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Elektra House in Whitechapel was his first solo project and his


second commission was transforming a derelict building in East London into a work studio and living space for his Royal College of Arts friend the artist Chris Ofili. Refreshingly honest about the effect the recession had on his


company, David says his company’s teetering on the brink of financial collapse taught him a vital lesson. “2008 was a really tough year. I was overwhelmed with all the work I had between 2000 and 2003 and that was the big mistake as I wasn’t looking for any new commissions. So when the recession came all the projects I had on my books were all stopped. All the money I’d saved had to be ploughed back into the business. We didn’t go bankrupt, but we went into CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangement) for a couple of months as I didn’t want to destroy my company’s name. What was amazing was the name had become established, so even though there was a terrible recession in Europe I was still getting work from America, Asia and the Middle East.”


Four years later business is booming and the David says the


next decade is about Africa. He’s working with governments in Gabon, Nigeria and Ghana. “We’ve opened an office in Accra, so finally to have New York, London and Ghana is the completion of the triangle,” he beams. “Africa is the future. I recently did a project with Kofi Annan and getting to know him has been incredible as he’s an international figure. He’s become like an uncle to me and it’s been completely overwhelming working with him.” David’s passion for his work is obvious and he lights up


talking about commissions such as the Bernie Grant Centre and the Stephen Lawrence Foundation, but he is also takes his status as a role model very seriously. “A lot of these firms are hiring black architects at senior


positions and that’s so nice to see. This is what I wanted when I was younger. It’s really rewarding when I receive emails from mothers telling me how I’ve inspired their children. Now that’s wonderful.”


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