Designing homes that feel like you, because we know there's no place like yours.
Crafting spaces since 1985
We are a design-focused practice in Richmond. Over decades we have learned to balance beautiful spaces with planning rules and the character of the street, weaving the contemporary into old houses so the result feels timeless, and built around the people who live in it.
Established 1985Residential design across West London
RIBA Plan of Work 2020The industry standard, tailored to you
18-20 Kew RoadRichmond upon Thames
Existing features kept and celebrated, the contemporary woven in.
Homes designed from your brief, through planning to completion.
Designed to fit the house and the street around it.
Interior and exterior remodelling of the home you have.
Our RIBA chartered residential architects advise you at every stage, while staying true to your vision.
We cover the creative and the practical. Working on your behalf, we oversee the logistics and paperwork of your renovation or new build: planning negotiations, building contractors and surveys. We work closely with both planning and building control to get the best result.
Where your project needs specialists, they come from a network who regularly work as part of our design team:
Homes we have designed across Richmond and West London. Open any project to see all its photos.
We use the RIBA Plan of Work 2020 as our framework. No two projects are alike, so its flexible format lets us tailor our service to you and your home while keeping to the industry standard. In short, it comes down to three stages.
Stage 1
We listen to your ideas and needs and make sure we are a good match for each other. We meet to talk them through, make a first inspection of the site, then advise on feasibility, likely fees and timescales, and send you a proposal.
We bring in any specialist consultants your project needs, and undertake or arrange a measured survey so 'As Existing' plans can be drawn, researching the building and any policies that will shape the design.
Stage 2
We develop the design with you from your brief, balancing your hopes with your budget, timescales, structure and planning rules. We share ideas in conversation, by email, on Pinterest boards and face to face until we agree a final design.
Stage 3
We prepare the building contract and manage it for you. We visit the site regularly to inspect the work and check the contractor's progress before certifying payments.
When the work is complete we inspect again and issue a certificate of Practical Completion. At the end of the defects period we carry out a final inspection and agree the final account.
"I have used John Rich Architects on a number of projects over many years and have found them to be efficient, attentive, knowledgeable and to have a strong and successful relationship with Richmond planning and Listed buildings officers. A notable recent project was to obtain planning permission and Listed building consent for the complete renovation of a Georgian Grade II* Listed house to create a 4 bedroom family home in Sion Rd Twickenham."
"We have used John Rich Architects for the interior and exterior remodelling of our previous property and our current house. Their attention to detail is exemplary from the initial consultations through to design detailing, specifications and project management. We always felt we were in good hands throughout the process."
Established in 1985, we specialise in residential design in Kew, Richmond, Twickenham and beyond, across West London.
We put great emphasis on detailing and on delivering finished buildings of architectural integrity.
Director
Athena began her career in Queenstown, New Zealand, designing high-end holiday homes for international clients, before joining the practice in London. As Director she leads projects that blend considered design with a strong sense of place.
Founder
John studied at the Brixton School of Building and the Architectural Association School, and founded the practice after a highly regarded career in the GLC Department of Architecture. Raising his own family in west London taught him how contemporary family life and protected architecture can work together.
Architect
Clare joined in early 2013 and has worked on projects from small houses to large commercial schemes. She completed her Masters of Architecture at Kingston University in 2016 and became a registered architect in 2022.
Tell us about your home and what you have in mind. We'll prepare a proposal and walk you through every step of the process.
Studio18-20 Kew Road, Richmond upon Thames TW9 2NA
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Phone020 8940 0416
HoursMonday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Instagram@johnricharchitects