Rafael Viñoly, the world-renowned Uruguayan architect who designed buildings including London's so-called Walkie Talkie, has died aged 78.

Viñoly's death was announced by his son, Román, who described him as a "visionary" who leaves "a rich legacy of distinctive and timeless designs".

He established Rafael Viñoly Architects in 1983 and his work features in more than 600 structures around the world.

He died in hospital, reportedly from an aneurysm, in New York City on Thursday.

Román Viñoly said his father's designs "manifested in some of the world's most recognisable" structures and that he would be missed "by all those whose lives he touched through his work".

Born in Montevideo in 1944, Viñoly moved to Buenos Aires at the age of five with his mother, a maths teacher, and theatre director father.

He studied architecture at the University of Buenos Aires and while he was still a student, was a founding member in the successful firm Estudio de Arquitectura.