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Farrells Architects News

post updated 4 October 2025 + 28 September 2025

Sir Terence Farrell died, aged 87 years, on Sunday the 28th of September.

Sir Terry Farrell:

photo © Richard Gleed

Sir Terence Farrell CBE FRIBA FRSA FCSD MRTPI was a British architect and urban designer.

In 1980, after working for 15 years in partnership with Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, Farrell founded his own firm, Farrells.

photo courtesy of architects office

Born: May 12, 1938, Sale, United Kingdom
Died: September 28, 2025, London, United Kingdom

Sir Terence Farrell was a renowned British architect, best known for his work in urban design and architecture. His career spanned several decades, and he was considered one of the leading figures in contemporary British architecture. Farrell was especially well-known for his contributions to the design of large-scale urban projects and iconic buildings.

Some of his most notable works include:

– The MI6 Building (Government Communications Headquarters) in London: Often referred to as the “Secret Intelligence Service Building,” this structure is one of Farrell’s most famous works. It’s a massive, striking building along the River Thames and stands as a symbol of British intelligence.

– The masterplan for the regeneration of the Isle of Dogs: This is part of the broader Docklands regeneration project in London, which transformed derelict industrial sites into a new business district.

– The British Embassy in Berlin: Completed in the early 2000s, this building is a striking example of modern architecture, blending the historical with the contemporary.

Farrell’s work as a urban planner: Farrell has been instrumental in creating masterplans for various cities and regions, seeking to make urban environments more livable and sustainable.

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Farrells News

21 November 2023
Powerhouse, Chelsea Waterfront, London, England, UK
Renewal design: Farrells

photo courtesy of architects practice
Powerhouse Chelsea Waterfront London
As construction reaches a pinnacle point and the hoarding that has hidden Powerhouse from public view is gradually removed, the first glimpses of the Chelsea landmark’s restored façade are revealed. Forming the cornerstone of the 8.85-acre luxury residential development Chelsea Waterfront, set to comprise 260 luxury apartments, the re-imagination of the former Lots Road Power Station masterminded by Farrells, pays homage to the site’s heritage and industrial legacy.

21 Oct 2022
Hangzhou Winland Center

photo : Winland Group
Located on the banks of the Grand Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the 230,000m² mixed-use project consists of 2 iconic office towers connected to a retail base linking 7 retail villas and 6 residential towers, weaved together by a network of elevated link bridges and sunken courtyard, walkable retail streetscapes, plazas filled with cultural events and residential courtyards.

10 June 2022

Farrells Appoints Rachel Chow as Director

Farrells, international architecture and urban design practice, announces the appointment of Rachel Chow to the new leadership role of Director, effective April 1, 2022. Rachel will oversee the design and execution of projects in the Hong Kong region, and will work closely with Directors Gavin Erasmus, Stefan Krummeck and Felix Li to drive collaborations with various business partners and industry practitioners, to accelerate the firm’s success.

Rachel earned her Master of Architecture from the University of Hong Kong and joined Farrells in 2013. Formerly Project Director at Farrells, and Deputy Authorized Person, Rachel worked on key projects for Farrells Hong Kong, including Kwai Chung Hospital Redevelopment, M+ Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District, Kowloon East Regional Police Headquarters in Kai Tak etc, offering holistic, innovative and practical building design solutions to fulfil client requirements within challenging programmes. Rachel also holds various public roles, including council member on the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) Council 2021/22, and was the Chairlady of HKIA BIM & IT Committee from 2017-2020.

Commenting on the appointment, Gavin Erasmus, Stefan Krummeck and Felix Li stated: “We are excited to welcome Rachel to the Board of Directors. She is a leading talent with a proven record in the successful design and delivery of award-winning architecture. She is an incisive forward thinker, a strong collaborator, leader and relationship builder. Rachel is a person of action who brings her dynamic energy and perspective to help drive our ongoing success and our industry toward a more sustainable future.”

Rachel commented: “It was an amazing journey in Farrells over the past decade collaborating with international talents to deliver quality design projects. I am delighted to be taking on this new role facilitating our passionate young professionals to deliver human-centered, innovative and sustainable design that contributes to the liveability of our city in the long run. I am also looking forward to collaborating with various clients and business partners to drive the growth of business, and to diversify our services to build long-term resilience for the company.”

About Farrells
Farrells is an international firm of architects, urban planners and designers, founded by Sir Terry Farrell in 1965. With headquarters in London, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, the firm is a group of diverse talent that has delivered a broad range of projects worldwide. We work at all scales and sectors; including urban masterplans, cultural, civic, transport-related infrastructure, residential and mixed-use commercial complexes. We are committed to creating innovative, social, and transformative architecture that sustainably connects people, the community and the environment.

Farrells Designs

Recent Architectural Designs by Farrells on e-architect – selection below:

21 May 2022
Exhibition Centre Station Hong Kong

photo : Kris Provoost
The East Rail Line Cross-harbour Extension commenced service on 15 May 2022, marking the completion of the Shatin to Central Link project, an important milestone in Hong Kong’s railway development. The 46-km East Rail Line consists of 16 stations including the new Exhibition Centre Station designed by Farrells.

14 Mar 2022
Shanghai Shipyard Masterplan
Architecture: Farrells

photo © Terrence Zhang and Farrells
The notion of how people work and play has changed due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Benjamin Lau from Farrells discusses the new Shanghai Shipyard venue in the Lujiazui district which gives a new future vision for urban life.

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14 Nov 2017
Northern Gateway Masterplan Design, Manchester, England, UK
International design and architecture practice, Farrells, has been appointed to masterplan the Northern Gateway, a pioneering investment partnership between developer Far East Consortium (FEC) and Manchester City Council, which will provide more than 10,000 new homes across northern Manchester over the next decade.

8 Feb 2017
Jurong Lake District Masterplan, Singapore
Design: KCAP ; SAA Architects, Arup, S333 and Lekker

image courtesy of architects practice

KK100 Tower, Shenzhen, China

photo from TFP Farrells
Farrells was commissioned to design the 441.8-meter tower after winning an international design competition. Located in the city’s prime district of Luohu, the Tower will be Shenzhen’s tallest tower as well as one of the world’s tallest mixed-use buildings.