Alumni Connections
The Building Blocks of Passion, Soul and Creativity:
Drex Patterson, Tatnall School ’69 It’s been a while since Drex Patterson, RA ’69 roamed the halls of The Tatnall School; however, there is no doubt in this architect’s mind that his education at Tatnall was a building block to a great future. The 1969 alumnus lives with his wife Susan in La Jolla, California, but he recalls fondly where he came from back east.
Drafting a Passionate, Creative Life Patterson, a successful business owner, principal architect at San Diego-based Island Architects and Pratt Institute graduate, continues to grow the creative roots first nourished at Tatnall by shaping dream homes across California, the country and the world. “Our firm always has been considered more of a family we want to nurture, cultivate and inspire through challenging our emerging talents and strengths,” says Patterson. Patterson’s career highlights include a chance internship under the King of Nepal’s architect in 1972; designing a private residence on Little Saint James, an island of the U.S. Virgin Islands;
30 :: Tatnall Today :: Spring 2016
and completing Mitt and Ann Romney’s beachfront home. “The exposure of that adventure in Nepal never ceases to inspire me,” Patterson says.
The Original Foundation: The Tatnall School From novels read to music created, Patterson recalls fondly how the teachers and administration at Tatnall engendered a sense of creativity and drive during his time at the school. Some of his major influences include Mrs. Stephens, Mrs. Hadley, Mrs. Gallagher, Mrs. Kaufmann, Mr. Pratt, Mr. Clark and Mr. Felch. Of his passion, Patterson recalls his senior year English teacher, Mr. Mingus. “He challenged me to write my thesis on Le Corbusier, which helped galvanize my interest,” says Patterson. In the business of architecture, the base foundation can’t be forgotten—and Drex Patterson has not forgotten the cornerstone that The Tatnall School afforded him.