Business Details
7 Years
experience
Expert Architects in Hereford & Cheltenham
Established in 2019, KODA Architects is a collaborative practice based in Hereford with a team of experienced professionals serving clients across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Shropshire, and the wider UK. Our directors, Fred Hamer and Alex Whibley, bring combined expertise spanning over 25 years in residential, commercial, ecclesiastical, and conservation architecture. We specialise in balancing innovative design with sensitivity to historic structures, delivering tailored solutions for private clients, developers, and community organisations. Our approach prioritises collaboration with planning authorities, contractors, and consultants to achieve successful outcomes that respect both client aspirations and regulatory requirements. With a proven track record in complex projects including Grade I and II listed building conversions, church reordering, and sustainable residential developments, we combine technical excellence with a commitment to preserving architectural heritage.Our team holds professional accreditations including RIBA, AABC, and CIAT memberships, ensuring adherence to industry standards. We maintain transparency throughout the design and construction process, offering services from initial concept development to contract administration, while fostering strong relationships with local craftspeople and approved contractors. Our work has secured planning approvals for challenging projects in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and historic contexts, reflecting our ability to navigate intricate regulatory landscapes. Through a philosophy of honest design and material consideration, we create spaces that harmonise contemporary needs with historical integrity, as evidenced by our diverse portfolio encompassing barn conversions, new-build homes, and ecclesiastical conservation projects.
Services
Residential Architecture
Commercial Projects
Church Reordering
Conservation Architecture
Barn Conversions
Farm Diversification
Contract Administration
Quinquennial Inspections
Sustainable Design
Historic Building Consultancy
Details
- Year established: 2019
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years' experience in residential and conservation architecture
- Our team holds RIBA and CIAT professional accreditations
- Proven success in securing planning approvals for complex listed building projects
- We provide end-to-end services from concept design to construction management
- Specialist expertise in ecclesiastical repair and church reordering projects
Services
Residential Architecture
We specialise in residential architecture covering house extensions, new-build homes, and property renovations. Our services include site appraisals, planning applications, and detailed design development. With expertise in both contemporary and traditional architecture, we create functional living spaces that respect existing structures and local planning constraints while meeting modern living requirements.
Conservation Architecture
Our conservation architecture services focus on preserving historic buildings through sensitive repairs and adaptive reuse. We handle listed building consents, condition surveys, and traditional construction techniques. The team has extensive experience with Grade I and II listed properties, including barn conversions and ecclesiastical structures, ensuring compliance with heritage regulations while implementing modern functionality.
Church Reordering
We provide specialist church architecture services including quinquennial inspections, reordering proposals, and repair works. Our team manages faculty applications and heritage grant funding processes. With expertise in both structural conservation and liturgical requirements, we help congregations adapt historic church buildings for contemporary community use while maintaining their architectural significance.
Commercial Projects
Our commercial architecture services cover office developments, retail adaptations, and agricultural diversification projects. We assist with site feasibility studies, planning submissions, and construction management. The practice has particular expertise in converting traditional buildings for modern commercial use while balancing cost-effectiveness with design quality and regulatory compliance.
Barn Conversions
We specialise in barn conversion projects under Class Q permitted development rights. Our services include feasibility assessments, planning applications, and detailed design work. With extensive experience in rural contexts, we transform agricultural buildings into residential homes and commercial spaces while preserving their historic character and meeting modern building standards.
People
Fred Hamer
Director & Specialist Conservation Architect
Fred Hamer is a Chartered Architect with over 20 years' experience in historic building conservation. He specialises in ecclesiastical repairs and holds AABC accreditation for listed building projects. Fred leads complex heritage schemes across the UK, combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of traditional construction methods.
Alex Whibley
Director & Chartered Architectural Technologist
Alex Whibley brings 25 years' experience in residential and commercial architecture. As a CIAT-registered Architectural Technologist, he oversees project delivery from concept to completion. His expertise includes new-build homes, property extensions, and navigating planning challenges in sensitive locations.
James Morris
Architectural Assistant
James Morris is an experienced Architectural Assistant with a focus on ecclesiastical and residential projects. He contributes to design development and technical detailing across various sectors, bringing a design-led approach to both small-scale renovations and large commercial schemes.
Flora Grayson
Architectural Assistant
Flora Grayson is a graduate Architectural Assistant working towards RIBA accreditation. She focuses on sustainability and conservation projects, applying a systems-based approach to design. Her work balances environmental considerations with practical building performance requirements for residential and heritage contexts.
Questions
What architectural services do you offer?
We provide residential, commercial, and ecclesiastical architecture services including new builds, renovations, barn conversions, church reordering, and conservation projects. Our expertise covers all RIBA stages from initial concept to construction management.
Which areas do you cover?
Based in Hereford, we operate across Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Shropshire, and throughout the UK. Our experience includes projects in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and historic conservation areas.
Can you handle listed building projects?
Yes, we specialise in Grade I and II listed building conservation. Our services include quinquennial inspections, repair specifications, and navigating listed building consent processes with local authorities.
Do you work with developer clients?
Yes, we support developers with site appraisals, feasibility studies, and multi-unit developments. Our experience includes sustainable housing schemes and agricultural diversification projects under Class Q permitted development rights.
What church architecture services do you provide?
We offer church reordering, quinquennial inspections, and repair works. Our team assists with faculty applications, heritage grant funding, and adapting historic church buildings for modern community use while preserving their architectural significance.
Reviews (5)
Sarah Whitehead
Sep 23, 2021
Report
The Quinquennial inspection of St Martin de Tours church
in Woolstone Gloucestershire took place in June. The report sent to the church warden was the most detailed document,probably the best
quiquennial inspection we have ever had .Many thanks to Fred
in Woolstone Gloucestershire took place in June. The report sent to the church warden was the most detailed document,probably the best
quiquennial inspection we have ever had .Many thanks to Fred
Miss Lewis
May 29, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality
Fred was amazing. He gave brilliant advice on aspects of the property that would require work and the options for completing this. He provides detailed and well considered designs and was really supportive throughout. Highly recommend KODA architects.
Fred was amazing. He gave brilliant advice on aspects of the property that would require work and the options for completing this. He provides detailed and well considered designs and was really supportive throughout. Highly recommend KODA architects.
Melissa Gardner
Mar 29, 2021
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We asked Koda to design a small house that would fit on a large piece of our garden. To our surprise they were able to get in a 3 bed house with bathroom and downstairs cloakroom. We couldnt have been happier with the design. Koda also helped get us through the planning approval process, which was lengthy, but successful. We would 100% recommended their services and would use them again if needed.
Doreen Hooper
Feb 21, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Responsiveness
Excellent service with attention to detail, delivered by an enthusiastic and friendly team.
Excellent service with attention to detail, delivered by an enthusiastic and friendly team.
Joanne Laurie
Nov 28, 2019
Report
Excellent service carried out by Fred at koda architects in the conversion and extension of my home in Hereford, would highly recommend.
