We heard a talk by Paul Davis, founder of PDP architects , who is best known for rebuilding the Duke of York Square, Saatchi Gallery and Cadogan Hall – as well as much of Sloane Street.
His childhood in leafy Dulwich lead to teen years hanging out on the King’s Road, legendary gigs and lightshows in the late ‘60s, followed by perilous travels across North Africa and Iran.
Setting up in practice as an architect in London, a new mews for the Grosvenor Estate, and friendships in the Rock n’ Roll world, turned into commissions for recording studios, stage sets and homes for Roxy Music, Duran Duran, and Beatle Ringo Starr.
The reinvention of hundreds of historic buildings in Chelsea and Westminster on behalf of Cadogan, Grosvenor, the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Brompton Hospital and other major estates, earned Paul the nickname “Mr Chelsea.”
He has written a book called “Mr Chelsea” – A Life in Rock n’ Roll and Architecture from The King’s Road to Tokyo published by Prospero Press. www.mrchelsea.co.uk
