Build Architecture Awards

Build Architecture Awards 2015 97 Riach Architects give us an insight into their stunning, award winning project, Grantham House in Oxford. Riach Architects is an experienced, dy- namic and creative practice with extensive knowledge of Oxford and its surroundings, including conservation areas and listed buildings. Our expertise is coupled with the priority to understand and fulfil each client’s brief, bringing imaginative solutions that add value to their property and its surroundings. We specialise in the design of high quality residential work for private and developer clients and manage each project’s execution from inception to completion. Key to our practice is the close working relationships we maintain with our clients as well as pos- itive connections with local authorities and contractors. The success of this is seen in our broad portfolio of work across a diverse range of sectors. Grantham House was a fantastic project to work on, within our local vicinity it was a site and location that we understand well. Its situation within a conservation area gave it a particular set of constraints that we embraced throughout the design process, wanting to set a precedent for further regeneration in the area. The building’s transformation was long awaited and to have the end result received with such positivity gives us a real sense of satisfaction as Architects. Oxford is a unique and beautiful city. To work here, Architects are required to have an appreciation of what exists and a vision of what can be added in a complementary, yet distinct way. We create bespoke designs that respond to their surroundings, take account of the client’s needs and offer a refined spatial quality. We take nothing for granted. Aspects of natural light, careful detail specification and a keen understanding of the use of space shape the buildings that we design. Because of the areas rich heritage and active residential community, local planning policies do well to protect its unique built environ- ment; which means that as Architects we need to have a keen understanding of how contemporary design can add value to its surroundings as well as a working methodolo- gy that integrates local residents and authority consultations. Although this is a challenge, it is also a chance for design professionals to explore and realise inventive solutions, particularly when working on additions to traditional buildings. We have the opportunity to create buildings that showcase the best of cutting edge design and stand to become a part of the regions historic skyline. Working within such a competitive industry means that we constantly have to adapt and diversify in order to stay one step ahead of the competition. Our architects have an acute understanding of early stage planning, allowing us to quickly gauge feasibility and push the boundaries of what is achievable in any given context. We often work on difficult and constrained sites, each time finding innovative solutions to create noteworthy schemes without com- promising spatial quality. Value is important to us; whether it is an economic return or a vastly improved lifestyle, we want to add value to our clients’ lives that will contribute positively to the wider area. Another challenge we face is that working with clients who want to achieve the highest build quality requires us to constantly be look- ing into new products and processes that will add value to our designs. We often work with consultants from early stages in the design process, particularly where sustainability codes are involved, and look for innovative ways to fulfil or go beyond traditional building regulations requirements. Best Large Scale Construction Project - Grantham House – Oxfordshire, UK Riach Architects Company: Riach Architects Ltd Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.riacharchitects.com Address: 65 Banbury Road, Oxford, Oxon, OX2 6PE Telephone: 01865 553772 In order to maintain our high standards we ensure that everyone at our firm remains passionate and dedicated to design. We enjoy our work, which means that each project receives the attention it needs to result in a successful building. This entails maintaining a process with clear communication and well managed time/cost/quality controls. Our open plan office lends itself to in house collabora- tion and the cross-pollination of expertise with fresh ideas, allowing us to work on a diverse range of projects with the same benchmark quality and design. We enjoy ongoing relationships with many of our clients and would like this, along with our positive local reputation, to continue. In order to achieve this we will continue seek- ing out innovative and exciting new projects in the future. We are always to looking to add to our portfolio of work and following the success of Grantham House, as well as other large projects recently completed, will be looking to expand in the area of residen- tial developments. We believe the quality of our team is the key to the work that we produce and will continue to employ the best practitioners and encour- age professional development in our office.