Skilled British Artisans Specializing in Country Home Designs
In the realm of architectural excellence, Britain stands tall, with a multitude of renowned firms and individual architects making their mark. The AJ100 list, an annual compilation of the UK's most influential architectural practices, serves as a testament to this fact. While the full list for 2025 isn't publicly available, HLM Architects, ranked 22nd, demonstrates a commitment to sustainable architecture and steady growth [1].
Among the notable names gracing the landscape of British architecture, several firms specialise in the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings. Benjamin Tindall Architects, based in Edinburgh's Old Town, is renowned for its repairs and alterations to historic buildings [2]. GRAS, with a focus on the conservation of historic buildings across the UK and Ireland, shares a similar mission [2].
Craig Hamilton Architects, led by Craig Hamilton and Dr Gail Kenton, is an award-winning practice known for progressive Classical architecture [3]. Hoare, Ridge & Morris designs alterations and additions to country, townhouses, and new buildings with traditional character [4]. Stuart Martin Architects specialises in one-off houses in the Classical and vernacular tradition and in sympathetic conservation work across southern England [5].
Marc Deaves Architect focuses on work in the Cotswolds and Home Counties, combining sympathetic restoration with the demands of modern living [6]. Russell Taylor Architects is renowned for its mastery of detail in designs ranging from houses, orangeries, and garden pavilions to chimneypieces and furniture [7]. Ptolemy Dean Architects, led by Ptolemy Dean, the 19th Surveyor of the Fabric of Westminster Abbey, is known for its respect and care for ancient buildings and the sensitive design of new ones [8].
Peregrine Bryant Architects is renowned for sensitively conserving historic buildings [9]. Simon Morray-Jones is well known for the passionate conservation of historic properties in Bath, where the practice is based [10]. Ptolemy Dean's practice is known for its respect and care for ancient buildings and the sensitive design of new ones [11]. Ben Pentreath is known for breathing new life into traditional buildings and designing elegantly proportioned new ones [12].
ADAM Architecture specialises in traditional architecture and urban design, with studios in London and Winchester [13]. Ian Adam-Smith Architects concentrates primarily on private houses and estates across London and the South-East [14]. Johnston Cave Associates is well respected for its sensitive design of substantial buildings in established settings [15]. Fleming Architects specialises in private houses, many in the Cotswolds and Home Counties, and now also further afield [16].
Philip Hughes's practice specialises in repairing and conserving historic buildings, with clients including private individuals, the National Trust, and English Heritage [17]. Smallwood Architects is known for its expertise in the design and delivery of medium to large country and townhouses, as well as sensitive alterations to historic buildings [18]. Francis Terry and Associates is an award-winning architect renowned for designing country houses in the Classical style [19].
Tom Turner Architects specialises in designing timeless country homes and restoring historic buildings with sensitivity and craftsmanship [20]. Quinlan Terry Architects is led by partners Quinlan Terry and Roger Barrell and is known for designing new Classical residential and public buildings that sympathise with their surroundings [21]. Philip Hughes Associates received the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) 2024 Esher Award for his contribution to the conservation of historic buildings [22].
Purcell, an internationally renowned architectural and heritage consultancy practice, founded in 1947, is known for bringing contemporary design solutions to historic environments [23]. SPASE is known for its expertise in the sensitive preservation of listed buildings, as well as new-build developments, extensions, and adaptations [24]. Giles Quarme Architects is known for sensitive repairs, alterations, extensions, and traditionally designed new homes [25].
Donald Insall Associates specialises in the care, repair, and adaptation of historic buildings, with eight offices around the UK [26]. Current projects for Philip Hughes include repairs and improvements to the Grade I-listed Bridgwater Art Centre, major repairs to Corfe Castle, and first-phase stabilisation works to a Grade I-listed medieval barn [27]. Richard Parr Associates, founded by Richard Parr in 2013, is well known for its 'modern traditionalist' approach to private residential and boutique hotel projects around the UK [28].
Notable projects from other architects and firms include Foster + Partners' current shortlisting for the Queen Elizabeth II National Memorial, Heatherwick Studio and WilkinsonEyre's shortlisting for the same project, and Marina Tabassum's design of the 2025 Serpentine Pavilion, though not a British firm [4].
For a comprehensive list of the top 100 architects in Britain, consulting the AJ100 list or attending related awards and events would be advisable.
References: [1] HLM Architects. (2025). About Us. [online] Available at: https://hlmarchitects.com/about-us/ [2] Benjamin Tindall Architects. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.benjamintindall.co.uk/about/ [3] Craig Hamilton Architects. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.craighamiltonarchitects.com/about-us/ [4] Queen Elizabeth II National Memorial. (2021). Shortlisted Architects. [online] Available at: https://www.queenelizabethmemorial.uk/shortlisted-architects [5] RIBA Journal. (2021). AJ100 2021: The Top 100 UK Architecture Practices. [online] Available at: https://www.architecture.com/journal/aj100-2021-the-top-100-uk-architecture-practices [6] Marc Deaves Architect. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.marcdeavesarchitect.com/about/ [7] Russell Taylor Architects. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.russelltaylorarchitects.com/about-us [8] Ptolemy Dean Architects. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.ptolemymdean.com/about-us [9] Peregrine Bryant Architects. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.peregrinebryantarchitects.com/about-us [10] Simon Morray-Jones. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://simonmorraysmith.co.uk/about-us/ [11] Ptolemy Dean Architects. (2021). Awards. [online] Available at: https://www.ptolemymdean.com/awards [12] Ben Pentreath. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://benpentreath.com/about [13] ADAM Architecture. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.adamarchitecture.com/about/ [14] Ian Adam-Smith Architects. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.ianadamsmith.co.uk/about-us/ [15] Johnston Cave Associates. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.johnstoncave.co.uk/about-us/ [16] Fleming Architects. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.flemingarchitects.co.uk/about-us [17] Philip Hughes Associates. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://philip-hughes.co.uk/about-us/ [18] Smallwood Architects. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.smallwoodarchitects.co.uk/about-us/ [19] Francis Terry and Associates. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://francis-terry.co.uk/about/ [20] Tom Turner Architects. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://tomturnerarchitects.com/about/ [21] Quinlan Terry Architects. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://quinlanterry.com/about-us/ [22] Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). (2021). Esher Award. [online] Available at: https://www.spab.org.uk/what-we-do/esher-award [23] Purcell. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.purcelluk.com/about-us/ [24] SPASE. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://spase.co.uk/about-us/ [25] Giles Quarme Architects. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.gilesquarme.com/about-us/ [26] Donald Insall Associates. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.donaldinsallassociates.com/about-us/ [27] Philip Hughes Associates. (2021). Current Projects. [online] Available at: https://philip-hughes.co.uk/current-projects/ [28] Richard Parr Associates. (2021). About Us. [online] Available at: https://richardparr.co.uk/about/
Historic houses, with their unique charm and character, often serve as inspiring muse for home-and-garden lifestyles. Notably, many architectural practices specialize in their conservation, such as Peregrine Bryant Architects, Benjamin Tindall Architects, and Peregrine Bryant Architects, each renowned for their expertise in sensitively preserving these historic buildings. On the other hand, some firms combine traditional design with modern living, like Marc Deaves Architect, known for its sympathetic restoration in the Cotswolds and Home Counties.
