Jeremy Dixon

Dixon in 2015

Sir Jeremy Dixon (born 31 May 1939) is a British architect and Principal of the London practice Dixon Jones.^[1]

Career

Following school days at Merchant Taylors, Dixon was trained at the Architectural Association. There he met, in the same year group, his future wife and working partner Fenella Dixon née Clemens.

In 1973 they won together the competition for the Northamptonshire County Offices (assisted by Edward Jones) and were responsible for a number of London projects, mostly housing, including the terrace of dwellings at St Marks Road. In partnership with Bill Jack of BDP, they won the Royal Opera House competition in 1984.

The Jeremy/Fenella working association lasted until 1989 when Dixon was joined by Edward Jones, initially to complete the Royal Opera House. The new practice went on to complete a series of cultural and university projects including the National Portrait Gallery, The National Gallery, Said Business School and Exhibition Road together with projects that combine commercial and cultural functions such as Kings Place and Quadrant 3. More recently the practice has been involved with residential developments including the masterplan for Chelsea Barracks.

Most of the work is located in London and both Dixon and Jones have a particular interest in the history and evolution of cities and in particular London. The work generally speaking takes account of the historical context as an approach to creating buildings on sensitive urban sites.

He was knighted in the 2000 New Year Honours.

Projects

Reconstruction of the Tatlin Tower – Hayward Gallery London 1971-1972

Northamptonshire County Offices (unbuilt first prize) 1973

Housing St Marks Road – London 1975-1979

Tate Gallery coffee shop and restaurant – Millbank London 1981 -1984

Royal Opera House – Covent Garden London 1984 -1999

Henry Moore Institute – Leeds 1988 – 1993

Darwin College Study Centre – Cambridge 1989 – 1994

Venice Bus Station (unbuilt first prize) 1990

Sainsburys Superstore – Plymouth 1991 – 1994

National Portrait Gallery – London 1994 – 2000

Somerset House – London 1998 – 2000

Saïd Business School – Oxford 1998 – 2012

Kings Place – London 2002 – 2008

Exhibition Road – London 2003 – 2012

Quadrant 3 for The Crown Estate – London 2006 – 2011

Masterplan for Chelsea Barracks – London 2010 - 2012

Reconstruction of the Tatlin Tower – Royal Academy London 2011 – 2012

Personal life

Dixon was married to Fenella Clemens until they separated in 1989. They had three children. He is now in a long term relationship with Julia Somerville. He lives in London.

References