DAVID SHAW NICHOLLS
ARTIST . ARCHITECT . DESIGNER
David Shaw Nicholls is an architect and designer. He has spent over 40 years in private practice, turning rich ideas into real product.
As a young lad born in a Scotland, he practiced drawing and painting. Design became his focus and in particular furniture, its production and business. His projects took him across the world, where he oversees locations in New York and Italy, production in India and Nepal. As well as his rug and textile company, he is involved in applied research into New Architecture and Up-Scaling related redundant assets, Furniture design, Fine art, Printmaking and Pattern manufacture for the Interior and Exterior Construction environment.
1959
David Shaw Nicholls (dsn) was born in 1959 in a mining village named Bothwellhaugh. A Hamilton coal pit-head nicknamed “The Palace”, now under a man-made lake, hence Atlantis re-born “under Strathclyde Park”, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
David Shaw Nicholls, “small yin” center circa 1(one) year old, 1960
1972
David Shaw Nicholls attends Bellshill Academy Grammar School, Lanarkshire, where he is encouraged to follow his creative sense by his “art teacher”, the venerable Mr. Beattie. As such, he (Beattie) served as the road to survival.
2017, after 45 years, he is invited back to address the 400 or so, graduating students at Bellshill Academy and present “The world is your oyster and do what is in your heart; do not yield to peer pressure.” Jury is out on that, on a daily basis”
1974
Duke of Hamilton Mausoleum, Hamilton, Scotland by David Shaw Nicholls, 1974. Pen and Ink drawing.
1974
At 15 years of age, David Shaw Nicholls commenced evening painting classes at Glasgow School of Art in the class of William Crosby. This was a giant leap for DSN and his two years at the place of his dreams. “An intimate, yet vast labyrinth of beauty, a fine piece of living architecture. The painting studios diffuse with light.” DSN.
In the picture: Glasgow School of Art, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, architect.
Note: the School of Art is being partially re-built due to an accidental fire, which engulfed the entire East wing. November 2016.
A second blaze destroys the entire building in June 2018
1974
The Glasgow School of Art, David Shaw Nicholls attends life studies class and draws the students.
In the picture: Glasgow School of Art - “life class” studio, 1974. Drawing by David Shaw Nicholls. Pen and ink.
1974
Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland.
In the class of Sir. Robin Philipson, mainly looking to “Humanities” and asking why design? No furniture projects for now. Architecture beckons, but first – Begin afresh and get to work.
In the picture: Edinburgh College of Art Studio, 1976, “working” drawing by David Shaw Nicholls.
1977
“In the evening at Edinburgh College of Art.”
Kate Blee 1977, “The Design Matrix”, a stage set. Acrylic on canvas.
1978
“DESIGN”. Furniture design at Edinburgh College of Art. Left college after second term to form Asflexi Ltd and manufacture minimalist furniture he designed. Jake Harvey permitted the prototype to be welded in the ECA sculpture lab. Launched at Edinburgh Festival, Scotland in 1978. Invited by the Prescote Gallery, along with John Makepeace and the British Designer Craftsmen launched the inaugural furniture exhibition at The Edinburgh City Arts Centre. Subsequently the Fine Arts Society in Glasgow, curated by Roger Billcliffe. A walk down the road to De Marco Gallery and Joseph Beuys was setting up his installation (just saw him with Domus Magazine in Milan with Pierre Restany, verifying the decoration of Domus Showroom on Via Mazzoni, Milano.
1978
ASFLEXI FURNITURE COMPANY
Nicholls - Asflexi two-seater, presented at The City Arts Centre. 1978
“Asflexi on the road”.
1978
Visits Count Panza Di Biumo, Varese, Italy to evaluate his collection of American Artists for possible re-positioning in Edinburgh. The Getty Museum, Los Angeles, designed by Richard Meier became the ultimate destination. Credit to Richard De Marco, The De Marco Gallery, Edinburgh for his energy and support.
Villa Panza Gardens and redesigns Leonardo Da Vinci studies as sketched by “DSN”. (Moonlight at Panza Palazzo, Varese). David Shaw Nicholls sits with Arthur M. Sackler in Edinburgh 1978. We discussed “showing art “ and the challenges as he conceived the Metropolitan Museum, New York, extension.
