Ron Herron
Encyclopedia
Ron Heron 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
.
in London
.
, 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.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and teacher. He was perhaps best known for his work with the seminal English experimental architecture collective Archigram
Archigram
Archigram was an avant-garde architectural group formed in the 1960s - based at the Architectural Association, London - that was futurist, anti-heroic and pro-consumerist, drawing inspiration from technology in order to create a new reality that was solely expressed through hypothetical projects...
, 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
Walking city
The Walking City was an idea proposed by British architect Ron Herron in 1964. In an article in avant-garde architecture journal Archigram, Ron Herron proposed building massive mobile robotic structures, with their own intelligence, that could freely roam the world, moving to wherever their...
.
Education
Ron Herron studied architecture at the Brixton School of Building and at the Regent Street PolytechnicUniversity of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
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 LondonArchigram
Shortly after finishing his architectural studies, Herron went to work for the London County CouncilLondon County Council
London County Council was the principal local government body for the County of London, throughout its 1889–1965 existence, and the first London-wide general municipal authority to be directly elected. It covered the area today known as Inner London and was replaced by the Greater London Council...
, alongside fellow future Archigram members Warren Chalk and Dennis Crompton. They were joined by Peter Cook, Mike Webb
Mike Webb
Mike Webb was an American radio personality. Originally a radio news reporter, he later became a liberal talk show host and activist. Webb was murdered in 2007.-Early life and career in San Francisco:...
, 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.