Associated Architects is saddened to announce the passing of Malcolm Booth MBE, one of the three founding partners of the practice.

Malcom, who jointly founded the practice in 1968 with Walter Thompson and Richard Slawson, worked up until his retirement in 2000. He began his career at John Madin & Partners as a technician, training at Birmingham School of Architecture, where he also taught while at Bromilow While and Smeeton Architects before forming Associated Architects.

Malcolm was one of the best draughtsmen of his generation and he was a proud recipient of the Pugin Prize for drawing.

He would go on to design a diverse range of projects including, the RIBA award-winning Walled Garden at Brockhampton, Brown’s Restaurant Worcester (also a RIBA Award winner), Crown Courts at both Stafford and Worcester and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Centre, with client Sir Simon Rattle.

He was awarded an MBE in recognition for his services to Architecture.

In the 1960s the partnership agreement could not envisage any partner being around beyond the age of 60 which in some respects prompted an early retirement but also created an opportunity for 10 years of individual practice at Malvern Architects away from the stress of running a large practice. Malcolm owned vintage cars and continued to share a social life outside of architecture with the original partners.

He retired to Malvern with his wife, Rose, and enjoyed watercolour painting; he is survived by his four children. 

The current Directors and staff of Associated Architects send their condolences to the Booth family, Malcolm’s friends, former partners, and colleagues.