Oliver Richards Email & Phone Number

- Founder of Orms and dedicated to creating an architecture that listens.I founded Orms in 1984 and am co-owner of the practice with John McRae. Orms has grown rapidly over the last thirty years and has seen the development of many architectural practices that have spun off into their own space and flourished individually.I have been closely involved with projects of all kinds throughout the practice’s history, but have specialised in finding new uses for former commercial buildings since the early ‘90s, as sustainability is a very important issue which I believe must be constantly addressed. My passion for architecture of all ages has informed a nevertheless contemporary design approach.Throughout my career I have worked closely with both end users and developers to establish the principles and motives upon which a strong project can be created, resulting in major commercial schemes for Derwent Valley, Redevco, Great Portland Estates, Abstract Securities, GE Capital Real Estate and Workspace Glebe. This collaborative approach has also underpinned Orms’ work in the education sector, on projects at Highgate School, The King’s School Ely, and Uppingham and Tonbridge schools. I feel that our understanding of how to draw the best out of a team of consultants has enabled us to consistently produce projects of exceptional quality.I served as Vice President for Education at the RIBA from 2009 to 2013 and chaired the Education Committee which is responsible for validating architectural courses at university courses in the UK and overseas. In this role I also chaired the juries for the RIBA student medals and the Annie Spink award for architectural teaching. I previously sat on the CABE/Design Council review panel for schools.

Listed skills include Architectural Design, Sustainable Design, Mixed Use, Feasibility Studies, and 13 others.