Cedric Price
Encyclopedia
Cedric Price was an English architect
and influential teacher and writer on architecture.
The son of an architect, Price was born in Stone, Staffordshire
and studied architecture at Cambridge University (St. John's College
- graduating in 1955) and the Architectural Association School of Architecture
in London
, where he encountered, and was influenced by, the modernist architect and urban planner Arthur Korn
.
From 1958 to 1964 he taught part-time at the AA and at the Council of Industrial Design. He later founded 'Polyark', an architectural schools network.
As a working architect, he was associated with Maxwell Fry
and Denys Lasdun
before he started his own practice in 1960, working with Lord Snowdon and Frank Newby
on the design of the Aviary
at London Zoo
(1961). He later also worked with Buckminster Fuller
on the Claverton dome.
One of his more famous projects was the Fun Palace (1961), developed in association with theatrical director Joan Littlewood
. Although it was never built, its flexible space influenced other architects, notably Richard Rogers
and Renzo Piano
whose Centre Georges Pompidou
in Paris
extended many of Price's ideas - some of which Price used on a more modest scale in the Inter-Action Centre in north London's Kentish Town
(1971).
Having conceived the idea of using architecture and education as a way to drive economic redevelopment - notably in the north Staffordshire Potteries
area (the 'Thinkbelt' project) - he continued to contribute to planning debates. In 1969, with planner Sir Peter Hall
and the editor of New Society magazine Paul Barker, he published Non-plan, a work challenging planning orthodoxy.
In 1984 Price proposed the redevelopment of London's South Bank
, and anticipated the London Eye
by suggesting that a giant Ferris wheel
should be constructed by the River Thames
.
Partner of actress Eleanor Bron
, he died in London aged 68 in 2003.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and influential teacher and writer on architecture.
The son of an architect, Price was born in Stone, Staffordshire
Stone, Staffordshire
Stone is an old market town in Staffordshire, England, situated about seven miles north of Stafford, and around seven miles south of the city of Stoke-on-Trent. It is the second town, after Stafford itself, in the Borough of Stafford, and has long been of importance from the point of view of...
and studied architecture at Cambridge University (St. John's College
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
- graduating in 1955) and the Architectural Association School of Architecture
Architectural Association School of Architecture
The Architectural Association School of Architecture, more usually known as the AA, is an architectural school in London, United Kingdom...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he encountered, and was influenced by, the modernist architect and urban planner Arthur Korn
Arthur Korn (architect)
Arthur Korn was a German Jewish architect and urban planner who was a proponent of modernism in Germany and the UK.-Life and career:...
.
From 1958 to 1964 he taught part-time at the AA and at the Council of Industrial Design. He later founded 'Polyark', an architectural schools network.
As a working architect, he was associated with Maxwell Fry
Maxwell Fry
Edwin Maxwell Fry, CBE, RA, FRIBA, FRTPI, known as Maxwell Fry , was an English modernist architect of the middle and late 20th century, known for his buildings in Britain, Africa and India....
and Denys Lasdun
Denys Lasdun
Sir Denys Lasdun CH was an eminent English architect. Probably his best known work is the Royal National Theatre, on London's South Bank of the Thames, which is a Grade II* listed building and one of the most notable examples of Brutalist design in the United Kingdom.Lasdun studied at the...
before he started his own practice in 1960, working with Lord Snowdon and Frank Newby
Frank Newby
Frank Newby was one of the leading structural engineers of the 20th Century, working with such architects as Philip Powell and Hidalgo Moya, Eero Saarinen, Cedric Price, James Stirling, and the practice of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill , and such engineers as Ove Arup and Felix Samuely.-Early life...
on the design of the Aviary
Aviary
An aviary is a large enclosure for confining birds. Unlike cages, aviaries allow birds a larger living space where they can fly; hence, aviaries are also sometimes known as flight cages...
at London Zoo
London Zoo
London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London on 27 April 1828, and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. It was eventually opened to the public in 1847...
(1961). He later also worked with Buckminster Fuller
Buckminster Fuller
Richard Buckminster “Bucky” Fuller was an American systems theorist, author, designer, inventor, futurist and second president of Mensa International, the high IQ society....
on the Claverton dome.
One of his more famous projects was the Fun Palace (1961), developed in association with theatrical director Joan Littlewood
Joan Littlewood
Joan Maud Littlewood was a British theatre director, noted for her work in developing the left-wing Theatre Workshop...
. Although it was never built, its flexible space influenced other architects, notably Richard Rogers
Richard Rogers
Richard George Rogers, Baron Rogers of Riverside CH Kt FRIBA FCSD is a British architect noted for his modernist and functionalist designs....
and Renzo Piano
Renzo Piano
Renzo Piano is an Italian architect. He is the recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, AIA Gold Medal, Kyoto Prize and the Sonning Prize...
whose Centre Georges Pompidou
Centre Georges Pompidou
Centre Georges Pompidou is a complex in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement of Paris, near Les Halles, rue Montorgueil and the Marais...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
extended many of Price's ideas - some of which Price used on a more modest scale in the Inter-Action Centre in north London's Kentish Town
Kentish Town
Kentish Town is an area of north west London, England in the London Borough of Camden.-History:The most widely accepted explanation of the name of Kentish Town is that it derived from 'Ken-ditch' meaning the 'bed of a waterway'...
(1971).
Having conceived the idea of using architecture and education as a way to drive economic redevelopment - notably in the north Staffordshire Potteries
Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent , also called The Potteries is a city in Staffordshire, England, which forms a linear conurbation almost 12 miles long, with an area of . Together with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke forms The Potteries Urban Area...
area (the 'Thinkbelt' project) - he continued to contribute to planning debates. In 1969, with planner Sir Peter Hall
Peter Hall (urbanist)
Sir Peter Geoffrey Hall, FBA is an English town planner, urbanist and geographer. He is the Bartlett Professor of Planning and Regeneration at The Bartlett, University College London and President of both the Town and Country Planning Association and the Regional Studies Association.He is...
and the editor of New Society magazine Paul Barker, he published Non-plan, a work challenging planning orthodoxy.
In 1984 Price proposed the redevelopment of London's South Bank
South Bank
South Bank is an area of London, England located immediately adjacent to the south side of the River Thames. It forms a long and narrow section of riverside development that is within the London Borough of Lambeth to the border with the London Borough of Southwark and was formerly simply known as...
, and anticipated the London Eye
London Eye
The London Eye is a tall giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames, in London, England.It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually...
by suggesting that a giant Ferris wheel
Ferris wheel
A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
should be constructed by the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
.
Partner of actress Eleanor Bron
Eleanor Bron
Eleanor Bron is an English stage, film and television actress and author.-Early life and family:Bron was born in 1938 in Stanmore, Middlesex, to a Jewish family of Eastern European origin...
, he died in London aged 68 in 2003.