RRA Architects

28/05/2026

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭𝟮 𝗼𝗳 𝟰𝟬 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟰𝟬 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀: 𝗘𝗱𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝗔 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆
A tiny riverside cottage, a childhood memory, a possible smuggling past and some very well-looked-after bats.

RRA Architects helped bring this tired rural cottage back to life, adding more space while keeping the stone, character and connection to the surrounding landscape.

Small project. Interesting story. Excellent bat accommodation.

The full story and before and after photos at https://rraarchitects.com/herefordshire-architects-edw-cottage-riverside-renovation/

Herefordshire architects RRA revisit Edw Cottage, a riverside Welsh cottage transformed with heritage repair, ecology and family memories.

22/05/2026

For 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭𝟭 of our 𝟰𝟬 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟰𝟬 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 series, we are throwing it back to one of RRA’s more unusual creations: the Hereford Eco-Pavilion.

Part ticket office, part festival teaser and part sustainable construction showcase, the pavilion was designed with Oakwrights and GreenRoofTops to promote Hay Festival in 2010.

It was built in Hereford High Town City Centre, then dismantled and rebuilt at Hay Festival as a small venue.

Not every project has to be permanent to leave an impression.

See more (including the timelapse) here
https://rraarchitects.com/hereford-architects-hay-festival-eco-pavilion/

RRA Architects revisit the Hereford Eco-Pavilion, a temporary oak-framed Hay Festival ticket office created by the Herefordshire architects.

22/05/2026

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟭𝟬 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟰𝟬 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟰𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗥𝗔 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀.

Balcarras School in Charlton Kings already had an impressive musical reputation, with talented pupils, a thriving music department and Balcajazz performing as part of the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.

What they needed was a building to match that ambition.

The new Music School created dedicated teaching, rehearsal and performance spaces, helping support a culture where music is clearly much more than an extra-curricular activity.

As part of RRA’s commitment to CSR, our services were provided on a not-for-profit basis to help make the project possible. The building was officially opened in May 2018 by Jo Whiley and Julian Dunkerton, whose generous support helped fund a significant proportion of the project.

Eight years on, Balcarras Music is still sounding brilliant.

Read full story at https://rraarchitects.com/balcarras-music-school-cheltenham-school-architect-gloucestershire/

School architect Gloucestershire project at Balcarras Music School in Cheltenham, creating dedicated music teaching, rehearsal and performance spaces.

07/05/2026

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟵 𝗼𝗳

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗮𝘁𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗺, 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀.

Originally built as a pair of Victorian villas and later used as a care home, the building was carefully transformed into 13 luxury apartments.

The challenge wasn’t just the design. It was everything hidden behind the walls:
✔ drainage
✔ fire protection
✔ acoustic upgrades
✔ protected historic fabric
✔ layouts that actually work as homes

A huge technical puzzle… inside a listed building.

And when it was complete, the project received a Cheltenham Civic Award 🏆

👉 Read the full story here:
https://rraarchitects.com/lypiatt-lodge-cheltenham-listed-building-conversion/

Week 9 of RRA Architects’ 40 Projects for 40 Years series explores the conversion of Lypiatt Lodge in Cheltenham from a former care home into luxury apartments.

30/04/2026

𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟴 𝗼𝗳 #𝟰𝟬𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀𝟰𝟬𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀... 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝟯,𝟱𝟬𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 📞

A client in Abu Dhabi spotted a derelict building going up for auction in Hereford and asked us… should I buy it?

She hadn’t seen it.
We visited, filmed it, talked it through… and then went to the auction to bid on her behalf.

No pressure.

Fast forward and that ‘shed’ is now a contemporary micro home and successful Airbnb.

Proof that sometimes great projects start with a bit of trust (and a leap of faith).

👉 Full story at https://rraarchitects.com/micro-coach-house-hereford-residential-architect/

Residential architect Hereford: how RRA Architects helped a client buy and transform a derelict coach house into a contemporary micro home and Airbnb.

24/04/2026

Week 7 of our 40 projects celebrating 40 years of RRA Architects… and this one might look familiar 👀

Back in 2006, Hillcot Barn in Herefordshire featured on Grand Designs. What started as a dream to convert a field barn into a home quickly became one of those projects people still talk about nearly 20 years later.

It had all the ingredients… ambition, challenges, tight budgets and a few unexpected twists along the way, but, of course, there’s always more to the story behind the scenes.

From our perspective, it was an eye-opening experience and a great reminder of just how important clear planning and professional guidance can be from day one.

Still one of our most talked-about projects to this day.

