildings, including the Ashmolean Museum, Keble College, Dulwich Picture Gallery, together with the masterplan for London’s Southbank Centre. His built projects include:

 
Dulwich Picture Gallery showing extensions
  • Extension and refurbishment of Dulwich Picture Gallery, London (1999; RIBA Award, Civic Trust Award, AIA Award).[6]
  • ISMA Centre for the University of Reading (1999; RIBA Award, Civic Trust Award)
 
In Neptune Court, National Maritime Museum.
  • Wallace Collection Centenary Project, London (2000).
  • New galleries and refurbishment for National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (1995-9; Civic Trust Award) and Masterplan for Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site landscape (1998–2003).
  • School of Architecture, University of Lincoln, Brayford campus (2003; RIBA Award, Shortlisted for the Prime Ministers Award for Better Public Buildings).
  • Lyric Theatre Hammersmith (2004).
  • Towner Gallery, Eastbourne (2005-9; RIBA Award, British Design Award, Sussex Heritage Trust Award)[7]
 
Liverpool John Moores University Art and Design Academy
  • Art and Design Academy, Liverpool John Moores University (2008; RIBA Award).
  • Ashmolean Museum Masterplan and Expansion Ashmolean, Oxford (2009; RIBA Award, Shortlisted for the Stirling Prize 2010, Building - Project of the Year Award).
  • Stowe School Masterplan (2001-2020) and Girls' Boarding Houses (2008; RIBA Award).
  • Barking Town Centre London Road Masterplan
  • Central Milton Keynes Residential Quarter
  • Corpus Christi College Auditorium, Oxford,[8] Oxford (2009; RIBA Award).
  • Sunken library extension, The Queen's College, Oxford (2006–17).
  • East Range, Mansfield College, Oxford (2014).
  • Campus wide masterplan and expansion of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts,[9] Richmond, Virginia US (2010). (RIBA Winner 2011).[10]
  • James Allen's Community Music Centre (RIBA Competition Winner 2008).
  • North Harlow Masterplan (2010-).
  • Barking Skills Centre (2009-).
  • South Kilburn residential development, Brent, London (2009-)
  • Chester Balmore residential development, Camden, London (2010-)

Further reading

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  • Amery, Colin (1987). Four London architects: Chipperfield, Mather, Parry, Stanton & Williams. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. ISBN 0-262-51043-X.
  • Maxwell, Robert; Bellew, Patrick; Macfarlane, Tim (2006). Rick Mather Architects. London: Black Dog Publishing. ISBN 1-904772-38-2.
  • Pearman, Hugh (1992). Rick Mather: Urban Approaches. London: Fourth Estate Ltd. ISBN 1-85702-007-3.

References

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  1. ^ "Rick Mather 1937-2013". Dezeen.com. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
  2. ^ "Rick Mather Architects". Retrieved 2009-06-12.
  3. ^ "Rick Mather". Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved 2009-06-12.
  4. ^ Gardner, Carl (July 1991). "Zen and the art of restaurant design". RIBA Journal. 98 (7): 40–5.
  5. ^ Baldock, Hannah (1999). "Rick Mather". Building. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  6. ^ "Cloistered life". RIBA Journal. 103 (9): 18–19. September 1996.
  7. ^ Rattenbury, Kester (April 16, 2009). "Towner Gallery, Eastbourne". Architects' Journal.
  8. ^ "practice". Rick Mather. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
  9. ^ "practice". Rick Mather. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
  10. ^ "RIBA International Award winners 2011 announced". May 19, 2011. RIBA. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2011.