Practice Overview

Under the direction of Richard Griffiths, the practice has established a leading reputation for the repair and creative adaptation of historic buildings to accommodate new or extended uses, and for the design of new buildings that respond sensitively to their historic context. The practice is especially noted for its approach to the layering of historic buildings, revealing and celebrating the various historic layers, and adding a distinctive new layer to serve present and future needs in a holistic and sustainable manner.

The practice carries out work in all aspects of the historic environment, including the preparation of Condition Surveys, Conservation Plans and Development Plans, and has an excellent record of obtaining grant aid from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other major funders. 25 years’ experience in managing conservation projects, accreditation in architectural conservation (AABC), and certification under ISO9001 and 14001, ensure that the highest of standards of quality, time and cost control are maintained at all times.

Richard Griffiths

MA (Cantab) Dip Arch Grad Dipl Cons (AA) RIBA AABC

Richard Griffiths studied engineering and architecture at Cambridge University, and founded Richard Griffiths Architects in 1993 after working with some of the country’s leading conservation architects.  The practice has established itself as one of the foremost practices in the conservation field, with a particular reputation for new design in historic contexts. 

In 1989 he completed the Architectural Association Building Conservation Course, and in 1993 attended the Attingham Summer School for the Study of the English Country House. In 1994 he was awarded a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship to study contemporary developments in the conservation of historic buildings in the USA.  Richard Griffiths was a committee member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings from 1993 to 1999 and a Trustee of the Churches Conservation Trust from 1999 to 2005. He has lectured in Building Conservation at York University, at the RIBA in the National Trust Lecture Series and at courses run by the SPAB and the Georgian Group. He has also lectured extensively on the application of the Disability Discrimination Act to historic buildings. He has acted as consultant to English Heritage on grants casework, and as Expert Witness at Planning Inquiries, and was a member of the RIBA Awards group from 2004 to 2012. He was Cathedral Architect at Southwark Cathedral for 15 years, has been Cathedral Architect at St Albans Cathedral for 17 years, and has acted as consultant to other major architectural practices in connection with sensitive projects for the conversion of major historic buildings and historic areas to new uses, including the St Pancras Hotel, the Kings Cross Granary Building and Regent Quarter, and the conversion of the former Oxford Prison to a new quarter for Oxford.

Please click here to download Richard's CV.

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