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.
Team
Awards
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RIBA South Award for Cairn’s Tower, 2017
Civic Trust Awards Regional Finalist 2016
Brick Awards 2017
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Green Apple Awards Nomination 2005
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RIBA London Award Shortlist 2012
Hackney Design Award 2012
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Civic Trust Award Commendation 2005
RIBA Conservation Commendation 2005
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Building for Life Silver Commendation
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Warwick District Council Design Award 2006
Civic Trust Awards Special Mention 2007
The Wood Awards Highly Commended 2006
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RIBA National Award 2012
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Islington Society Award for Architecture and Conservation
2006
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RFAC Building of the Year Shortlist 2001
Civic Trust Awards Commendation 2002
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RIBA South Award 2007
RICS Awards Project of the Year 2007
Civic Trust Outstanding Centre Vision Award
Best Hotel & Leisure Project Award 2007
RICS South East Best Regeneration Scheme
Mail on Sunday Mixed Use Development
MIPIM Best Hotel and Leisure Project
Oxford Preservation Trust Award 2007
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LB Islington Award for Good Conservation
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RIBA National Award 2002
ADAPT Trust Access Award Shortlist 2002
Civic Trust Awards Commendation 2002
Stone Federation Awards Commendation 2002
Tylers and Bricklayers Special Award 2002
Architectural Ironmongers Guild Award 2003
National Stone Craft Awards Commendation
Landscape Institute 75th Anniversary Award
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Europa Nostra Award 1995
Civic Trust Award 1996
Interpret Britain Award 1995
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RIBA National Award, 2017
RIBA East Award 2017
RIBA East Conservation Award 2017
RIBA East Project Architect of the Year
Award 2017
St Albans Civic Society Award 2010
Hertfordshire Design Awards Special Conservation Award 2018
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RIBA National Award 2012
RIBA London and English Heritage Best Building in a Historic
Context 2012
BDA Awards Best Architectural Achievement
Brick Awards Best Refurbishment Finalist 2011
European Hospitality Awards Hotel of the Year
Tylers & Bricklayers Award Commendation
LPA Historic Building Management Award 2012
LABC Best Commercial Development 2012
RIBA London Conservation Award list 2012
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RIBA National Award 2012
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Civic Trust Award 2018
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Thornton Education Trust – Inspiring Future Generations, 2023 Awards
World Architecture Festival Awards, December 2023
Tower Hamlets Government Property Award
Civic Trust Awards, Shortlisted, November 2023
New London Awards, 2023, Shortlisted
The Building Awards, 2023, Shortlisted
AJ Architecture Awards, 2023, Shortlisted
Brick Awards, 2023, Shortlisted
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Shortlisted RIBA London Award 2022
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Georgian Group Award 2010
Landscape Institute Commendation 2010
Georgian Group Award for the Restoration of a Georgian
Garden or Landscape 2010
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Civic Trust Awards Commendation 1989
Mansell Refurbishment Commendation 1989
London Electricity Energy Efficiency Award 1989