dave king, 1938-2024
It is with great sadness that we mark the recent passing of Dave King, one of shedkm’s original founders.
Dave set up shedkm close to his 60th birthday, an age when many would be looking forward to a quieter life rather than a new adventure. He had already had a full career working at Denys Lasdun, Arup and teaching at the University of Liverpool, and built a reputation not just as a great architect, but as a great supporter of architecture, mentor and friend.
Image at top – self portrait
Dave on shedkm study trips
We have been touched by the many private and professional messages we’ve received which demonstrate just how many careers and lives he touched, and the very high regard in which he was held.
Dave had a distinct vision when he set up shedkm – an architectural practice driven by modernist design but rooted in a fun, student-like energy, and a relentless, progressive approach to design.
Dave wanted to create a workplace which felt like a home and an architectural family. In prioritising the people and culture of a business, and in his approach to nurturing young talent, he was years ahead of his time.
Dave and team around the time of the London studio opening
We will remember Dave in the way he described himself and his design work – greyscale with highlights of primary colour!
He was blue, but vivid Yves Klein blue. He provided a unique twist on the familiar and was a great sounding board for ideas – not just on architecture, but on life itself. He was always generous in sharing his wealth of experience; as passionate about the shedkm team and the welfare of people as he was about the design itself. He sustained life-long friendships with shedkm’ers, past and present.
He was red, a bright post-box red. Passionate and creative, he expressed his ideas through graphics, photography and poems. He was less physically present in the studios in recent years but sent us regular inspiration – a graphic self-portrait (featured above), a picture of a well-designed boat, a geometric drawing, a symmetrical photo – in his desire to keep our thinking fresh, rigorous and original.
And of course, he was yellow – a strong, bold, deep, vibrant yellow. His students and colleagues will be forever comfortable with adding a splash of yellow! He championed the need for positive accents in everything we do, and the need to add a touch of brightness which evolved into the shedkm brand itself.
Dave with fellow directors celebrating his 80th birthday
Dave was unconventional, and refused ever to think of himself as retiring.
He had a great spirit of adventure and his passion for design remained insatiable! He reminded us that design and life sit side by side, and that they do and should inform one another. Those that knew him feel privileged to have been a part of Dave’s design family and life. His impact and influence will live on in so many, and in his professional family here at shedkm. For us, he will always be remembered as our Father of Architecture.
