Masterplanner

Sir Terry Farrell has played a leading role in shaping the debate about the transformation of neglected urban spaces into vibrant neighbourhoods. He was awarded an OBE in 1978, a CBE for services to architecture in 1996 and was knighted in 2001 for services to urban design.

Capco and Transport for London were impressed with the proposal he submitted for the Earls Court Masterplanner Competition as it displayed a real understanding of how urban developments can blend in with existing urban settings and become thriving neighbourhoods in their own right.

His proposal centred around a main high street which would connect four urban villages that blend in with existing communities and would be natural ‘centres of gravity’ in the Earls Court Project Area:

• Warwick Road
• West Brompton
• North End Road
• West Kensington

If his proposal went ahead, the first building phase would be based around these four urban villages. Public gardens, housing, offices and shopping streets would follow in an organic fashion, reflecting the natural evolution of any city. This philosophy fits well with the vision behind the Earls Court Project, but the final masterplan will be decided after consultation with all key stakeholders and local communities.

London context

Although Sir Terry Farrell has worked on high-profile architectural and planning projects throughout Asia and the UK, he has a real understanding of London in particular. In 2008 he was appointed by Boris Johnson to lead on design issues for the Mayor’s new Outer London Commission, advising on The London Plan and in 2009 he published ‘Shaping London: The patterns and forms that make the metropolis’. His other roles and affiliations include:

• Advisor to Lord Adonis, Minister for Transport, High Speed Rail
• Member of the Thames Estuary Airport Steering Group for the Mayor of London
• Advisor to the Greater London Authority for the Mayor’s Design Advisory Panel
• HM Government Champion for the Thames Gateway
• Quality of Life Policy Group Advisor for Greater London Authority
• Masterplanner for University College London
• Design Champion, Thames Gateway Parklands
• Honorary Town Planning Consultant to the Royal Parks
• Commissioner, City of Westminster’s Housing Commission

Tell us what you think

We have appointed Sir Terry Farrell as masterplanner for the Earls Court Project, but the actual masterplan has yet to be decided. We’d like to hear your opinions and concerns about the Earls Court Project, so simply register and have your say.