British architect Colin Fournier, a founding member of the architecture studio Archigram who worked on the Kunsthaus Graz in Austria, has died aged 79.
Fournier passed away in Paris on 4 September. He co-founded the avante-garde architectural group Archigram with Peter Cook in the 1960s, known for its radical and experimental proposals including a miniature capsule home and a city-airship hybrid.
Fournier also worked with Cook on the Austrian art gallery Kunsthaus Graz, which opened in 2003.
He was an emeritus professor at the University College London’s Bartlett School of Architecture, where he was the director of the MArch in Urban Design.
“He was celebrated for his commitment to challenging conventional architectural norms and pushing the boundaries of what buildings could be, notably with his acclaimed work, the Kunsthaus Graz,” said The Bartlett.
“The award-winning art gallery is a striking example of his creative vision. Its biomorphic form and innovative facade became a landmark of contemporary architecture, embodying his belief that buildings should be playful, provocative and responsive to their surroundings.”
“In addition to his architectural practice, Colin was a dedicated and well-loved educator,” the school continued. “Colin inspired countless students and colleagues throughout his life, and his absence will be felt profoundly by all who were fortunate enough to know him.”
Fournier studied at the Architectural Association in London. He joined The Bartlett in 1998 and was also a visiting professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
He worked as planning director at Ralph M Parsons Company in California, where he designed a number of projects in the Middle East, including the new town of Yanbu in Saudi Arabia.
The architect collaborated with Bernard Tschumi on Parc de la Villette in Paris and worked on the Centipede Cinema in Guimarães, Portugal.
The portrait of Fournier is by J J Kucek courtesy of Kunsthaus Graz.
