Dezeen Magazine

Kathryn Findlay

British architect Kathryn Findlay dies aged 60

News: architect Kathryn Findlay of London firm Ushida Findlay Architects has died at the age of 60 after suffering from a brain tumour.

Findlay, the co-founder and principal director of Ushida Findlay Architects, is best known for a series of inventive houses in Japan and the architectural elements of the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture at the London 2012 Olympic Park.

Soft and Hairy House in Tokyo by Kathryn Findlay
Soft and Hairy House in Tokyo

The architect graduated from the Architectural Association in London in 1979 before spending 20 years practising and teaching architecture in Japan, including a position with Tokyo University and a spell in the offices of architect Arata Isozaki.

She founded Ushida Findlay Architects in 1986 with her then husband Eisaku Ushida and went on to complete projects such as the Soft and Hairy House (1992-94) in Tokyo and the Truss Wall House (1993), also in Tokyo.

Kasahara Culture and Amenity Hall by Kathryn Findlay
Kasahara Culture and Amenity Hall in Gifu

In 1999 the studio relocated to London and over the last 15 years has worked on projects including a pool house in southern England, another in the Chilterns, and a handful of projects back in Japan such as the Kasahara Culture and Amenity Hall in Gifu.

Most recently, Ushida Findlay Architects was appointed to realise the architectural elements of the 115 metre-high ArcelorMittal Orbit designed by artist Anish Kapoor and engineer Cecil Balmond at the London 2012 Olympic Park.

ArcelorMittal Orbit at the London 2012 Olympic Park
ArcelorMittal Orbit at the London 2012 Olympic Park

Findlay, who was born in Scotland in 1953, also taught at the University of Dundee and received an honorary fellowship from the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland earlier this year.