Riach Architects

Riach Architects Oxford-based architects with a commitment to excellent communication and extraordinary design.

Founded thirty-five years ago, Riach Architects serves clients in Oxfordshire and further afield from its offices at 65 Banbury Road, Oxford. The experienced staff manage a wide range of projects, large and small.

Modernising a cottage takes a detailed understanding of the original building – how it was constructed, where the struct...
28/08/2026

Modernising a cottage takes a detailed understanding of the original building – how it was constructed, where the structure can be altered, and how it has weathered, moved, and been adapted over time.

It also means understanding what you want from your new home: perhaps a layout better suited to family life, space for entertaining, or quiet places to work, focus, and rest. We listen carefully, without making assumptions, so the design reflects how you want to live.

The right team matters, too. We work with a long-established network of local craftspeople and specialist trades who understand vernacular construction, know how to repair original features, and can source materials appropriate to the building.

Together, we bring in more daylight, improve energy efficiency, and create spaces that work for modern life – without losing the character that made the cottage worth preserving.

Context is everything.At Grantham House, colour was introduced to the sides of the bay windows as a subtle reference to ...
21/08/2026

Context is everything.

At Grantham House, colour was introduced to the sides of the bay windows as a subtle reference to the brightly painted homes found on nearby roads such as Observatory Street – connecting a distinctly contemporary scheme to its setting.

The project involved the complete refurbishment and extension of a 1960s sheltered housing scheme to create 27 apartments and two family houses.

The building was reorganised internally to provide apartments in a wider range of sizes, while an insulated render system dramatically improved its energy efficiency and gave the dated exterior a clean, low-maintenance finish.

Riach Architects is looking for an enthusiastic Architectural Technician to join our expanding, award-winning RIBA Chart...
20/08/2026

Riach Architects is looking for an enthusiastic Architectural Technician to join our expanding, award-winning RIBA Chartered Practice in Oxford.

This is an exciting opportunity to support the design and delivery of a diverse range of residential and commercial projects, working closely with our architects and consultants from concept through to construction.

Key responsibilities:

• Preparing technical drawing packages and detailed construction information across all project stages
• Producing accurate, coordinated technical drawings using AutoCAD and ArchiCAD
• Coordinating with architects, consultants, and contractors to resolve technical issues
• Ensuring designs comply with UK Building Regulations and relevant technical standards
• Attending project meetings and site visits to support project delivery and coordination
• Assisting in the technical development of residential and commercial projects

We’re looking for someone with:

• Proven expertise in AutoCAD and ArchiCAD
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite
• Strong knowledge of technical construction methods and UK Building Regulations
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• A high level of accuracy and exceptional attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with confidence when liaising with colleagues, consultants, and clients
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team

For the right candidate, we offer the opportunity to work on an exciting range of high-end residential properties, listed buildings, and developments, alongside opportunities for personal development, a competitive salary, and a positive working environment.

This is a permanent, full-time position, An immediate start is preferred, although not essential.

To apply:
Please send your covering letter, CV, and a short portfolio (maximum 20 pages) to Tenecia Pearce, Office Manager, at [email protected] using 'Architectural Technician' as the subject line.

No agencies please.

Natural stone, slate roofs, traditional detailing, mature trees, and generous plots connect the six family homes at West...
14/08/2026

Natural stone, slate roofs, traditional detailing, mature trees, and generous plots connect the six family homes at Westfield House to the character of their village setting.

We took on this project after planning permission had already been granted for another scheme, but the approved mix did not reflect local demand or make the best use of the site.

We extended and converted the existing building into two substantial houses and reorganised the layout to accommodate a fourth new home.

The revised scheme increased the overall floor area, creating better homes and considerably greater value for our client.

Most importantly, the finished development looks completely at home in Aston.

The architecture of Oxford inspires and informs many of our projects. From ancient streets and iconic college buildings ...
07/08/2026

The architecture of Oxford inspires and informs many of our projects. From ancient streets and iconic college buildings to contemporary, boundary-pushing schemes, we work in an extraordinary place.

We were recently treated to a tour of the University of Oxford's largest single building project to date: the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. Designed by Hopkins Architects and Max Fordham, and constructed by Laing O'Rourke, it's a remarkable addition to the city.

Built to Passivhaus standards, the centre is a multi-purpose education facility capable of supporting up to 8,000 students a day. It brings together dedicated spaces for Oxford's internationally recognised Humanities faculties, including English Language and Literature, History, and Linguistics.

The building also provides a suite of performance spaces: the 500-seat Sohmen Concert Hall, a 250-seat theatre, a 'black box' immersive space, a dance studio, cinema, exhibition space, and a museum housing the renowned Bate Collection of historic musical instruments. Add a café, a bar, and extensive gardens, and it's easy to see why the Schwarzman Centre has become such a landmark.

Being immersed in Oxford's architecture is fundamental to our work, and remaining engaged with local organisations and communities helps us stay connected to a city where centuries of history sit comfortably alongside constant change.

Many thanks to Alexandra Vincent MBE for taking the time out of her busy schedule to show us around the Schwarzman Centre. We hope to be back soon for one of the many concerts on the horizon!



