Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, the renowned architect behind the Eden Project in Cornwall, has passed away at the age of 85.

Grimshaw was also the creative mind behind notable structures such as the iconic Ship building in Plymouth and the glass-and-steel International Terminal at Waterloo in London, which earned the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Building of the Year Award in 1994.

The sad news was shared on Monday afternoon by Grimshaw, the architecture firm he established in 1980.

In their statement, the firm described him as “a man of innovation and ideas” who would be remembered for his “unquenchable curiosity about the processes of creation.”

With a blend of pragmatic creativity, he possessed a remarkable talent for inspiring others to believe in the feasibility of bold concepts, the firm added.

Sir Nicholas received a knighthood in 2002 for his contributions to architecture.

He held the position of president of the Royal Academy from 2004 to 2011.

In 2022, he launched the Grimshaw Foundation to promote creative design, innovation, and sustainability among youth.

His design of the Eden Project, situated in a repurposed clay pit near St Austell, came to fruition in 2001.

This attraction and environmental charity features giant domes known as biomes, created to simulate various climates on Earth and support thousands of plant species.

The Eden Project team expressed their sorrow at Sir Nicholas’ death while honoring his exceptional talent.

They commented, “He recognized the transformative potential of empowering individuals to embrace nature’s gifts.”

His imaginative vision for the Eden Project, inspired by a few soap bubbles representing biomes, led the team to develop elegant solutions to complex design challenges.

The biomes integrate seamlessly with the landscape, making it challenging to distinguish where the natural environment ends and the architecture begins.

According to the team, “Without his vision, the Eden Project biomes would not exist.”

Additionally, he was responsible for the design of the glass and steel Ship building in Derriford, Plymouth, which formerly housed the offices of The Herald and Western Morning News.

In April 2015, this building was recommended for Grade II* listing by Historic England and now functions as office space and an activity center.

Andrew Whalley, chairman of Grimshaw, reflected, “From the moment I joined the practice in 1986, I experienced Nick’s warmth and generosity in leadership.”

He noted that the studio’s lack of hierarchy, nurtured by Nick’s approachable and open demeanor, was its greatest asset.

“His work was never driven by surface trends or fads; it was always about structure, craftsmanship, and purpose—creating buildings that stand the test of time because they are both functional and uplifting, embodying Nick’s belief in ‘bringing some kind of joy.’”

The firm extended its condolences to the family of Sir Nicholas, including his wife, Lady Lavinia, and their daughters, Chloe and Isabel.