Ralph Erskine 1914 - 2005

Photo courtesy Erskine Tovatt

Distinguished architect and urban planner, Ralph Erskine CBE FRS ARIBA, has died peacefully, aged 91, in his hometown of Drottingholm, near Stockholm, Sweden.

Ralph Erskine was based for most of his career in Sweden where he has designed numerous office buildings and housing developments. He was best known in Great Britain for his housing scheme at Byker in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and a commercial project, the Ark in Hammersmith, London. Most recently his achievement in designing the winning scheme in the 1997 competition to develop the Government’s first Millennium Community at Greenwich, London, has brought his work to the attention of many in the capital.

Photo courtesy Erskine Tovatt
Millennium Community Greenwich

Erskine has had an immense influence on the Scandinavian architectural debate. He has been faithful to his belief in the development of a good and equal society and he has, without compromises, pledged and fought for the need for social and political awareness in the built environment.

He was a true humanist. His buildings radiate optimism, appropriateness and wit, which endear them to many. His philosophy of work accommodated the climate and the context together with the social and humanistic needs of people. He was concerned that the expression of buildings should engage the general public interest, generate a sense of ownership and appeal to genuine participation.

Ralph Erskine designed a small tower for my Kolonihaven project when Copenhagen was Cultural Capital of Europe in 1996. The small tower stands by the lake at the Louisiana Museum in Denmark.

Photo: arcspace

“A small tower to satisfy our childish pleasure of climbing trees, or our adult joy in getting to the top; floating above the park in the middle of the leafy canopy.
Having arrived at the top you can hoist up your basket of bread, fruit, cheese and wine and rest around the table with good friends, birds and butterflies.
The tower is made of wood with a rough surface and the outer ribs form a trellis for climbing plants.
In a large box in the middle a small flowering tree grows up through the table”.
Ralph Erskine

Kirsten Kiser

Erskine Tovatt Architects and Planners
Ruth and Ralph Erskine Stipend Fund





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		Ralph Erskine 1914 - 2005 Photo courtesy Erskine Tovatt Distinguished architect and urban planner, Ralph Erskine CBE FRS ARIBA, has died peacefully, aged 91, in his hometown of Drottingholm, near Stockholm, Sweden. Ralph Erskine was based for most of his career in Sweden where he has designed numerous office buildings and housing developments. He was best known in Great Britain for his housing scheme at Byker in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and a commercial project, the Ark in Hammersmith, London. Most recently his achievement in designing the winning scheme in the 1997 competition to develop the Government’s first Millennium Community at Greenwich, London, has brought his work to the attention of many in the capital. Photo courtesy Erskine Tovatt Millennium Community Greenwich Erskine has had an immense influence on the Scandinavian architectural debate. He has been faithful to his belief in the development of a good and equal society and he has, without compromises, pledged and fought for the need for social and political awareness in the built environment. He was a true humanist. His buildings radiate optimism, appropriateness and wit, which endear them to many. His philosophy of work accommodated the climate and the context together with the social and humanistic needs of people. He was concerned that the expression of buildings should engage the general public interest, generate a sense of ownership and appeal to genuine participation. Ralph Erskine designed a small tower for my Kolonihaven project when Copenhagen was Cultural Capital of Europe in 1996. The small tower stands by the lake at the Louisiana Museum in Denmark. Photo: arcspace “A small tower to satisfy our childish pleasure of climbing trees, or our adult joy in getting to the top; floating above the park in the middle of the leafy canopy. Having arrived at the top you can hoist up your basket of bread, fruit, cheese and wine and rest around the table with good friends, birds and butterflies. The tower is made of wood with a rough surface and the outer ribs form a trellis for climbing plants. In a large box in the middle a small flowering tree grows up through the table”. Ralph Erskine Kirsten Kiser Erskine Tovatt Architects and Planners Ruth and Ralph Erskine Stipend Fund March 18, 2005