will alsop works on a sketch in his trademark colours at this offices in battersea, south london photo sara lee

will alsop, the stirling prize winning architect will quit his practice to spend more time painting, but will continue as a consultant in the firm.

at an age when most architects are entering their most productive years, alsop, 61, announced his plans to walk away from day-to-day architecture and launch a ‘serious inquiry into painting’ instead. he said his decision was partly the result of opposition to his style of architecture within parts of the establishment.

alsop architects will now be guided by managing director duncan maucaulay.

known for his somewhat controversial designs alsop received the royal institute for british architects building of the year award in 2000 for peckham library an exuberant turquoise and yellow structure. four years later he was forced to sell his firm to venture capitalists after it entered administration.

‘I love architecture but one of the things that gets up my nose, particularly in london, is that doing anything is like pulling teeth,’ he said.

‘there are so many hangers on and architectural advisers who know nothing and it gets in the way. for example I am doing nothing for the london 2012 olympics and it has got to the point where I don’t feel like asking so I don’t give them the satisfaction of saying no.’

via guardian

will alsop quits architecture for painting peckham library image courtesy alsop architects

will alsop quits architecture for painting the public – art gallery photo paul pickard image courtesy alsop architects

will alsop quits architecture for painting sharp center for design image courtesy alsop architects