Richard Seifert, architect of the NatWest Tower and Centre Point in London, has died aged 90.
As well as designing two of the capital's most prominent landmarks, Seifert was responsible for more than 500 office blocks and a multiplicity of shopping centres, hotels, public housing schemes and urban regeneration projects during his 50 years of professional practice.

Born in Switzerland, Seifert studied architecture in London and rose to the rank of colonel while serving in Burma and India in the Second World War. He set up his practice, R Seifert & Partners, in 1934.

He had a legendary grasp of planning law, which enabled him to squeeze the maximum value out of city-centre sites.

However, critics alleged he was the servant of property speculators: Centre Point stood empty for 13 years while developer, Harry Hyams, profited from its mounting asset value.

It was only later in his career that Seifert's design achievements were recognised by the architectural establishment.

Centre Point was listed in 1995. With its coffin-shaped plan and projecting zig-zag concrete frame faced in mosaic, it had a dynamic quality lacking in most 1960s' office blocks, and many argue that it has stood the test of time.

Seifert poineered private hospital development in Britain with the Princess Grace Hospital in London and was one of the first to start the regeneration of London Docklands.

His practice has been run by his son, John Seifert, since 1984.