Business Details
13 Years
experience
Your Trusted Architectural Partner in Newport, Wales
RA Architects is a design-led architectural practice established in 2013, operating from Newport, Wales. With a team of experienced professionals, we deliver comprehensive architectural services across education, residential, healthcare, commercial, and retail sectors throughout the UK. Our approach combines creativity, technical expertise, and a commitment to sustainable design, ensuring projects meet both client aspirations and regulatory requirements. We pride ourselves on a 98% success rate in planning applications, achieved through innovative 3D modelling and a deep understanding of local and national planning policies.As a Chartered Practice with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), we uphold the highest standards of professionalism and service excellence. Our client-centric methodology, supported by over 75 years of combined team experience, ensures tailored solutions that transform spaces and enhance quality of life. Testimonials highlight our ability to navigate complex projects, from heritage conservation to modern developments, while maintaining transparency and client engagement throughout the process.
Services
Education Architecture
Domestic Architecture
Healthcare Architecture
Commercial Architecture
Housebuilder Services
Retail Architecture
Details
- Year established: 2013
Highlights and features
- We maintain a 98% success rate in planning applications through advanced 3D modelling techniques
- Our team includes RIBA-chartered architects with sector-specific expertise across five key industries
- We offer a full-service approach from concept design to construction phase management
- Our 75+ years of combined experience ensures mastery of complex planning constraints
- We specialise in sustainable design solutions tailored to both new builds and heritage projects
Associations and certifications
- Royal Institute of British Architects
What people say
Breath of fresh air
Exceeded expectations
Professionalism exemplary
Visionary designs
Stress-free process
Services
Education Architecture
Specialising in educational architecture, we create inspiring learning environments from nurseries to universities. Our designs incorporate modern teaching methods, accessibility standards, and sustainable materials while maintaining 98% planning approval success. Projects include forest school initiatives and university public realm developments.
Domestic Architecture
We deliver residential solutions ranging from single extensions to bespoke new builds. Our three-stage process includes planning applications, builder selection, and construction management. With over 200 completed projects, we specialise in overcoming planning constraints for countryside properties and conservation areas.
Healthcare Architecture
Our healthcare architecture covers surgeries, care homes, and specialist facilities. We apply health board standards creatively to meet operational needs while ensuring patient comfort. Recent projects include dementia care units and respite centres with enhanced accessibility features.
Commercial Architecture
We design commercial spaces including offices, leisure facilities, and industrial units. Our expertise extends to grant-funded projects and sustainable retrofits. Recent work includes transforming disused sites into modern business hubs while maintaining operational continuity for existing businesses.
Retail Architecture
Our retail architecture services cover both new builds and heritage-sensitive refurbishments. We create functional spaces that enhance customer experience while meeting commercial requirements. Projects include restaurant conversions and mixed-use developments in historic buildings.
People
Richard Andrews
Principal Architect
With 21 years in construction, Richard combines practical experience with RIBA-chartered expertise. He specialises in education, residential, and commercial sectors, having worked with firms like Chapman Taylor and Atkins Global before founding RA Architects in 2013.
Lewis Shaw
Associate
Lewis holds RIBA qualifications and has led projects like the Elmbridge Court office development. He specialises in sustainable architecture, bringing expertise from his studies at the Centre for Alternative Technology to commercial and residential schemes.
Antonella Mariani
Senior Architectural Designer
Antonella graduated from Sapienza University of Rome in 2015. Her work focuses on residential developments and planning compliance, combining Italian design principles with UK building regulations expertise for bespoke housing solutions.
Rhys Hughes
Architectural Technician
With 20+ years' experience, Rhys specialises in technical drawings and CAD systems. He supports projects from concept to completion, applying his expertise in architectural technology to ensure precise implementation of design specifications.
Dominic Phillips
Architectural Technologist
Dominic joined RA Architects in 2022 after graduating from UWE. He brings modern CAD software expertise to the team, supporting design projects while developing his knowledge under senior architects' mentorship.
Questions
What architectural sectors does RA Architects specialise in?
We specialise in education, residential, healthcare, commercial, and retail architecture, delivering projects across Wales and the UK since 2013.
How does RA Architects handle planning applications?
We achieve a 98% success rate using advanced 3D modelling and deep planning policy knowledge, managing applications from initial concept to approval.
Can RA Architects assist with sustainable design?
Yes, sustainability is core to our practice. We integrate energy-efficient solutions and prioritise brownfield development in residential and commercial projects.
Do you work with both private and public sector clients?
We serve both sectors, including social housing providers, healthcare institutions, and commercial developers, adapting our approach to each client's specific needs.
What areas does RA Architects cover?
While based in Newport, we operate across Wales and the wider UK, with recent projects in Bristol, Cardiff, and South Wales regions.
How does RA Architects support construction phase management?
We provide full project oversight, including builder selection, tender processes, and regular site inspections to ensure quality control and specification compliance.
Reviews (5)
David Quinn
Oct 11, 2020
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Designed and converted our stables into a one bedroom annex with home office, and did an outstanding job. Richard himself oversaw the project and kept in regular contact with me, updating me throughout. Honest and transparent from day one with regards to project costs and potential issues. We now have a beautiful annex for guests to stay in, and a state of the art office with views for me to work from. I will be using Richard Andrews for future projects and can recommend this business highly.
Gareth Jones
Oct 02, 2020
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Have caused me enormous stress over several years (from 2015).
Failed to locate public sewers at outset. Had to have my own sewer survey done. Then had to negotiate with Welsh Water for Building Over agreement which required changes to the original plans. That took another year.
Employed incompetent builders who took a year to build an extension and left many faults behind. Even now there are faults needing rectification (Feb 2020). I have given up dealing with this company.
Failed to locate public sewers at outset. Had to have my own sewer survey done. Then had to negotiate with Welsh Water for Building Over agreement which required changes to the original plans. That took another year.
Employed incompetent builders who took a year to build an extension and left many faults behind. Even now there are faults needing rectification (Feb 2020). I have given up dealing with this company.
Introbiz Uk & Introbiz Expo
Dec 19, 2019
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We instructed Richard Andrews to do our property renovation and design in Saundersfoot and what a fabulous company they are. The ultimate professionals, nothing is ever too much trouble and their attention to detail is second to none . The drawings and ideas that they have done are fabulous and suggested things to save us money. Richard is always on the end of the phone for advice and support and we would not hesitate to recommend to all of our contacts, friends and family and we look forward to a long working relationship with the team as we start investing in more property projects. Tracey Smolinski
Zeshan Tariq
Dec 11, 2017
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2 hours before the appointment I get a Bail Out phone call apparently it was too small of a Job for them. So if you want to use this firm make sure your job is BIG enough for them. Waste of my time I had to take time off work
Shaunna Corten
May 24, 2013
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RA Architects are a great firm who help with planning permission and building design. Would definitely recommend them to others looking for help with house builds, extensions and all other projects!
