Rick Mather : The Complete Works – Kester Rattenbury
Rick Mather (1937-2013) was one of the most significant architects of his generation, renowned for a body of work that combined design excellence with a deep commitment to sustainability, adaptive re-use and the social value of architecture. Although celebrated internationally, the continuing relevance of his ideas and innovations is often overshadowed by the elegance of his completed buildings.
Drawing on Mather's personal archives, as well as the reflections of colleagues, clients, friends and building users, this comprehensive study offers a fresh perspective on a remarkable architectural career. It reveals the thinking behind projects that challenged the style-driven culture of their time and demonstrates how Mather's work anticipated many of the concerns shaping contemporary architectural practice.
From the transformation of major cultural institutions, including the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Dulwich Picture Gallery, to university buildings, urban masterplans and private houses, the book explores a practice dedicated to creating new possibilities from existing places. Throughout, Mather's projects show a consistent sensitivity to landscape, urban context and community, illustrating how thoughtful design can achieve more with less.
An essential addition to the bookshelf of architects, students and anyone interested in the future of the built environment.
Kester Rattenbury is an award-winning architectural writer, teacher, professor and critic. Her many publications include The Wessex Project: Thomas Hardy, Architect (Lund Humphries, 2018)
Author: Kester Rattenbury
Publisher: Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd
Format: Hardback
Pages: 408
ISBN: 9781848227019
Publication date: September 2026