Sir Terry Farrell, the celebrated British architect known for designing some of London's most distinctive postmodern buildings including the MI6 headquarters and TV-am studios, has died at the age of 87. His London-based firm Farrells announced his passing yesterday morning, marking the end of a remarkable career that spanned over five decades and helped reshape Britain's architectural landscape.

"It is with deep sadness that, on behalf of his family, the partners and practice of Farrells acknowledge the death of our founder, Sir Terry Farrell," the studio wrote in an Instagram statement. The announcement described Farrell as someone who was "frequently called a maverick and a non-conformist, which he relished," adding that "he was an architect who was never quite part of the 'club'."

Farrell's death comes just weeks after the passing of his long-term collaborator Nicholas Grimshaw, who died earlier this month at age 85. The two architects worked together during the 1960s and 1970s in what became known as the Farrell/Grimshaw Partnership, creating some of Britain's most innovative high-tech buildings during that era.

Born in Cheshire in 1938, Farrell's journey to architectural prominence began when he graduated with a degree in architecture from Newcastle University School in 1961. He then pursued advanced studies at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he obtained a master's degree in Urban Planning, an experience that would later influence his approach to large-scale urban design projects.

In 1965, Farrell moved to London and formed his celebrated partnership with Grimshaw. The duo shared a studio with Archigram, the experimental British architecture collective, during an exciting period of architectural innovation. Together, they created the iconic high-tech Herman Miller Factory in Bath and the 125 Park Road residential building in London, projects that established their reputation for pushing architectural boundaries.

After parting ways with Grimshaw in 1980, Farrell established his own firm, Terry Farrell & Partners, which is known today as Farrells. Under his leadership, the studio produced some of the most recognizable buildings in Britain and beyond. Among his most notable projects is the ziggurat-shaped MI6 headquarters building in Vauxhall, which has become an iconic part of London's skyline and has appeared in numerous films.

Farrell's international reach is perhaps best exemplified by his 441-meter-tall KK100 skyscraper in Shenzhen, China, which holds the distinction of being the tallest building designed by a British architect. This achievement demonstrates his ability to work at a global scale while maintaining his distinctive design approach.

Other significant projects in his portfolio include the colorful TV-am studios (also known as the Breakfast Television Centre) in Camden Town, which became a symbol of 1980s postmodern architecture with its playful design elements. He also undertook major infrastructure projects such as the redesign of Charing Cross Station and the redevelopment of the Comyn Ching Triangle city block in Covent Garden, showcasing his versatility in both commercial and public architecture.

Beyond the United Kingdom, Farrell's influence extended across Asia, where his studio designed Beijing South railway station and the Ground Transportation Centre at Incheon International Airport in Seoul. These projects demonstrated his expertise in large-scale transportation hubs and urban infrastructure, areas where his urban planning background proved invaluable.

One of Farrell's most recent and personally meaningful endeavors was establishing the Farrell Centre gallery and community space in Newcastle. For this project, he donated his entire architectural archive along with £1 million toward the construction. The center, directed by Dezeen columnist and architectural writer Owen Hopkins, aims to encourage discourse on architecture and planning both locally in Newcastle and on a global scale.

Throughout his career, Farrell balanced his architectural practice with teaching, sharing his knowledge at prestigious institutions around the world. He taught at the University of Pennsylvania, Cambridge University, and the University of London, helping to shape the next generation of architects and urban planners.

Farrell's contributions to British architecture and urban design were formally recognized through numerous honors. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1978, before being promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1996. The pinnacle of these honors came in 2001 when he was knighted for his services to architecture and urban design, becoming Sir Terry Farrell.

His studio's statement emphasized his lasting impact on urban planning and government policy: "He will be remembered as the UK's leading architect planner whose enduring commitment to urbanism has helped shape government policy on key built environment issues." This legacy extends beyond individual buildings to encompass his influence on how cities are planned and developed, reflecting his belief in architecture's power to improve urban life.

Sir Terry Farrell's death marks the end of an era in British architecture, closing the chapter on a career that consistently challenged conventional thinking and produced buildings that remain landmarks today. His reputation as a "maverick and non-conformist" architect who was "never quite part of the 'club'" ultimately became his greatest strength, allowing him to create distinctive designs that continue to define skylines and inspire architects worldwide.