Architecture to Delight
We create uniquely tailored architecture for private residential and cultural clients. We work exclusively in the South West of England realising the architectural ambitions of clients who, like us, are inspired by the distinctive surrounding coastlines, countryside and hinterland of Devon and Somerset. This experience gives us exceptional local knowledge and grounding as well as the ability to manage our projects with a trusted network of professional and craftspeople who deliver high quality workmanship and sustainable design.
With a thorough understanding of local building traditions and their context, we use intelligent design to drive sensitive modern interventions that balance a sense of place with the aspirations of modern living. We have considerable experience of working within designated landscapes such as National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty that has earned the practice an enviable reputation for planning success and built schemes. Our approach is to build a close relationship of trust and collaboration with clients, listening to them and understanding how they want to live to provide practical, creative, architectural designs.
Our Architectural Services — How We Work
At Louise Crossman Architects we offer vision and problem solving and we are ambitious for our clients. We will listen to you, explore designs with you, and advise you, setting up and leading a consultant team, developing construction proposals, or delivering the completed scheme. We craft architecture to delight.
“I would be happy to recommend the firm to any potential client who values being listened to and for whom relationship as well as professional skill and technical competence is important.” — James Denniston, Lee Abbey
Our Architectural Team — Who We Are
Louise Crossman Architects is an Employee Ownership Trust committed to long term growth and evolution. We work collaboratively from concept to completion in a studio environment where a handful of active projects are supported by our small architectural team, each of whom brings specific strengths and technical competencies.
Louise Crossman, Director — BSc, Dipl Arch, RIBA
Louise is committed to contemporary quality architecture that resonates with the landscape, materials, and culture of our region. Louise has considerable experience of working with historic buildings and in sensitive contexts. She also offers significant experience in executing building projects that allow the design process to be explored without losing touch with practical implementation.
Charlie Ardren, Director — BA (Hons), MArch, PGcert
With a portfolio that includes contemporary design in rural settings and listed buildings, his designs are well thought through and technically informed, where material choice, form and context are considered. Charlie’s meticulous approach delivers unfailingly excellent work to his clients.
Richard Ellis — BA (Hons), Dipl Arch, PG Cert
With over 26 years of post-qualification experience spanning listed building refurbishments, one-off houses, Richard brings a wealth of expertise to the practice whose ability to resolve complex design briefs, combined with his deep understanding of materials and their relationships, ensures clarity and precision in every aspect of his work.
Amanda Draper — FdA, BA (Hons), MArch
Having originally trained in interior design, followed by architectural training at the university of Plymouth, Amanda’s architectural experience is rooted in working in sensitive locations where she has considerable experience with local planning authorities. However, beyond this her eye for detail and material selection also contributes to any project.
Jacky Fletcher — BSc (Hons), FCCA
As practice manager, Jacky uses her experience and qualifications to provide a bedrock to the day-to-day running of the practice, working with the admin team to ensure a smooth running business and keeping creative minds focused on the tasks in hand.
Career Opportunities
We are always interested to receive applications from talented individuals. Please either respond to an advertised role if listed, or, when we are not actively recruiting send your CV and not more than 6 examples of your past work to .
Senior Architect
We are looking for a senior architect to become part of a forward thinking, design led, and ambitious architectural practice in the West Country.
The role is based on full time working at our Somerset studio near the beautiful Exmoor coast. You will be part of a focussed, friendly, and supportive studio, where we support flexible ways of working to allow a good work-life balance for our team. A part time role would also be considered for the right person. We care about architecture, we value our team, and we work in wonderful locations.
Our studios are a collaborative design environment where solving problems through good design is a fundamental part of practice life. We will invest in you, learn from you, and will value what you have to offer.
Louise Crossman Architects is an Employee Ownership Trust, and thus offers real engagement with the future of the practice as well as potential for additional rewards, over and above agreed salary, depending on practice performance.
Job Description:-
We are committed to creating uniquely tailored architecture where our projects are predominantly private residential or culturally based. You will be responsible for leading your own projects from concept to completion with support from our talented and experienced team. The position will suit someone who is excited by the reuse and renewal of existing buildings, by sustainable construction, as well as contemporary architecture, with excellent design, technical and organisational skills. Your role will also include providing support and guidance to other team members.
This is a great opportunity for an experienced architect working towards or at associate level, who is creative and focused, and who cares about good design, while thriving on the technical demands of delivering great architecture in a collaborative environment.
Skills and Experience:-
You must:
- Have at least 5 years post Part 3 in-practice UK experience working with a portfolio of projects through all RIBA Stages of work, from concept design, through to construction and practical completion and beyond.
- Be able to work in a focused manner and have good design and technical skills.
- Enjoy the challenge of designing and executing bespoke projects often in traditional buildings, and in beautiful yet sensitive contexts or settings.
- Care about and have experience of sustainable construction and energy efficient design.
- Have a friendly approach and a willingness to work as a team player, as well as engage with clients and consultants.
Preferred:
- Do you thrive within beautiful landscapes and outdoor environments? We regularly work within National Parks and AONBs.
- Do you have experience of using Vectorworks, Adobe Suite and NBS Building software, where we use Apple Macs? Whilst experience of these would be an advantage, training will be given if needed.
- Will you bring fresh ideas and experience that will make a difference and contribute to our practice?
Please send a covering letter, outlining why you would like to join us, along with your cv and not more than 6 examples of your own design work and technical construction drawings to design@lcarchitects.co.uk.
No agencies please.
Experienced Architectural Assistant
Would you like to live and work in a beautiful part of the country, close to the coast and Exmoor, in a successful architectural practice? If so, we would love to hear from you. The position will be full time, based in our Withycombe studio, where we work exclusively in the South West creating bespoke homes, working on predominantly high-end residential and traditional buildings.
Our studios are design-led with a collaborative design environment, where solving problems through good design is a fundamental part of practice life. The role offers great career development with ideal experience for your Part 2 or Part 3 training; initially your role will be to support the project architects in delivering designs through all RIBA stages of work. There is also the opportunity of progressing to a job running role with support from the team. This is a great opportunity for the right candidate who is focussed, with good design and technical skills and an ambition to progress their career in a part of the world with all the outdoor action you can imagine.
Role and Requirements:-
You must:
- Have an RIBA Part 1 or Part 2 accreditation, with at least 2 years of in-practice UK experience.
- Have excellent design, creative, technical and communication skills and be able to work in a focussed manor.
- Enjoy the challenge of designing and executing bespoke projects. Ideally you will have experience of working with traditional buildings and in sensitive locations.
- Have a friendly approach and a willingness to work as a team player, as well as engage with clients and consultants.
- Applicants will be required to demonstrate a sound understanding of, and a range of experience of working within, the UK planning and building regulations systems.
- Have good organisational and time management skills.
- Experience of using Vectorworks and Mac OS, would be preferable, but training can be provided to the right candidate.
Perks:-
Salary will be competitive, commensurate with your experience, and in line with RIBA guidelines. Additionally, as we are an Employee Ownership Trust, all staff have the opportunity to share in the future success of the practice, once they have been with the practice for a minimum 12 months.
This role provides an opportunity to join a thriving design-led studio, with opportunities for career progression, in a beautiful part of the UK. If you are interested, please email us at design@lcarchitects.co.uk with a covering letter explaining why you would like to work for us, your cv and examples of your own design work and technical construction drawings.
No agencies please.