The architect, who his son Francis Terry credits for keeping traditional architecture’s ‘flame alive’, had been practice for more than 60 years, having started his career in his mid-20s working for Raymond Erith.
In 1962 he would form a partnership with Erith – one of decreasing number of traditional architects still active at the time – setting up under the name Erith & Terry. It was during their 11 years together that they completed a new house at Kings Waldenbury, Hertfordshire for the Pilkington family in 1971.
However it wasn’t until the 1980s that Quinlan, described by Francis as ‘something of an outsider [who had been] quietly honed his skills in near obscurity’, rose to public prominence.
Francis said: ‘In 1984 when the then Prince of Wales gave his infamous carbuncle speech and became an accidental promotor of traditional architecture, my father was there, pencils in hand ready to go. He became, if the news papers are to be believed ‘the Prince’s favourite architect’.
‘Classical architecture that was declared dead in the 1970s is now a vital, growing, and celebrated part of contemporary design.’
He would later deliver several buildings at Poundbury near Dorchester, commissioned by the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) for the Duchy of Cornwall.
Quinlan and Francis Terry in their Dedham office
His most famous schemes include: the redevelopment of Richmond Riverside (1984-1987); a series of three new villas (1989) in the Outer Circle in London’s Regent’s Park based on Palladio’s Villa Saraceno; the Maitland Robinson Library at Downing College, Cambridge (1992);
Quinlan’s son Francis joined his father in practice in 1994 and would became a partner in 2004 before the formal partnership registration in 2007. However Quinlan & Francis Terry Architects split in 2016 – Francis setting up his own studio.
Quinlan, who was made a Commander of the British Empire for services to classical architecture in 2015, continued as a director of Colchester-based Quinlan Terry Architects until earlier this month.
The eight-strong company has since changed its name to Quinlan Terry Architecture.
A drawing by Quinlan Terry
Source: Francis Terry