January 22 2021

Designer and urbanist Willie Miller, principal of Willie Miller Urban Design (WMUD), passed away on 12 January following a short illness. He is survived by Ines and their daughter Maxi.

A champion of urban design over a career spanning more than 30 years Miller worked tirelessly to improve our cities, towns and neighbourhoods and was an evangelist for working with communities.

WMUD will continue under the leadership of planner and designer Ines Triebel who has worked with the practice since 2005. Established partnerships with Benton Scott-Simmons, Nick Wright Planning, Kevin Murray Associates, icecream architecture and yellow book will also continue as before.

Urban Realm editor John Glenday said: "Willie was one of a kind. A stalwart champion of the built environment, we are all poorer for his loss. He always commanded attention in any encounter with his timeless presence and dry wit. He may be out of time but will be with us for all time."

The funeral will held on Tuesday 26 January at 15:45, and will be live-streamed. Log-in at www.obitus.com: user name Cewe8084; password 999839

14 Comments

#1 Posted by Iain on 22 Jan 2021 at 15:06 PM

Willie Miller, what a treasure. I met him when he was teaching urban design in the Urban Studies department at Glasgow Uni -- I was immediately taken by his style and approach. I've been privileged to work closely with Willie ever since. Willie always had a finger on the pulse and blended this much-more-up-to-date than me approach with a great wisdom. And the wit, always best when he cracked a funny one and he couldn't contain himself. I'll miss him.

#2 Posted by Jimbo on 22 Jan 2021 at 16:22 PM

Sad news. He was a gent.

#3 Posted by Malcolm Fraser on 22 Jan 2021 at 16:30 PM

A lovely man, miss him desperately. His taste in music was brilliant too, aye sending me the most extreme Japanese noise terror, early experimental electronica or primal scream therapy from institutionalised Americans. Love to Ines and Maxi...

#4 Posted by Janet Benton on 22 Jan 2021 at 17:16 PM

A one off. Creative, thoughtful, demanding, generous, inquiring, hilarious. Sometimes simultaneously! Had some of the best times working with Willie. Feel very fortunate to have been in his orbit. It won’t be the same without him.

#5 Posted by Chris Rankin on 22 Jan 2021 at 18:30 PM

A lovely kind man.

#6 Posted by Marc Cairns on 22 Jan 2021 at 18:47 PM

Incredibly sad news. Our team enjoyed working with Willie a few years ago. A straight talking and generous man. Best wishes to all his family and friends x

#7 Posted by Peter Drummond on 22 Jan 2021 at 23:54 PM

Very sad news. I greatly enjoyed working with Willie and shall miss him greatly.

#8 Posted by John Lord on 24 Jan 2021 at 11:56 AM

Such a loss: a wonderful, remarkable man. I learned a huge amount working with Willie: his intellect, creativity, and passion for new ideas brought out the best in everyone around him. And it was always a lot of fun.

#9 Posted by Laura HG on 25 Jan 2021 at 10:29 AM

WMUD is the only real urban design practice in Scotland. Willie was a pioneer in this field, which is sadly lacking across the country. I am glad to hear that his practice will continue and his legacy will be upheld.

#10 Posted by Matt Bridgestock on 25 Jan 2021 at 11:53 AM

A sad and sudden loss. There was not a meeting, village hall consultation or pub table that wasn't enlivened by Willies dry wit and presence. An intellect that brought some lovely, carefully crafted projects. I feel fortunate to have shared projects and time with him. Thoughts are with Innes and his family.

#11 Posted by Daniel McKendry on 25 Jan 2021 at 12:07 PM

Such sad news. Learned , thoughtful,generous, and undoubtedly a 'cool guy'. I always enjoyed working with Willie.

#12 Posted by Carol cooke on 26 Jan 2021 at 11:18 AM

One of a kind, my years working with him have stayed with me throughout my career. An amazing mentor and a good friend. Witty, kind, demanding, occasionally grumpy and always full of integrity. He would roll his eyes at all this praise but he was a unique force of creativity and intellect. Very grateful to have known him. Willie you're dearly missed.

#13 Posted by Chris Gray on 26 Jan 2021 at 12:15 PM

What incredibly sad news, a huge loss. I had the privilege of working with Willie during my landscape architecture year out around 1999 and he opened my eyes to urban design and how to think about the city in a completely different way, taking me under his arm for the year and always remaining a friendly face. He was always ahead of the rest of the field, whether it was his thoughts on reintegrating the Clyde back into the fabric of the city, cutting edge computer production for digital illustrations or having a vibrant online presence. His humour was dry and his hair was amazing. As Chris R says, he was a lovely man.

#14 Posted by Peter Noad on 3 Feb 2021 at 11:19 AM

Very sad news. I shall miss his wit and his integrity.

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