Mexican architect, who designed Bermondsey Fashion & Textile Museum, dies at 80

Zandra Rhodes has paid tribute to Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta whom she commissioned to design his only UK building.

The fashion designer told BD she had been “thrilled and honoured” to work with Legorreta, who died on December 30 at the age of 80.

The Fashion & Textile Museum in Bermondsey, south London, was finished in 2001, and also contained Rhodes’ studio and home.

“I was introduced to him by Arthur and Audrey Greenberg in LA, who lived in a Legorreta house,” said Rhodes. “What peace! What a home, I was enchanted. They agreed to introduce me with the proviso that ‘he never designs second-hand buildings’ meaning as I had bought a dreary warehouse near Tower Bridge in an unchic area, he did not do conversions and would only ever start from the ground up.

“The Fashion & Textile Museum… stands in its pink and orange glory in Bermondsey Street as homage to his fabulous talent.”

Alan Camp, executive architect on the project, added: “The world has lost a true master architect; one who was generous with his time, wonderful company and entirely without arrogance.”

Legorreta is best known for the 1968 Camino Real hotel in Mexico City. He also oversaw the 1993 renovation of Pershing Square in Los Angeles, including the construction of a 10-storey bell tower.

At the time of his death Legorreta was also working with Rogers Stirk Harbour on a 221m-tall tower for the new headquarters of BBVA Bancomer in Mexico City.
In 2000 Legorreta was awarded the Gold Medal by the American Institute of Architects and in 2011 he received the Japanese Praemium Imperiale Arts prize.