Architects in Richmond
Richmond protects more than most places ever will, including a view. The sightline from Richmond Hill has been safeguarded by its own Act of Parliament since 1902, and the borough's planning approach reflects that same seriousness everywhere else too. Design United Studio, led by director Jürgen Kuppers, designs within that level of scrutiny as a matter of course.
A Borough That Protects More Than Most
Why Richmond's Planning Process Is Its Own Discipline
Richmond upon Thames has one of the highest concentrations of listed buildings and conservation areas of any London borough, which means a heritage statement is closer to the norm here than the exception it would be elsewhere.
Jürgen's background includes large-scale projects at Foster + Partners held to a similar level of scrutiny, and that same discipline, evidence prepared properly the first time, carries over to a Richmond home.
The View From Richmond Hill Is Protected by Law, Not Just Policy
The view from Richmond Hill is one of a small number of sightlines in England protected by an Act of Parliament rather than ordinary planning policy, the Richmond, Petersham and Ham Open Spaces Act 1902. It covers a specific, defined view rather than the whole borough.
Most properties fall outside it entirely, but it says something about how seriously Richmond treats its skyline in general, which shapes how we approach roof extensions and dormers here even well outside the protected sightline itself.
Working on Richmond's Listed Georgian Houses
A significant number of properties around Richmond Green and the riverside carry listed status. We approach these the same way we handle any listed building project, with the heritage statement and supporting evidence a conservation officer expects prepared before submission.
Kirana Laonipon, our Part II architectural assistant, manages that documentation alongside the drawings themselves.
Homes Near Richmond Park Come With Their Own Tree and Landscape Considerations
Mature trees close to Richmond Park are often covered by a Tree Preservation Order, which restricts work near or affecting them.
For a lot of properties in this part of Richmond, the landscape around a house carries almost as much weight in a design as the building itself.
Getting an Extension Approved Within a Richmond Conservation Area
Given how much of Richmond sits within a conservation area, the strongest applications tend to lean on precedent, showing a case officer what's already been approved nearby, alongside materials and proportions that read as part of the street.
We build that evidence into a proposal from the start rather than treating it as a fallback if an application stalls.
Heritage-Level Care, on a Residential Scale
A team for Richmond's Most Protected Streets
Design United Studio is led by director Jürgen Kuppers, a RIBA and ARB registered architect with a background in large-scale projects at Foster + Partners, working alongside Part II Architectural Assistant Kirana Laonipon. Richmond is one of eighteen areas we cover as part of our wider South West London architects practice.
Big-Practice Experience, Small-Studio Attention
Our Track Record
2
Hands-On Team
100+
Projects
99%
Planning Approval Success Rate
10+
Years in Practice
What Our Clients Say
"We're two streets back from Richmond Hill and were told the protected view might affect us. They knew immediately it didn't, and could explain exactly why."
VICTORIA H.
"Getting listed building consent for our house near the Green felt inevitable given the area. What surprised us was how quickly it actually happened."
"There's a huge oak at the end of our garden with a preservation order on it. They designed around it rather than treating it as an obstacle."
EDWARD W.
CLARA M.
Straight answers before you call
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from homeowners in Richmond about listed buildings, protected views and conservation areas.
