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The architect established his practice in London in 1977 and is known for his artistic and educational work. Clients include the London Film School, the Royal Opera House and the University of Cambridge.
He retired in 2018 with his wife Sophie Hare, also a former partner in the firm, but the business continues under his name.
Paying tribute to him, the studio said Hale had a “curious and constantly challenging approach to design” and was an “inspiring teacher with a passion for the practice of architecture, attracting many students to the studio” .
Born in 1942, Hale initially studied natural sciences and English at the University of Cambridge, Corpus Christi, and times literary supplement He then moved with his young family to take up a position at the Liverpool School of Architecture.
His first construction job was with Arup Associates.
Hal established his own clinic In the attic room of his home in Highbury, north London, he was still teaching diploma students at the Cambridge School of Architecture.
The practice’s first major success came in 1978, when its submission for a competition for a new opera house on Place de la Bastille in Paris was chosen as one of six finalists from 760 entries. Nicholas Hale Architects is the only British practice to be shortlisted.
Although French President François Mitterrand selected an alternative scheme as the winner, the publicity “brought the practice into disrepute” and the prize money from the finalists allowed the studio to develop and relocate.
Hale’s wife joined the firm and, as was customary, “became the core of the management team and the center of the Nicholas Hale Architects family”. The culture never changed.
The practice was later shortlisted for the Covent Garden redevelopment, but its first significant arts building was the Brunei Gallery for SOAS in 1995.
According to the studio, the project’s “complex challenges allowed Nick to develop his personal architectural philosophy.”
One practice tribute said Hale “had a gift for drawing the best from all those who worked with him”.
It added: “Nick set out to create an inclusive culture within the practice, with teams working on each project from start to finish, resulting in buildings with unique integrity and attention to detail. He also insisted on delivering an appropriate professional service; Award-winning buildings also need to be delivered on time and on budget.
“Nick believes that a good architect can and should tackle any project. While experience in specific building types is useful, he hopes this does not lead to complacency. He enjoys a curious and constantly challenging approach to design that builds The result is innovative and exciting architecture, based on close consultation with the client.
The practice became a limited liability partnership (LLP) in 2004 to make succession simpler.
In 2010, the studio built a new production workshop for the Royal Opera House in Thurrock – a massive vaulted green-roofed structure spanning “a huge light-filled shed that allows for the construction of fully assembled scenery”.
The success of this scheme led to the commissioning of a similar small production center at Glyndebourne, bringing together the different specialists involved in opera production. Hale’s personal connections made Glyndebourne the location for his first exhibition as an artist.
Six years ago, Hale left the studio, “still full of ideas and enthusiasm” to pursue a new career in large-scale public sculpture.
On his retirement, he said: “We have been very lucky to have clients, consultants and builders that we have worked with over the years and I think we can be proud of what we have achieved together.”
“I absolutely love working in a partnership. The great thing about our work is building buildings that you want people to be happy with, but it’s also about working with a variety of different people on different projects. What we’ll miss is the people.”
Hare leaves behind his wife, five children and 12 grandchildren.
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