1981
New York City as he receives a design scholarship from The Royal Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, London. Visits NYC and America for the first time and is a guest of Willem De Kooning. Time with Michael Graves, Ward Bennet, Philip Johnson and George Nelson, The Vignelli’s and Larry Cadwallader of Knoll and George Beylerian of Steelcase.
Discusses “fonts and smiles”, “DSN” guest in the home studio of Milton Glaser, New York City. “Love and Hate it: ”NYC”, every day.”
Guest in Willem de Kooning loft in New York, “His Brush in the Corner” (top) and “Main Room Landscaping, effort” (below).
“I swear I never watched the T.V.” “DSN”
Drawings by David Shaw Nicholls. Pen on paper, in the NYC sketch Pad. Circa 1981.
1981 - 83
Visits Count Panza Di Biumo, Varese, Italy to evaluate his collection of American Artists for possible re-pExhibition at The Fine Arts Society, Glasgow, curated by Roger Billcliffe, “Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Modern Movement”.
Re-connects with Ward Bennet, (Sunar, USA) at the opening reception and they head-off to The Hill House, - “Toshi” Mackintosh Appreciation Society is formed in Glasgow. 1981
High Tech Showroom, Milan. Furniture Exhibition and the Salone di Mobile 1983.
Many young designers first show of furniture. Philip Starck, Jasper Morrison, Ron Arad, James Irvine.
ositioning in Edinburgh. The Getty Museum, Los Angeles, designed by Richard Meier became the ultimate destination. Credit to Richard De Marco, The De Marco Gallery, Edinburgh for his energy and support.
Villa Panza Gardens and redesigns Leonardo Da Vinci studies as sketched by “DSN”. (Moonlight at Panza Palazzo, Varese). David Shaw Nicholls sits with Arthur M. Sackler in Edinburgh 1978. We discussed “showing art “ and the challenges as he conceived the Metropolitan Museum, New York, extension.
1983
Asflexi 2-seater unit and matching low table. Fine Arts Society. Harry Bertoia (Diamond Chair), Elizabeth Frink (Seated Figure) and Elizabeth Blackadder (Painting), photographed by Nicholls.
1983
1983
“One-on-one” with Ettore Sottsass Jnr. in London at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Boilerhouse Design Gallery. The London launch for Memphis and this encounter, a turning point for David Shaw Nicholls.
“Letter to the young Designer” Allessandro Mendini DOMUS NO.650
In the Picture: “Portal Cabinet”, by David Shaw Nicholls, Edinburgh Studio.
1983-84
In 1983-84 “David Shaw Nicholls” attends Domus Academy (the year of its inception) where he graduated under Ettore Sottsass Jnr in the course of Urban Architecture (Arredo Urbano).
Active in “DA” workshops by Achillie Castiglione, Clino Castelli, Gianfranco Ferre, Rem Koolhaas, Rob Krier, Mario Bellini, Pierre Restany, Andrea Branzi, Toshiyuki Kita, El- Wakil.
Factory and Studio Visits: Kartell, B&B Italia, Giorgetto Giugiaro, Olivetti and Pininfarina Spa.
In the picture: David Shaw Nicholls Master thesis published in Domus Magazine
1984
Left: Director Andrea Branzi on stage at “Domus” drawn by “DSN” 1984
Right: Ettore Sottsass Jnr. ”on the stage at DA” drawn by “DSN” 1984
1984-85
Autumn of 1984/1985 joined SOTTSASS ASSOCIATI (Sottsass Associates). Specifically collaborated with Ettore Sottsass on the project Ponte Dell Academia for the III Venice Biennale of Architecture. Model maker for Carlo Scarpa, Igor Silic made the pear wood model, which is in the collection of Museum of Parma, Italy.
© Copyright Sottsass Associates
Also in Design on right picture: Floor Lamp, Milan 1985.
1985
Based in Milan for five years he collaborated with various designers, including Prospero Rasulo and Nanda Vigo on Bar Montmartre.
In the picture: Bar Montmartre, Brera, Milan.
1988
‘Dsn’ starts with his first Apple computer 1986.
Floor Textile design and NICHOLLS carpets are born in 1988. He’s off to India and Nepal. Fine weave floor textiles, Hanover and Atlanta designs. From concept in computer to ancient craft becoming a beautiful modern fabric. Maui and classic Lima and Abacus, Badoura to follow.
Limited edition museum prints of carpet textile designs. Atlanta, Hanover, Vegas, North Shore pieces.
