Scottish architect Jonathan Speirs dies aged 54

ONE of Scotland’s top architects, Jonathan Speirs, who was involved with some of the biggest international projects of the past 50 years, passed away today after a long illness.

The 54-year-old designer, one half of the multi-award winning Speirs + Major practice, was internationally renowned for his lighting design.

Among some of the major international projects Mr Speirs was involved included Copenhagen Opera House, The Millennium Dome and Lord Foster’s Gherkin in London; Barajas Airport, Madrid, and Burj Al Arab Tower, Dubai.

His practice also lit five of the recent RIBA’s prestigious Stirling Prize winning projects, and in 2005 he was recognised by Light Magazine as the Lighting Designer of the Decade.

Neil Baxter, Secretary of Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) and friend of Mr Speirs, said: “I think the crucially important thing is that Jonathan was without doubt one of the pioneers of lighting design as a separate architecture discipline,” he said.

“His work has absolutely transformed not just individual buildings but whole cities across the globe. He was an incredibly talented individual. His achievements are immense.”

Mr Speirs was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2010, but continued to work for the practice until the end of last year.