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Richard Soundy obituary: a master of detailing with an enviably 3D brain

Words:
Irini Kilaiditi-Corrigan

A rare talent with a gift for solving complex problems, he led the superstructure team at Lloyds of London before co-founding CSK Architects, where he was a mentor to many

Richard Soundy.
Richard Soundy.

Richard Soundy, who has died aged 73, was a prolific and accomplished architect, an influential mentor and co-founder of CSK Architects, responsible for a wide variety of award winning public and private buildings in the UK and abroad.

Much of Richard’s early years were spent overseas, as his father’s work took the family to India, but he attended boarding school in Somerset before enrolling at the Architectural Association. There he found his calling, and met his lifelong friend and future business partner John Corrigan.

Together they entered several significant competitions, including Northampton County Hall and the Royal Mint, and formed the AA Rugby Club. And on a trip with the Athens School of Architecture to survey the settlement around the monastery in Patmos they met me, completing the dynamic trio that would become Corrigan + Soundy+ Kilaiditi.

While still at the AA, Richard worked for James Cubitt & Partners, and in 1973 he was awarded a secondment to the RCA’s Department of Industrial Design – a testament to his exceptional talent and capabilities. This experience not only expanded his skills as a master of detailing but also solidified his growing reputation in the field.

Elephant Lane, Rotherhithe.
Elephant Lane, Rotherhithe.

Exposed concrete expert

From 1975 Richard worked for Piano & Rogers, and later the Richard Rogers Partnership, concentrating his efforts on the Patscenter in Cambridge and on competitions, including the winning entry for Lloyds of London. He then led the superstructure team on Lloyd’s, quickly becoming an expert in the use of exposed concrete.

Richard was invited to become a partner at RRP, but in 1983 made the bold decision to go into practice with his two close friends, John and I, basing ourselves in Berkshire. The practice quickly won a competition for a mixed-use scheme at Elephant Lane – part of the regeneration of London’s Docklands – and got first place in a national competition for the total refurbishment of The Building Centre. A year later, it achieved a third national competition win with Holyoake House in Surrey Quays.

In 1985 CSK’s work was selected for RIBA’s ‘40 Under 40’ travelling exhibition, and in 1987 the partners were invited to present the work in RIBA’s Architects and Their Work series. From the outset, it was a multifaceted practice, carrying out a wide range of residential, commercial, industrial, educational and healthcare schemes.

Richard’s interest in innovative construction techniques contributed to a specialism in complex commissions, often working with historic buildings. Notably, that included work locally for Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College and a number of projects at Eton College, which won RIBA Awards in 2003 and 2006.

Sketch of Holyoake House, Surrey Quays, by Richard Soundy.
Sketch of Holyoake House, Surrey Quays, by Richard Soundy.

Thinking in three dimensions

Throughout his career Richard excelled in technical design. He had a 3D brain which most Revit users would envy. He could pinpoint the difficulty in a complex detail within seconds – a skill he was happy to share, mentoring his employees to better understand materials and the craft of putting them together.

Over many years Richard’s long-term relationship with the Howard de Walden Estate helped to shape Marylebone, where he produced a number of outstanding buildings including the remodeling and extension of 42 Portland Place and 51-52 Welbeck Street, along with the first new facade on Wimpole Street in 60 years. Acting as a consultant to the Karma Group, an international hotel and resort company, took him to Goa, Bali, Germany and France.

In collaboration with his son, Sam, he designed an innovative trauma healing centre for orphans of the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka. His love for the country led him to build his own energy-efficient house in Colombo, using local materials and techniques.

As part of his life on the island Richard also actively supported the Nuffield School for the Deaf and Blind in Jaffna. Such initiatives, together with the work of CSK and Richard’s generosity in sharing his knowledge with others have left a remarkable legacy. He is survived by his two sons, Sam and Jonathan.

Irini Corrigan-Kilaiditi is a co-founder of CSK Architects