What we do
Soemthing in here?
New architecture in heritage settings
- Feasibility studies and options appraisals
- Planning, Faculty and Listed Building Consent applications
- The design of new buildings, extensions and creative adaptations for old buildings
Creative conservation
- Condition surveys
- Repairs
- Accessibility and sustainability improvements
Heritage consultancy
- Strategic advice and master planning
- Supporting clients to obtain permissions and grant aid (including the National Lottery Heritage Fund)
- Heritage impact assessments, statements and conservation management plans
Heritage consultancy
In addition to our commissioned projects, our experience as client advisors on steering groups and advisory committee for development projects at Grade I listed sites allows us to empathise with the difficulties facing clients working in the historic environment. We bring this understanding to projects where we are appointed lead architect or heritage advisor.
Several members of the practice are retained to advise on historic sites. Nick Cox has been Palace Architect for Blenheim Palace since 2003, Cathedral Architect at Wells since 2012, Lincoln since 2023 and Consultant Architect to The Goldsmiths’ Company since 2016. Kathryn Harris is Cathedral Architect for Birmingham and Bristol Cathedral, and Church Architect for St Martin-in-the-Fields and St Mary Le Strand.
To ensure our knowledge is kept current architects in the practice sit on variously: Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committees, the London Diocesan Advisory Committee, the Project Support Panel for the Association of English Cathedrals, the Historic Environment Advisory Group and Specialist Advice Network for the National Trust, the Historic England Heritage Estate Conservation Committee, the RIBA Oxford Women Architects Group, and teach architecture at De Montfort and Cardiff Universities.
Planning and technical design
As a practice we have experience leading projects of all scales, from a construction value of £50k to £22 million. We bring the same attention to detail and enjoyment of working as part of a team to every project regardless of value.
We enjoy the relationship between built forms and landscape and consider setting a fundamental part of architectural design.
Our practice has a skilled and flexible team approach. We know each other well, and each other’s strengths, so we can efficiently and effectively deliver work to a high standard. We encourage creative thinking from everyone and bring our collective expertise to detailing and design with regular internal project reviews.
Conservation
Nick Cox Architects are experts in the conservation of historic buildings. Our wide experience and connection with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (Nick, Pippa and Genevieve are former SPAB scholars) means that we are experts at diagnosing issues and getting to the root cause of problems.
We carefully consider challenges facing historic fabric and guide the client through available options to ensure the eventual repairs have the correct permissions in place, meet required regulations, are of high quality and will be long lasting.
Our practice has worked for cathedrals, the National Trust, private clients, trusts, and Local Authorities. Enjoying a diverse client base helps in developing schemes to give historic buildings a sustainable future, economically, socially and environmentally. This is achieved by carrying out repairs and alterations to allow wider public access, use and enjoyment. Projects include Lincoln, Wells, Winchester, Bristol and Birmingham Cathedrals, parish churches, The Vyne, Kedleston Hall, Calke Abbey, Sudbury Hall, Ditchley Park, and Woburn Abbey. Nick has been Palace Architect for Blenheim Palace since 2003.
Strategy and masterplanning
Put in the stakeholder-type stuff here?
Working with multiple stakeholders — some of the institutions we work with have complex governance and management structures. We provide drawings, presentations and models to aid communication and ease the decision-making process.
Our extensive experience of construction projects in public buildings means we are comfortable negotiating complex briefs, consents, cost control procedures, site logistics and health and safety matters. We also coordinate information from other consultants to ensure the brief is delivered to meet clients’ needs.