Nicholas Hare Architects founder dies aged 81 (2024)

The architect set up his London-based practice in 1977 and it became known for, among other things, its arts and education work. Clients included the London Film School, the Royal Opera House and the University of Cambridge.

He retired in 2018 along with his wife Sophie Hare, also a former partner in the business, but the practice has continued under his name.

Paying tribute to him, the practice said Hare had a ‘curious and continually challenging approach to design’ and had been an ‘inspirational teacher with a passion for the practice of architecture that attracted many students to the studio’.

Born in 1942, Hare initially studied natural sciences and English at Corpus Christi, Cambridge (1959 – 1963), and worked as a sub-editor at the Times Literary Supplement before moving, with his young family, to take up his place at Liverpool School of Architecture (1966 – 1969).

His first architectural job was for Arup Associates (1969 - 1977).

Hare set up his own practice from the attic room of his house in Highbury, north London, while still teaching diploma students at the School of Architecture in Cambridge.

The practice’s first major success came in 1978 when its competition submission for a new opera house on the Place de la Bastille in Paris was one of the six finalists from 760 entries. Nicholas Hare Architects was the only British practice to be shortlisted.

Although French president François Mitterrand picked another scheme as winner, the publicity ‘put the practice on the map' and the prize money for being a finalist allowed the studio to grow and relocate.

Hare’s wife joined the firm and, according to the practice, ‘became the heart of the admin team and the centre of the Nicholas Hare Architects extended family. That culture never changed.’

The practice was later shortlisted for the redevelopment of Covent Garden but its first significant arts building to be built was the Brunei Gallery for SOAS in 1995.

According to the studio, the project’s ‘complex challenges enabled Nick to develop his personal architectural philosophy’.

A practice’s tribute said that Hare had ‘the gift of drawing out the very best of all who worked with him’.

It added: ‘Nick set out to create an inclusive culture in the practice, with teams working on each project from start to finish, resulting in architecture with a unique integrity and attention to detail. He was also insistent on properly professional service; award-winning architecture needed to be delivered on time and on budget too.

‘Nick felt that good architects could and should tackle any project. Whilst experience of a particular building type was useful, he was keen that it did not lead to complacency. He favoured a curious and continually challenging approach to design, founded upon close client consultation that led to innovative and exciting architecture.’

The practice became a limited liability partnership (LLP) in 2004 so as to make succession more straightforward.

In 2010, the studio completed a new production workshop for the Royal Opera House at Thurrock – a huge, vaulted green-roofed structure spanning ‘an enormous light-filled shed enabling the construction of fully assembled scenery’.

The success of this project led to a commission for a similar, smaller production hub for Glyndebourne, bringing together the different specialists involved in the making of an opera. Hare’s very personal relationship led to Glyndebourne being the setting for his first exhibition as an artist.

Hare left the practice six years ago ‘still brimming with ideas and enthusiasm’ to start a new career in large-scale public sculpting.

At the time of his retirement, he said: ‘We have been very fortunate in the clients, consultants and builders that we have worked with over the years and I think we can take some pride in what we have achieved together.

‘I’ve very much enjoyed working in a partnership. The nice thing about our job is making buildings you hope people are pleased with, but it is also about working with all sorts of different people making different projects. What we will miss is the people.'

Hare is survived by his wife, his five children and his 12 grandchildren.

Selected projects

1983 Opera Bastille, Paris competition
1995 Brunei Gallery, SOAS, University of London
1995 Robert Beldam Building, Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge
1995 Charities Aid Foundation HQ, Kings Hill, Kent
1996 Kempe Centre, Wye College, University of London
2001 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Education Centre, London
2002 Callaghan Square, Cardiff, for MEPC
2005 Student Services Centre, University of Southampton
2005 Royal Courts of Guernsey, St Peter Port, Guernsey
2010 Royal College of Surgeons Education Centre
2010 Royal Opera House Production Workshop, Thurrock
2011 Crown Woods College (BSF school)
2013 St Paul’s School Science Building, London
2017 University Centre, Farnborough College of Technology
2019 Glyndebourne Production Hub, Lewes