Ron Herron

Ronald James "Ron" Herron (1930 in London, England – 1994) was a notable English architect and teacher. He was perhaps best known for his work with the seminal English experimental architecture collective Archigram, which was formed in London in the early 1960s. Herron is the creator of one of the group's best known and celebrated projects, The Walking city.

Early life and education

Ron Herron was born in London on 12 August 1930, to a leather-working family. He studied draughtsmanship at the Brixton School of Building^[1] and architecture at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London.

Academic career

Taught at the Architectural Association in London from 1965 until 1993, when he was appointed as professor and Head of the School of Architecture at the University of East London.

Professional career

In 1981 he formed Herron Associates, along with his sons Andrew and Simon. The firm built the acclaimed Imagination Headquarters in London

Archigram

Shortly after finishing his architectural studies, Herron went to work for the London County Council, alongside fellow future Archigram members Warren Chalk and Dennis Crompton. They were joined by Peter Cook, Mike Webb, and David Greene, who had been meeting regularly as a group at a cafe called Swiss Cottage, and had already published a homemade pamphlet under the moniker "Archigram" (ARCHitecture + teleGRAM). After the publication of the second issue, Cook, Webb and Greene sought out Herron, Chalk and Crompton, whom they knew by reputation. Those six formed the core of Archigram. In 1963 the group was invited by Theo Crosby to do an exhibition on "The Living City" at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, which became a manifesto of sorts.

The Walking City

Herron is remembered for his "Walking City", later described as "the international icon of radical architecture of the Sixties".^[1] Herron's proposal for The Walking City was first published in 1965, in the fifth issue of the Archigram Pamphlet. The idea was a series of insect like mobile cities, that could simply move around until their residents found a place that they wanted to settle and "plug in". The idea, articulated by Herron's evocative renderings of the project became one of the identifying images of the groups work and ideas.

Personal life

Herron married Pat Ginn in 1954 and they remained together until his death. They had two sons.^[1]

Herron died at Woodford Green, Essex on 1 October 1994.^[1]

References