Richard Lauderdale Paxton (born 21 May 1956 in Cosford, Shropshire; died London 20 March 2006),[1] was an English architect, largely working in London.

Life and work

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Paxton was one of four children of a Royal Air Force officer and spent his childhood travelling around the world, Malaysia in particular. He attended Brighton and Hove Grammar School, followed by architecture school at Kingston Polytechnic.[1]

After graduating, Paxton worked for Ahrends, Burton & Koralek. In 1985 he established the practice of Paxton Locher, with Heidi Locher (whom he married in 1987).[1] He supplemented their income with part-time teaching at Kingston and the Bartlett School in London. The practice worked on a number of house projects in London, including a revamp of the home of author Douglas Adams. [1]

In 1996 the practice won a commission to design the new Soho Theatre. Their design incorporated a redundant synagogue as the theatre auditorium. It opened in 2000.[1]

Richard Paxton died in London on 20 March 2006, aged 49, on the verge of completing a low-energy house project in Hampstead, where he planned to celebrate his 50th birthday.[1]

Paxton designed homes featured on BBC Four's Living with the Future (aired on 15 January 2007 in the UK) and Channel 4's Grand Designs (aired on 2 April 2008 in the UK).

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Kenneth Powell (24 March 2006). "Richard Paxton: Architect of the Jerwood Space and Soho Theatre - as well as houses striking for their use of natural light". The Independent. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
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