👉 Full story at https://rraarchitects.com/projects/grand-designs-hillcot-barn/

17/04/2026

Delighted to be supporting the Fresh Art Fair again - our absolute favourite event of the year.

Love the fact that the Fresh team bring something new each year for us to get involved in; really excited about 'Built Perspectives' this year.

RRA Architects celebrating 40 years of design.

We are proud to continue our partnership with RRA Architects, marking 10 years of collaboration in 2026.

Known for creating award-winning spaces across the UK, RRA brings the same creativity, technical expertise and sustainable thinking into this year’s fair—not just as sponsors, but as curators.

For 2026, RRA presents a specially curated display exploring the connection between art and architecture. Drawing together works from exhibiting galleries, the collection focuses on space, structure and the built environment—offering a new lens through which to experience art.

From bold cityscapes to abstract compositions, each piece reflects a strong sense of design and spatial awareness, creating an engaging dialogue between disciplines.

A celebration of past, present and future—on and beyond the drawing board.

17/04/2026

If the video below looks dated, that's because it's from the first Fresh Art Fair back in the olden days before AI!
There's 6 days to go until Fresh: Art Fair Cheltenham 2026 and this year feels particularly special for us, marking both our 𝟭𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿 and 𝗥𝗥𝗔'𝘀 𝟰𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆. As Principal Partner once again, we are also having a go at curating with 𝘉𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴, a collection exploring the relationship between art and architecture.

Alongside the galleries, Sculpture Park and workshops, we will also be running our 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘢 𝘋𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦 competition for younger visitors, back by popular demand.

Join us at Cheltenham Racecourse from 24th to 26th April.

16/04/2026

Canwood Farm Gallery began with a lifelong passion for art, shaped by a personal experience ...
𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟲 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟰𝟬 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟰𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗥𝗔 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀.

During a serious illness, our client found inspiration in art, something that stayed with him for decades. The result was a vision to create a gallery where others could experience that same connection.

RRA was trusted to help bring that idea to life, transforming a group of farm buildings into a calm, contemporary gallery set within the Herefordshire landscape.

As we celebrate 40 years of RRA and 10 years partnering with Fresh: Art Fair, we are delighted to learn that Canwood Gallery will be exhibiting at the fair for the first time.

From inspiration… to gallery… to exhibition.

Read more at
https://rraarchitects.com/canwood-farm-gallery-herefordshire-architect/

Herefordshire architect project transforming farm buildings into Canwood Gallery, a space inspired by art, healing and a lifelong vision.

07/04/2026

What a great Six Nation’s tournament 2026. After weeks of fierce competition, we’re proud to celebrate the winners of our Six Nations Fantasy Rugby League 🏉
Huge congratulations to our prize winners who rose to the challenge and claimed victory this season. Your rugby knowledge (and maybe a bit of luck 😉) truly paid off!

🥇 Chris Thorne took the top prize and the all-important bragging rights, along with two passes to the Chairman’s Club at Gloucester Rugby for a game of his choice.

🥈 Andre Faul finished second and wins a bottle of Black Eye Gin.

🥉 Ken Wilcock took third place and wins a bobble hat from the rugby club of his choice.

🎯 And our special 40th anniversary prize for finishing closest to 1986 points goes to Mark Harries, with a score of 1984.
Mark has generously donated the money to the Riding School for the Disabled charity. And, RRA has also matched the donation (Cotswold RDA the money is on it's way to you).

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the RRA Six Nations Rugby Fantasy League 2026, especially Ben Hawker for all his fabulous match reports. Also, thank you, to those who followed along without even having a team. It’s been great to have you all involved.
Same time next year?

02/04/2026

Sometimes the most important design decision happens before you even own the building.
𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟰 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟰𝟬 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟰𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗥𝗔 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀.

Our clients came to us with a question: 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴?
(Actually quite a common question we are asked).

They had found a beautiful curtilage listed coach house in the Cotswolds, full of character, but with a few complications, including an unauthorised extension and a number of unknowns around what would be possible.

Before committing to the purchase, we worked with them to understand the risks, the opportunities and how the building could become a home that would work not just now, but for the years ahead.

The solution involved removing the unauthorised extension, carefully reworking the building and introducing a new single-storey addition that sits quietly alongside the original structure.

Inside, the layout was rationalised, levels brought together and features such as a lift and generous, light-filled spaces introduced to ensure the house remains practical and enjoyable to live in over time.

A great example of how good advice at the right moment can make all the difference.

More details at https://rraarchitects.com/coach-house-cotswolds-curtilage-listed-residential-architecture/