In memoriam: Michael Squire

Tuesday 09 May 2023

Michael Squire

May 3, 1946 – May 4, 2023

We at NLA were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Michael Squire last week following a short illness. A long-standing supporter of NLA, Squire established Michael Squire Associates in 1976, the practice which evolved into Squire & Partners, now led by his son Henry with fellow partners Tim Gledstone and Murray Levinson. His warmth and generosity of spirit will be much missed.

Read more on Squire & Partners website

Michael was quintessentially a London architect. From the ordered streets and squares of the Great Estates to the vibrant and diverse community of Brixton, he has left an indelible mark on the capital. His architecture was contemporary but contextual, respecting the rhythm and scale of its neighbours while creating a strong and identifiable presence. His ‘white period’ is perhaps his most distinctive style, the deft handling of stone totally at home in Mayfair, Chelsea and the South Bank yet also transferred successfully to the Middle East in the Msheireb development in Doha. Michael took on the tricky Chelsea Barracks project, working initially with Dixon Jones. He won over the local community and delivered a powerful piece of city that sits comfortably with its Cadogan and Grosvenor neighbours.

He was hugely energetic and entrepreneurial. When the practice decided to move from King’s Cross to a somewhat off-piste location in Brixton Michael the impresario created such a destination from the Department Store that West End clients were happy to journey to south London to admire the exemplary retrofit. He was a proud host of the Upstairs club on the top floor of the office with its bar, lounge area and dining spaces. Michael engaged wholeheartedly with the local community and the project became a beacon for the regeneration of the heart of Brixton. He will be sorely missed.

Peter Murray OBE, Co-founder, NLA

Read the ‘New Teams’ profile on Squire and Partners from issue 48 of NLQ here and listen to an interview conducted with Michael as part of LFA’s Architecture Masters back in 2017 – here.