Born in Bristol 1936. His father Tom was an accountant. He was also a fine artist and a church organist and continued playing until the age of 95. Patrick was educated at Bristol Cathedral School, 1947 1953. He attended an RIBA part-time course at the Merchant Venturers` College whilst working at Burrough and Hannam Chartered Architects. He completed a diploma course at the Royal West of England College’s School of Architecture in 1960, and joined E S & A Robinson, designing commercial buildings in Kent and Bristol.