At Able Partners, David leads design quality and innovation across all projects, driving the firm’s strategic growth and expanding its design capabilities. He integrates sustainability into every stage of design and delivery, fosters collaboration and co-creation with clients and communities, and advances the practice through design research and thought leadership. David also mentors team members, supports their professional development, and ensures projects align with the firm’s commitment to socially responsible architecture.

The Education Design Unit (EDU), a multidisciplinary team founded by Make Architects and led by David, is dedicated to creating sustainable and adaptable spaces for educational environments. As part of its research programme, EDU collaborated with AUDE on a strategic guide for optimising university estates. This guide provides actionable frameworks to support carbon reduction, space efficiency, and quality enhancement across campuses. Drawing from insights across nine UK universities, EDU introduces new methodologies, quality criteria, and case studies to help higher education institutions develop resilient, future-ready environments that meet evolving needs.

David is a Technical Tutor in Architecture at Central Saint Martins, bringing extensive experience from his architectural career. David guides and mentors students through technical concepts and sustainable practices, emphasising cultural sensitivity and detail-oriented project execution. His teaching style fosters collaboration and encourages students to integrate technical precision with creative vision, preparing them to make impactful contributions to the field of architecture.

David is a Partner at Make Architects, where he leads the education sector, contributing to major projects across education and research environments. His expertise spans masterplanning, urban design, and the creation of innovative educational facilities. David has played a vital role in projects including the Monica Partridge Building at the University of Nottingham, the Bushfield Camp Masterplan in Winchester. He is also involved in research-led design for educational facilities, enhancing spaces that support learning and development.Beyond his project work, David actively contributes to thought leadership, writing on topics such as urban design and the future of architecture. A dedicated mentor, he has held teaching roles, including as a Technical Tutor in Architecture at Central Saint Martins. His commitment to the profession extends to his work with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), where he served as Chair of RIBA London. David's extensive experience highlights his dedication to architectural excellence, sustainable innovation, and mentoring the next generation of architects.

David served as the Chair of RIBA London, representing the region on the RIBA Council. In this capacity, he advocated for the interests of London-based architects, contributing to the development of policies and initiatives that supported the architectural profession within the city. His role involved engaging with members, facilitating discussions on industry challenges, and promoting architectural excellence throughout London.

David Patterson served as Vice Chair of the RIBA West London Architects group, a network encompassing over 300 Chartered Practices and more than 2,000 members across Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing, Brent, Harrow, and Hillingdon. In this role, he collaborated with the Chair and committee members to support local architects, facilitate professional development, and promote architectural excellence within the West London region.

At the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, David contributed to the design development and implementation of 1,000 rooflights for the High Museum of Art expansion in Atlanta, providing unique natural light in the galleries. For the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, he was involved in the project’s design concepts, focusing on creating expansive gallery spaces and outdoor terraces that connect the museum with its urban surroundings