Riach Architects is looking for an enthusiastic Part 1 or Part 2 Architectural Assistant to join our expanding, award-wi...
04/08/2026

Riach Architects is looking for an enthusiastic Part 1 or Part 2 Architectural Assistant to join our expanding, award-winning RIBA Chartered Practice in Oxford.

This is an opportunity to work on an exciting range of high-end residential properties, listed buildings, and developments, while developing your skills within a collaborative and supportive studio environment. We offer opportunities for personal development, a competitive salary, and a positive working environment.

For Part 1 applicants, we're looking for someone with:
• Previous experience working in an office environment
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Creative Suite
• The ability to work to deadlines
• Excellent communication skills

For Part 2 applicants, we're looking for someone with:
• A minimum of one year's experience working in a UK architectural practice
• A high level of precision and attention to detail
• Excellent time-management skills
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Creative Suite
• Confidence communicating with colleagues and clients, both verbally and in writing
• Knowledge of technical construction, building regulations and tender package experience
• Experience of ArchiCAD or similar BIM software

To apply, please send your covering letter, CV, and a portfolio (maximum 20 pages) to [email protected], for the attention of Tenecia Pearce, Office Manager.

Please use either 'Part 1 Architectural Assistant' or 'Part 2 Architectural Assistant' as the subject line of your application.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Navigating tight and unusual planning constraints is a skill we've honed over decades of experience, and the project fea...
31/07/2026

Navigating tight and unusual planning constraints is a skill we've honed over decades of experience, and the project featured here – Orchard House – is no exception.

Tucked away near Witney, the late 20th-century Georgian-style property is set within a conservation area. Strict planning restrictions, particularly around the height of the extension, meant the client's envisioned orangery proportions weren't possible. Our task was to design a scheme that balanced the client's aspirations with planning requirements while remaining elegant and highly functional.

The existing 1990s extension was replaced with the new orangery, creating a far better connection between the home's living spaces, bringing more natural light into the heart of the house, and updating the internal layout for 21st-century family living.

Elsewhere, the front elevation received a subtle lift with the addition of a Georgian-style entrance porch, strengthening the architectural character of the house while creating a more welcoming arrival.

Throughout, the aim was to enhance the functionality and liveability of Orchard House while respecting its Georgian-style proportions and its setting within the conservation area.

Every historic building has a story to tell.As strip-out work continues at Park Town, we’re uncovering details that have...
24/07/2026

Every historic building has a story to tell.

As strip-out work continues at Park Town, we’re uncovering details that have been hidden for decades.

It is these moments that make working on heritage projects so rewarding, while also reminding us of our responsibility to balance conservation with transformation.

As details of the original construction and craftsmanship are revealed, we become better informed about how to approach the next chapter of the building’s life.

Our experience working with listed and historic buildings across North Oxford’s Conservation Area and Oxfordshire means we begin each project equipped with tried and tested knowledge. But it is only by remaining hands-on and attentive as work progresses that we can adapt and respond to the particular history and characteristics of each home.

Crucially, our eye is equally turned to the present and future – ensuring the finished home meets the expectations of contemporary living, while taking advantage of what is now possible in terms of energy performance and efficiency.

See our previous post on this project in Park Town to learn about the plans for the home, including the proposed extension, thermal upgrade and comprehensive refurbishment.

We are working with to bring our client's vision to life.

Loves House has evolved through successive additions over many years. The most significant of these transformed a modest...
17/07/2026

Loves House has evolved through successive additions over many years. The most significant of these transformed a modest cottage into a larger family house – creating a new frontage while leaving daily life centred around the rear entrance.

The clients came to us with a clear brief: improve the relationship between the house and its garden with a new kitchen and dining space, and resolve the practical requirements of family life with a boot room and utility.

The proposal extends the eastern side of the house into the existing garden. Rather than an isolated addition, it reconsiders how the ground floor is organised – the kitchen becomes the centre of the house, opening onto the garden and connecting spaces that had developed incrementally.

Alongside the extension, a new oak entrance porch gives the house a more legible principal entrance. Modest in scale, it strengthens the composition of the existing elevation and sits comfortably within the varied character of the conservation area.

The intention of this project is not to change the identity of the house, but to continue its evolution – new work introduced only where it improves how the building is used, with the existing fabric remaining the primary expression of the architecture.

The Bunch is a group of five early eighteenth-century timber-framed cottages that have, over time, been combined into a ...
10/07/2026

The Bunch is a group of five early eighteenth-century timber-framed cottages that have, over time, been combined into a single house. Although altered over successive generations, the building retains much of its original structure and the character that comes from continued occupation.

Our clients approached the project with a clear intention: to retain the qualities that make the house distinctive while adapting it to support contemporary family life. The work is therefore designed through selective alterations and the considered introduction of new spaces, rather than wholesale change.

The initial strip-out, undertaken by , has exposed the building's original timber frame. This has allowed its existing fabric to be understood more clearly, enabling it to guide the design and be celebrated.

The principal intervention is the reconfiguration of the living spaces, including the creation of a new vaulted room that will reveal the original roof structure. Elsewhere, the work is measured, seeking continuity with the existing building while accommodating new patterns of domestic life.

The project is based on the idea that the character of a house is not preserved by resisting change, but by designing with it.

Follow the project as it progresses.

Architect – Gareth Taylor
Architectural Assistant – Roxanne Chan

Address

65 Banbury Road
Oxford
OX26PE

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

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