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Who we are
Stanley Architects Ltd is an award winning, modern, RIBA chartered, architectural practice specialising in creating beautiful bespoke homes. We are based in Berkhamsted and Radlett, Hertfordshire.
We have the skills and experience to navigate the complexities of the planning system particularly in rural and Green Belt locations as well as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
We love working with heritage buildings and we are well connected with crafts people and great contractors that also have a passion for what they do.
We have a network of other specialist consultants we can recommend ensuring your dreams are achievable from day one of the design journey.
Our values
We listen and work collaboratively
We consider context, landscape and ecology
We are innovative and open minded
We have a passion for heritage
We carefully select the building materials
We love working with skilled crafts people
We keep up to date with modern technologies
We co-ordinate the construction details carefully
Above all we look after YOU from beginning to end
The Practice
The Senior Architect, Sean Stanley, qualified as an RIBA Chartered Architect in 1994. He has worked for some of the industry’s high-profile practices in the UK including BDP, Terry Farrell & Partners, and SOM.
In 2006 Sean founded Stanley Architects Ltd and in 2015 Hannah joined the practice as a senior architectural designer. Together they have worked with many homeowners and private developers in The Home Counties and South of England, creating unique and award-winning living environments.
Often the practice employs university architectural students for their year-out placements and A-level students for a week’s work experience.
We are a friendly, straight-talking and approachable practice and we pride ourselves on the innovative solutions we create that are only possible by working collaboratively with our clients, consultants, suppliers and building contractors.
Our Approach
Stanley Architects design simple, elegant buildings and alterations with internal layouts driven by the functional relationships between their uses, whilst celebrating craftsmanship.
Every design is unique because we respond to the surrounding context and the site’s topography that in turn affect the form and massing of the project. Your requirements inform the flow and layout of the spaces and we develop a concept diagram for the scheme early in the design process.
We take the time to listen to YOU, bringing our experience and expertise to the table in order to create unique and inspiring designs for YOU.
Stanley Architects is not a planning and drafting service. We provide a unified design solution that has been thoughtfully considered and is co-ordinated right through to completion of the project.
We are open-minded, lateral thinkers: thriving upon new challenges; seeking innovative solutions to problems; always striving to provide contemporary designs that are both simple and elegant.
Every project is treated with professional enthusiasm and we will offer constructive advice on what is practical and achievable. A dialogue or balance between the "Idea" and the pragmatics of "Building" are constantly being thought about as we progress a design.
We always find solutions to difficult challenges and complex problems, and have earned an excellent reputation for the quality of our service.
Our skills and experience ensure that the design and construction process are managed professionally and diligently; the completed design will be a place that you will enjoy, with family and friends, whilst fulfilling the functional requirements of your brief.
Through collaboration with our clients, other consultants, suppliers and contractors, we collectively create unique and inspiring designs that suit both the project budget and timescales. Many of these projects have received commendations and awards for ingenuity and design.
A home for LIVING
We understand that our projects will be experienced by people of all ages in a variety of circumstances. The places that we live in are important to us: they are our private spaces where we go after work, where we bring up our families, where we entertain our friends. We have many memories and emotional ties with our homes.
Whether YOU want to completely transform your home or add some additional space that enhances your existing one, we will listen to YOU and test the Brief, ensuring that the completed project retains a consistent ‘look and feel’ and remains your home.
Our clients are at the centre of everything that we do; above all, our aim is to create homes which YOU will enjoy living in.
Landscape + Context
Before we begin designing your project we spend time walking around the local area to appreciate the neighbouring properties and surrounding context.
How your building or extension relates to the external landscape is always considered from the beginning to ensure key views are captured and subtle variations in topography are recognised.
To achieve a sense of place and home, we connect your project with the landscape, and the design carefully responds to the neighbouring context.
Environment
Our approach always considers the long-term impact of the project on the environment and we have the design and technical skills to orientate the building and rooms to benefit from the movement of the sun and time of day.
Over heating in the summer months is becoming an important consideration and our architecture responds to these issues to maintain cooler interior environments.
The form and construction detailing of the property are developed to reduce overheating in the summer and heat losses in the winter.
In conjunction with the above we work with specialist energy and building services consultants who can design your renewable services such as the air-source heat pump and hot water storage; photovoltaic solar panels and battery storage; underfloor heating; mechanical and ventilation heat recovery for fresh air; low energy lighting; and air-conditioning amongst other things.
Materials
We take time carefully selecting the materials used to construct your project because when you touch your building you connect with it and the texture, warmth and colour of the surfaces can bring joy to your experience if thoughtfully chosen.
We know how to ensure the right materials are specified for the right conditions. We check that the products have been independently tested and have suitable life expectancies requiring limited to no maintenance.
Community
We like where we live and work, and we are closely involved in local community issues.
Our clients include Parish Councils, local charities and other public bodies. We are involved with public building design and are passionate about how these contribute to the wider community.
We also sit on committees for civic societies from time to time, and assist local residents when necessary with local planning related matters.
Timeline
Awards
2025 20 Goodyers Avenue, Radlett
Best New Home award, Hertfordshire Building Control
2025 Birchwood, Berkhamsted
Best New Home award, Schuco Awards
2023 Old Cottage, Berkhamsted
Environmental Award, Berkhamsted Citizens Association
2014 Tower House, Walkern
Commendation - Domestic category, Hertfordshire Association of Architects.
2010 Pool House, Radlett
Commendation - Small Works category, Hertfordshire Association of Architects.
2009 Ashridge Loft, Radlett
Commendation - Spirit of Ingenuity Home category, RIBA East of England.
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