PRP announces with deep regret the death of co-founder and Architect David Parkes last Thursday, 23 October 2008.

David is best remembered as one of Europe’s foremost residential architects and renowned for his contribution to housing in this country and abroad. He co-founded architectural practice Phippen Randall and Parkes in 1963, now PRP.

His key achievements include designing Grade II listed The Ryde in Hatfield in 1963, which was the brainchild of Michael Baily, the Times’ shipping correspondent. This project also won the prestigious Historic Award at the Housing Design Awards 2006.

David, who died age 77, is survived by his wife, Gloria nee Biancoli and their three children, Maria, Paul and Matthew.

There will be an informal celebration of David's life in the Sculpture Gallery in Woburn Abbey[1] on 4 November from 2pm to 5pm. To attend this event or to receive the full obituary, please contact vanessa.clarke@prparchitects.co.uk.

PRP chairman, Andy von Bradsky, concluded:

“The Directors and I are all very sad to learn of David’s death and our thoughts at this time are with his wife Gloria and his children, to whom he was devoted throughout his life. As one of the founders of our practice, he was the social ‘glue’ that held the practice together from 1963 to 1993 when he retired.

“As well as his professional commitment and achievements, David inspired many of us by his enthusiasm for life and by his great humanity. I shall remember him as a true gentleman, a diplomat, polite, pleasant and full of respect for everyone he encountered. He contributed much to the culture of the practice that survives to this day and leaves a lasting legacy for the company.

“His contribution to our success was a full understanding of housing issues through research and development combined with a deep commitment to the clients and end users he served. He made many friends throughout the housing world and beyond and was an excellent mentor to many who passed through the company.

“He was dedicated to the continuing success of the practice, stayed close to its activities long after his retirement and leaves a rich legacy for future generations. He will be greatly missed by his many friends at PRP, past and present.”

David Henry Parkes (1931 – 2008)

Key achievements

· York University

One of the wave of new universities built in the 1960’s, York was built using the CLASP industrialised building method designed for school building. David, working for Robert Matthew Johnson Marshall (RMJM), developed this method for all the university buildings as well as being involved in other aspects of the design.


· Hillingdon Town Hall

An icon of the late 1960’s, David was the Associate responsible for the project at RMJM. Essentially a modern office building housing the Borough’s official and administrative functions it has in an intricately detailed brick exterior respecting its suburban setting and making it an early example of a contextual design approach

· Grade II listed The Ryde, Hatfield (1963)

(Historic Award, Housing Design Awards 2006)

The brainchild of Michael Baily, The Times’ shipping correspondent, The Ryde at Hatfield for PRP comprises 28 single-story family homes, clubroom. Adjoining play space and a tennis court for Cockaigne Housing Group

· Liscombe House, Bracknell

One of the early sheltered housing schemes designed in this country by PRP, Liscombe House was born of the needs of the many older people often found living on their own in very unsuitable council houses. One bedroom flats and bedsits were provided, each with WC and kitchenette together with a communal lounge. Bathrooms were provided as shared facility necessitating a walk along the access corridor.

Email: lisa.ward@prparchitects.co.uk