Practice

The practice was founded in North Devon by Jonathan in 1986 and has grown to offices in Devon and Somerset led by the five directors.

Our experience and range cover the south west from the Scilly Isles to Bath and Dorset

The practice was founded in North Devon by Jonathan in 1986, and in 2004 the practice opened the Taunton office to address the workload in Somerset, Dorset and Gloucestershire.

The conservation of historic sites and buildings has always been a fast moving, intellectually-based discipline requiring particular training in the context of on-going research and developing advice. We have always committed to maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of the extensive and evolving application of building conservation.

This is reflected in accreditations that individuals in the practice maintain to demonstrate this commitment and our close collaboration with Historic England, SPAB, Devon Earth Building Association and the Conservation of Traditional Thatch Group etc.

We have recently contributed to Historic England’s current research in Devon Cobbled Paths (with the SPAB), Damp Towers and the cob section of their recent publication on Earth, Brick and Terracotta.

Services

In addition to a full architectural service as defined by the RIBA the practice has a focus on good design and delivering well detailed and finished building projects.

Surveys, feasibility and funding

Initial designs are explored through site, condition and feasibility studies which help to develop the brief and inform early important consultation. Surveys are carried out in-house or we can coordinate other specialist consultants.

The practice is experienced in providing Conservation Management Plans and other important contextual information on a project to avoid abortive design work on controversial projects.

We work closely with church and community clients to establish possible sources of grant funding for their projects and assist with grant applications and on site administration.

Planning and approvals

We are experienced in helping clients navigate the planning process for complex and challenging sites and proposals.

With good working relationships with Local Authorities in the South West and Dorset, Historic England and other statutory consultees we are able to assist with all aspects of applications for the various Planning application types, Listed Building Consent, Conservation Area Consent etc.

We are experienced in the implications ecology, flood risk and land contamination can have on building projects, both in terms of surveys, project programme and mitigation methods.

Design and conservation

Although the contextual design challenges of a project are important, we are also keen to promote detail design excellence based on a sound understanding of traditional and modern materials and how they form the key components and finishes of the building.

Our long term commitment to the repair, maintenance and sensitive adaption of historic buildings enables us to gain a detailed understanding of traditional building pathology and a better understanding of long-term material performance and decay.

Contract administration

The practice is intensely aware that the best designs will flounder if not well executed in the construction phase.

Over the last 30 years of working within the South West we have built up a strong network of competent contractors and will be able to advise clients on the most suitable contractors depending on the type of project and location.

The selection of contractors with appropriate management and construction skills form an important part of the practice’s project work with administering contracts, quality inspections, monitoring variations etc.

The Team

The practice team has a wealth of architectural and conservation experience and is committed to ongoing training and accreditation.

We apply and build upon this experience in the context of the varied and interesting workload the practice maintains.

We hope this demonstrates that we are not complacent about how we apply ourselves to the design work but are open to fresh ideas and design solutions. Innovative ideas for more contemporary design solutions are explored in the context of our combined wealth of knowledge on the building tradition, materials, historic and architectural detailing particular to the South West.

Andy Hedger
Architect

Darryn Marrs
Senior Architectural Technologist - Accredited Conservationist

David Bridges
Senior Architectural Technologist

Evie Burrows
Architectural Apprentice

Helen Bennett-Day
Architect

Joe Shadrick
Part I Architectural Assistant

John Alexander
Director Conservation Architect

Jon Johnson
Architectural / Conservation Assistant

Jonathan Rhind
Director Conservation Architect

Jonny Poland
Director Conservation Architect

Mark Raby
Director Architect

Martin Sturley-Hayes
Director Conservation Architect

Miriam Kelly
Associate Director Conservation Architect

Olena Urushchak
Architectural Assistant

Peter Thompson
Senior Architectural Technologist - Accredited Conservationist

Simon Horler
Senior Architect

Tina Botsi
Architect

Twearly Peaster
Part II Architectural Assistant

Recruitment

Jonathan Rhind Architects are committed to the ongoing development of skills. We have a very interesting job list and are always keen to find the right designers to join our team. If you would like to work with our team on challenging architectural projects in the South West we would like to hear from you. Please follow the link for our current vacancies.

RIBA Chartered Practice

RIBA Chartered Practices are the only practices to be endorsed and promoted by the RIBA it is the only client focused accreditation scheme specifically for architectural practices and shows that we are committed to excellence in design and service delivery.

We also have RIBA conservation accredited architects. Appropriately accredited conservation architects are a fantastic source of professional help and a major step towards ensuring any building works you oversee are carried out correctly and appropriately.

Control by a conservation accredited professional is a requirement of grants being awarded for repairs to historic buildings by the Heritage Lottery Fund and many government funded works.

Architects Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC)

The AABC Register is an independent accreditation body with the primary purpose of informing clients and protecting the historic built environment from damaging interventions by people not skilled in historic building conservation and adaption.

Control by a conservation accredited professional is a requirement of grants being awarded for repairs to historic buildings by the Heritage Lottery Fund and many government funded works.

All registered architects are re-assessed every 5 years as a continual skills appraisal process and for applicants to demonstrate their insights, understanding and application of the building conservation principles.

Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists

The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists: CIAT is the leading qualifying body for Architectural Technology and promotes accreditation, registration and continual professional development of individuals studying and practicing in the discipline of Architectural Technology.

Church of England

All regional DAC offices administer the Inspection of Churches Measure which requires that all church buildings be inspected by an Approved Architect or Surveyor once every five years and produce a Quinquennial Inspection Report.

We have Conservation Architects registered with both Exeter and Bath & Wells DACs. Within the practice we look after over 100 churches within these two Diocese.

Awards

Our awards are a tribute to our clients' commitment and dedication to the sensitive and sympathetic conservation repair and re-use of significant historic buildings in the South West.