About us
We are architects, interior designers and historic building consultants and we design and construct unique buildings inspired by knowledge of traditional architecture and respect for site context. We use a mixture of traditional and modern techniques and value collaborations with artists and craftsmen. This approach is directly influenced by the work of the Arts and Crafts movement and is characterised by a feeling for place translated into building form, materials and detail.
We have a record of major secular projects including two grandstands for Towcester Racecourse. Our current work includes two care homes for The Duchy of Cornwall at Newquay, houses at Poundbury, and a consultancy for The Duchy on the Isles of Scilly. Our scheme for a major development in Blackburn Cathedral Precinct including clergy housing, cathedral offices and private apartments arranged around new squares and gardens received Planning Permission in January 2007. Our approach to sustainable building is apparent in the Studio for Robert Camlin in Powys which is a discreet reinterpretation of the local farm vernacular using locally-sourced materials and self-build methods.
The source of our design and technical expertise is extensive knowledge of historic buildings and the way they have changed and developed as part of their social and environmental context. Our major historic building projects include the restoration of St Walburge’s Church in Preston (listed Grade 1). As well as repair and conservation we have been involved in the rethinking of the use of historic buildings to incorporate wider public and educational use. Our HLF-funded scheme for Preston Minster created a new interior that can be used for a wide range of community events. The lottery-funded arts and education project at Lanternhouse in Cumbria involved the conversion and extension of a Victorian school. The project won a RIBA National Award.
We are currently designing a number of community buildings in Lancashire which involve the reuse of historic buildings and we are restoring and adapting a Regency mansion in Cumbria.
The practice has two partners: Francis Roberts is a brother of the Art Workers Guild and is AABC (Architects Accredited in Building Conservation) registered; Dominic Roberts sits on the Northern Buildings Committee of the Victorian Society and is an Associate Lecturer at Manchester School of Architecture.
Selected Buildings and Projects
2008-2009: Two new care homes for the Newquay Growth Area, Cornwall for the Duchy of Cornwall. Houses at Poundbury, Dorset for Phase 2 of the extension to Dorchester (Duchy of Cornwall).
2007-2009: Lytham Methodist Church & The Drive Methodist Church, Lytham St Annes: Development of community buildings and housing.
2004-2007: Master-plan and buildings for Blackburn Cathedral Close. New buildings including a Clergy House, offices and apartment buildings. With Camlin Lonsdale Landscape Architects and Taylor Young.
2004-2007: The conversion of the Ave Maria Hall and Hospice at Holywell into a convent cloister and pilgrims’ rest. Part-funded by CADW and Flintshire County Council.
1995-2004: The new Grace Grandstand and the new Empress Grandstand at Towcester Racecourse, Northamptonshire.
2004-2009: Summer Hill, Ulverston, Cumbria. Conversion and extension of a Georgian country house.
2000-2007: Belmont Hall, Cheshire. Development of new houses adjacent in the grounds of a listed house.
2000-2004: The Minster Church of St. John the Evangelist and St. George’s Church, Preston. Pioneering scheme of major repairs and new accommodation intended to open the buildings to new uses. For the Diocese of Blackburn, with English Heritage and Heritage Lottery support.
1999-2002: St. Lawrence’s Church, Barnwood, Gloucester. New Church Centre adjacent to Grade I listed Church. Civic Trust Award 2002.
1995-1998: Lanternhouse, Ulverston: A new Arts Centre for Welfare State International built with Arts Council and Lottery support. It includes a lecture theatre, workshop/theatre, art gallery, café and living accommodation for visiting artists. RIBA National Award in 2000 and a Civic Trust Commendation in 2001.
1995-2000: Parc Bach, Llangadfan, Powys. Completed 2000. A new studio for the Landscape Architect Robert Camlin. The building has a locally-sourced timber frame and is clad in green oak. Constructed by the client and direct labour.
1993-1996: St. Peter’s R.C. Cathedral, Lancaster. E.G. Paley, 1865. Conservation, repair, re-ordering, restoration and decoration. RIBA Award 1996.