Shedkm co-founder Dave King dies at 86
Described as a “true inspiration for an entire generation of architects” who had “credibility and style” by those he worked alongside and taught, Dave King was a force in the Liverpool and North West property scene.
Shedkm, the architecture firm he co-founded alongside Jonathan Falkingham and James Weston in 1997, announced the news of King’s death on Thursday.
“Dave was an incredible inspiration to students and professionals across the industry, loved and respected for his wisdom, his unwavering approach to modernism, and his great zest for life,” the studio stated.
King’s career included roles at King McCallister (which became Shedkm), LAG Prichard Architects, Denys Lasdun and Partners, and Arup. He was a visiting professor at Liverpool School of Architecture for many years. His portfolio of projects featured Christ’s College Cambridge, Church of Christ the King in Wavertree, and the Liverpool School of Architecture.
Falkingham took a moment to remember King, who he described as a lifelong friend and mentor.
“A passionate modernist, Dave was an exceptional thinker and designer and as an educator, a true inspiration for an entire generation of architects,” Falkingham said.
“His unique spirit and vision made him a rare talent, and it was a real privilege to have worked alongside him.”
Reimagine Architects founder Nik Randall, who studied under King at the University of Liverpool in the 1980s, said: “[King] stood out, not only because of his impressive experience working for some of the country’s leading architects but due to his passion for architecture, and his cool black and red attire. He had credibility and style.”
King’s role at Shedkm to working alongside Urban Splash on multiple projects, including the Town House in New Islington, and Matchworks and Tea Factory in Liverpool.
Urban Splash founder Tom Bloxham recalled King as a “clever, crazy, fun, and eccentric individual”.
“He was one of the smartest architects I ever met and as close to genius as anyone I’ve had the fortune to know,” Bloxham added.
Seemed really well respected amongst the architectural fraternity both locally and nationally.
Being an innovative and visionary architect must be difficult in Liverpool as the city planners prefer to dumb down designs as a matter of course.
By Anonymous
I only met Dave a handful of times, all in casual, social event environments so I have to look for what came after to pay my respects.
Like many on here, working alongside shedKM and Jonny F, has always been about how far you can push the conventions. That DNA feels as strong today as it did when I was hanging around with the Splash and shedKM gangs in Concert Square… trying to be cool.
In Hazel, Ian, Mark, Darren and the whole shedKM bunch, we now have a fellow Employee-owned B Corp, that continues to deliver some of the very best architecture across the UK.
For me, they are the defining Scouse practice of our era and Dave King’s legacy is just going to keep growing, even though he’s left us.
To my shedKM friends, our thoughts are with you. Carry on carrying on that DNA!
By Pete Swift
I had the pleasure of knowing Dave during the many years I worked at Urban Splash in the early days. Dave was such an extraordinary man, funny, kind, eccentric. A pleasure to have known him.
By Angela Jones