1988
Meets with Zaha Hadid in her London practice and completes the re-design of Ponte Dell Academia proposal. Leaves London to interview with Frank Gehry Architects in Los Angeles. Carries with him a and “pseudo” recommendation letter handwritten by Ettore Sottsass to his friend “Caro Frank, Ciao, come stai….?”
That same period whilst traveling through New York to L.A. the father of “dsn” died. He returned briefly to Scotland in 1988.
He returned to New York City, which he loved where he opened his design studio in Tribeca, working and living with his family.
In the picture: Collage for Zaha Hadid meet, in her London studio.
1992
In New York City David Shaw Nicholls launches BEAST, a furniture company. Launches at ICFF
Manufactured by craftsmen in long Island City, New York. The skills, facilities and finish pigments of the designer Tommy Parzinger and the work as branded as Parzinger Originals. Circa 1950- 70’s, respectfully incorporated in BEAST development.
In the picture: Aston Credenza, Charcoal on paper.
1992
The skills, facilities and finish pigments of the designer Tommy Parzinger and the work as branded as Parzinger Originals. Circa 1950- 70’s, respectfully incorporated in BEAST development.
In the picture: BEAST Arno table + dining chair
1994
David Shaw Nicholls makes multiple travels to India and Nepal establishing hand weaving carpet and textile production of his designs. 1994 – Present. The concept was simple, “modern classic” for a new carpet industry. Roscoe Award for Sikri Collection and ICFF New York Editors Annual award. Opens showrooms in New York and Miami Design District and activates a USA national distribution network.
In the picture: Hon. Sonam Norbu, Tibetan Carpet Expert working with David Shaw Nicholls at Kathmandu, Nepal 1994
2001
DSN showroom opens in SOHO, Broadway & Prince Street, New York. Over 300 exclusive DSN designs and production worldwide.
All just prior to the WTC attacks of 09/11. Street closed, showroom mothballed. Respectfully.
In the picture (top): DAVID SHAW NICHOLLS NYC showroom, SOHO, New York City.
In the picture (bottom): MAUI TIBETAN CARPET.
Runner 3-0’ x 12-0’
2006
ARCHITECTURE:
The re-visit of Hearst Castle (II), San Simeon,
Ca. USA.
Home of William Randolph Hearst
In the picture: “HEARST-on-the-HUDSON”, private residence for Patty H, Bernie and family.
Not built. Spa, Scottsdale Az.
2016
Anti-Seismic Architecture, Explored in Tuscany studio, Italy, on the back of the tragic earthquake in Kathmandu. 2016. A factory flattened, but worse, families pained to personal loss and total destruction.
In the picture: All stabilized buildings float and move on cushioned foundations.
2016
Tsunami Compliant Architecture and the problems with global oceanic sea rise are addressed. The highest, strongest wave is channeled over and through the self -draining complex.
2017
In 2017 maximum credit to The Glasgow Print Studio and the collaboration with David Shaw Nicholls to develop copper plate etchings program and possibly the world’s largest etching plate 20’ x 60” ; drawing of Camelback Mountain, Arizona. Absolutely stunning.
As of today, the “workshop” video of “The Etching Process” is under editing, to be presented spring 2019 > davidshawnicholls.com
In the picture: CAMELBACK “Casement: The Original Copper plate etching captured
Within a class etched case, inspired by the optical research of Leonardo
Da Vinci , circa 1540(Site “DSN” Website/Category/Printmaking/Etching).
2018
Sees the launch of his “Classic Modern” Carpet Collection and a totally bespoke opportunity to launch a minimum group of designs. "Abacus, Athena, Badoura , Constantinople, Lima, Maui, Tzar, Prado" In the picture (top): PRADO carpet design for Philip Johnson Architect. In the picture (bottom): MoMa > Museum of Modern Art, New York. “The Design Encyclopedia”
2019
2019 Chivalry Genome Carpet Collection, where each carpet clone is intentionally planned to be unique. 256 products serialized and produced in fine hand knot weave, one name, one color artwork by design for one.
2012-2022
“The Intense Painting and Drawing Years.
2012 -2022”
Camelback Mountain, Phoenix 2014. Pen and Ink.
The Gathering, Phoenix 2014. Pen and Ink
The Boy and the Beast, New York 2015. Pen and Ink.
La Giostra di Simone, Montisi , “Via Umberto I” 2016. Barino Umbellico del’Mondo, Tuscany. 2016, Pastel on Paper. Progression of studies.
