He was a proud graduate of Newcastle University’s school of Architecture, Planning & Landscape (1956-61), and continued to give back to the place that nurtured his ambitions as a visiting professor in 2016.
He was one of the world’s most influential architects, planners and urban designers. Over the course of his long career, Farrell contributed to, and was responsible for many projects throughout the UK. Examples include Newcastle Quayside, the Edinburgh Exchange district, the Greenwich Peninsula, Paddington Basin and Brindley Place in Birmingham.
Most notably, it was Sir Terry’s ‘nonconformist’ vision regarding the structure of the MI6 building that he will famously be remembered by.
As the founder and director of his company, Farrells, his work has taken him beyond the UK, to China, India, Australia and Singapore.
In Newcastle, his imprint is unmistakable. His master plan for the rejuvenation of the Quayside helped transform the industrial based riverside to a lively, tourist attracting destination. He went on to design the Centre for Life (2000) – a centre for biomedical research – and to remodel the Great North Museum: Hancock.
Later, his generous donation of his own archive to the university would help establish the Farrell Centre, providing a hub of public discussion, education and urban thinking, as an ode to his legacy.
Sir Terry will not only be remembered for his bold global landmarks, but for the way he returned to Newcastle again and again – his global masterpieces owing to his roots in the North East.
His legacy remains in the buildings and districts he helped shape, and in the countless young minds he inspired during all his time here.
Sir Terry is survived by his wife Mei Xin Wang, and his children.