David Dry RIBA, studied architecture in London where he started in practice with Katharina Halasz. As Dry Halasz Dixon they had offices in London, Manchester and Cambridge, with projects in the UK, Europe and Africa.
Author of several publications David was the instigator and joint author of the original “RIBA job Book” which became the standard work on project management.
IAN NAIRN, THEN DAILY TELEGRAPH ARCHITECTURAL CORRESPONDENT, WROTE OF THIS SCHEME,
"...These buildings are, simultaneously, timeless and up-to-the-minute.They look as though they had grown up with the trees around, yet all of the details belong firmly and sensitively to this time.This is a remarkable achievement; it must be how Frank Lloyd Wright’s first houses looked when they were new, blowing away all the false froth of styles without touching any of the essential rhythms..."
David's practice evolved into Dry Butlin Bicknell and he retired from this in 1990 and moved to Spain where he joined the architects’ institute in Granada, Andalucia. Now he practises as a design consultant, mainly specializing in private houses and their gardens, a type of work that he has always loved the most.
Avoiding attachment to any stylistic dogma he searches for an appropriate response to each client, finding an organic, ecological solution to each situation while paying homage to the wonderful architectural traditions of Andalucia with their Moorish roots. He believes that the spatial quality of the interiors and relationship to the landscape are as important as the building itself.
"Ultimately architecture should not be about bricks and concrete but about space and light and the love of life".
Below are a few examples of projects in Andalucia, mostly in association with Rafael Peralta.
The architect's own house
Built around a series of courtyards and using the monopitch tiled roofs typical of the area, this was his first project in Spain.
The later bedroom extension windows were inspired by the house windows of old Baghdad, that beautiful city that was.
House for an Algerian family
House in the mountains
This project was completed in 2005. The house has power generated by solar panels and a wind turbine. Water is from springs.
The sloping site allows three floor levels. The two main bedrooms are next to the upper gardens. They give onto a balcony that crosses one end of the double height living / dining room. The guest bedrooms have doors onto the lower gardens and pool, below the living / dining room level.
House on a narrow steep slope
The clients wanted a series of simple spaces to dislay their classic modern furniture and art.
