Practice
GWPA is a dynamic collective of architects, sustainability specialists, space planners, and interior designers established in 1980, with a proven track record across England, Wales, and Scotland. Our diverse expertise spans an extensive array of building types in both the public and private sectors. We excel in creating innovative residential environments, affordable housing solutions, and student accommodation. Our portfolio also includes co-living spaces, extra care facilities, healthcare projects, and commercial enterprises, as well as food and drink establishments. We are proud to contribute to the leisure sector, racecourses, universities, museums, and industrial units, including state-of-the-art warehouses and distribution centres. At GWPA, we are committed to delivering exceptional design that enhances communities and meets the evolving needs of our clients.
Sustainable, low-energy buildings are at the core of our philosophy. We relentlessly design for sustainability from concept to completion, delivering solutions that provide significant economic, social, and environmental benefits. Our in-house Passivhaus team has successfully completed multiple Passivhaus and zero carbon projects, implementing robust sustainable strategies across all scales. We are adept at securing planning consents and thrive in managing complex or sensitive schemes. Our extensive experience with Grade I, II, and II* listed buildings is backed by our in-house Conservation Accredited Specialists. Our designs have not only received numerous architectural and conservation awards, but they also set a benchmark in the industry.
Company Registration Number: 3113732
Team
Richard is a Chartered Architect with 30 years of RIBA Chartered experience and serves as a Principal Designer, specialising in sustainable complex heritage projects.
He has designed, managed, and delivered projects with a total construction value exceeding £150M across the UK, many of which have achieved BREEAM ‘outstanding’ accreditation.
His experience spans various sectors including residential, student accommodation, commercial, industrial, pharmaceutical, cultural/exhibition, museum, and visitor centres, with a focus on heritage buildings. In addition to his design expertise, Richard has significant management experience, overseeing complex major projects ranging from £1M to £40M. He is known for his hands-on and proactive approach, particularly in project delivery and key client interactions, while consistently upholding design excellence. Several of Richard’s recent projects have also received recognition through numerous sector awards.
Director - BArch (Dist) RIBA MaPS
Richard Townend
Ben is a highly skilled Senior Architectural Technologist with a growing expertise in sustainable heritage projects. With a wealth of technical experience, he has successfully contributed to the design, development, and delivery of diverse projects across multiple sectors, including Passivhaus residential, industrial, and commercial premises throughout the UK.
His commitment to excellence is underscored by several BREEAM 'Outstanding' accreditations, showcasing his dedication to environmentally responsible design. Currently, Ben is making a significant impact on a portfolio of heritage projects, particularly those involving Grade II listed structures in South Wales. In his role as Project Architect, he demonstrates a profound ability to blend functionality with historical preservation, ensuring that each project respects its heritage while meeting modern standards.
Associate Director - BA (hons) MCIAT
Ben Parish
Associate Director - BA (HONS) MArch RIBA
Tom Adams
Tom is a highly accomplished Chartered Architect and Project Team Leader, renowned for his expertise across a diverse array of sectors, including student residential, commercial, retail, leisure, warehouse and industrial, heritage, residential, and pharmaceuticals.
With a proven track record in managing successful teams of architects and technicians, Tom excels at fostering collaboration among clients, design teams, and contractors to deliver outstanding project outcomes. He has successfully led high-profile schemes valued at up to £40 million, showcasing his ability to navigate complex challenges and drive projects to success.
His extensive training in Building Information Modeling (BIM) empowers him to produce detailed design and production information, further enhancing the quality and efficiency of his work. Tom's deep-rooted partnership with Richard Townend (Practice Director) over many years has allowed him to build a strong delivery team within the studio, underscoring his commitment to excellence in architectural design and project management.
Associate Director - BSC (HONS) MSC MCIAT CPHD
Daniel Tomlinson
Daniel is a Chartered Architectural Technologist with extensive experience in Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), offsite pre-fabrication, and designing high-efficiency low carbon buildings.
His expertise includes the technical implementation and project management of projects that adhere to Passivhaus and Net Zero Carbon standards. As an accredited Passivhaus designer, he oversees the certification processes, including PHPP modeling, from the inception of a project to its completion. His recent projects emphasise sustainable "fabric first" building designs that utilise offsite construction methods, such as panelised timber frames and lightweight steel.
These projects span various building types, including social and private housing developments as well as student residential accommodations (PBSA).
In addition to his project work, Daniel collaborates with industry experts to establish guidance on the latest sustainability best practices, including contributions to LETI's building modeling guide and serving as a consultee on embodied carbon for the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard.
Julie Marsh
Office Manager
Julie is a motivated and results-oriented Operations/Senior Office Manager with a great background in both private companies and local authorities. She enjoys working alongside the Senior Leadership team and is always looking for ways to improve processes that boost productivity and keep everything running smoothly.
With her sharp eye for detail and proactive approach, she encourages positive collaboration between departments, bringing everyone together for a more cohesive and efficient workplace. Julie’s commitment to doing her best not only helps with daily tasks but also supports the overall growth and success of the organisation.
Conservation Architect - BSc BArch MSc RIBA
Ashley Davies
Ashley is a highly respected Chartered Architect and RIBA-accredited Specialist Conservation Architect with over 30 years of experience in heritage preservation. He has successfully designed, funded, and executed numerous heritage-led projects involving Grade I, II, and II* listed buildings and Scheduled Monuments, focusing on meticulous repair, restoration, and adaptive reuse while maintaining the integrity of historic structures.
His projects often incorporate sustainable uses with contemporary elements, all while prioritising the sensitive conservation of existing materials. Ashley conducts thorough historic and architectural appraisals, resulting in essential documents like Heritage Assessments, Heritage Impact Statements, and Conservation Plans.
A member of the RIBA Conservation Register National Steering Group; Ashley also supports the Institute of Historic Building Conservation and has served as a conservation specialist on the RIBA Regional Architecture awards panel.
He has lectured on 'Conservation Principles,' presented at various conferences, and appeared on television to discuss his passion for restoring historic buildings. Committed to excellence in building conservation and high-quality design, Ashley advocates for proactive project management. His training as an Architect, Conservation Architect, and Project Manager allows him to deliver exceptional projects on time and within budget, consistently exceeding client expectations.
Principle Designer - ONC NEBOSH CMIOSH OSHCR CHAS
Mark Holmes
In 1998, after several years in production management for a national joinery manufacturing and retail business, Mark was appointed and trained as the Health and Safety Advisor for the company. He has also served as a Senior Representative for a Health and Safety Consultancy before joining GWP Architecture in his current role.
Mark possesses extensive experience with the CDM Regulations, applicable to both the 2007 and 2015 versions. At GWPA, Mark provides in-house support and advisory services on projects, aiding GWPA's delivery team and designers when others are engaged in the duty holder role as Principal Designer.
A notable service he provided was for the complex Bombay Sapphire Distillery project. His key skills include: - CDM Consultancy Services - Policies and Procedures - Assistance with Risk Assessment and Method Statements - Training - Task and Project Specific Assessments - Site Audits and General Consultancy Services.
