RIBA President, Simon Allford, pays tribute to Owen Luder CBE, who passed away on 8 October 2021 aged 93 after serving as RIBA President twice from 1981–1983 and 1995–1997.
RIBA President, Simon Allford, said:
“Our thoughts are with Luder’s family, friends and loved ones at this time. Made famous as the commercially astute Brutalist, Luder designed several remarkable schemes throughout the 1960s and 1970s, which divided opinion – attracting both admiration and condemnation – in equal measure. A South London boy with working class parents, Luder began his esteemed career at Brixton School of Building. In 1957 he went on to establish his own successful practice, developing schemes across the UK and further afield, and served architecture as RIBA President twice, and as Chairman of the Architects Registration Board. Luder will be remembered for his powerful and raw schemes that were celebrated in critically-acclaimed movies (‘Get Carter’ featuring Gateshead Car Park) and – in the case of the Tricorn Centre – celebrated and demolished! Owen’s life was long and well lived – dedicated to his family, friends, the profession and his beloved Arsenal FC.”
