Business Details
Award-Winning RIBA Chartered Architects in Poole
We are a RIBA chartered architectural practice dedicated to creating functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces that positively impact both people and the environment. With studios in Poole and Swanage, our award-winning team has delivered projects across the South Coast, London, Liverpool, and Dublin. Our directors, Paul Robinson and Laurence Bowen, bring over 20 years of combined experience, having graduated from prestigious institutions including The Bartlett School of Architecture and Oxford Brookes University. We prioritise a client-centric approach, offering regular review meetings and guiding projects from initial concept through to construction completion.Our expertise spans residential, commercial, and educational sectors, with a strong commitment to sustainable design principles. We assist clients with planning approvals, building regulations, and builder selection while maintaining rigorous quality control throughout the build process. Our design philosophy balances creativity with practicality, ensuring spaces respond to their context while meeting evolving user needs.
Services
Residential Architecture
Commercial Design
Planning Approvals
Sustainable Architecture
Project Management
Highlights and features
- 20+ years' experience delivering award-winning architectural projects
- RIBA chartered practice with fully qualified, registered architects
- Client-centric approach with dedicated director-level involvement
- Proven expertise in securing planning and building regulation approvals
- Integrated sustainable design principles in all projects
Associations and certifications
- Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
What people say
Award-winning designs
Creative problem-solving
Client-focused approach
Sustainable expertise
Detailed planning
Services
Residential Architecture
We create bespoke residential projects including new builds, extensions, and renovations. Our approach combines spatial creativity with technical precision to deliver homes that reflect client needs and site context. From contemporary chalet bungalows to timber frame houses, we ensure functional layouts and aesthetic coherence while navigating planning constraints.
Commercial Design
Our commercial architecture services transform warehouses into offices and create modern workspaces. We focus on balancing practical requirements with innovative design, as demonstrated in projects like Hatlapa's Bournemouth headquarters. We prioritise accessibility, sustainability, and brand-aligned aesthetics in all commercial developments.
Planning Approvals
We manage the complete planning process from initial assessments to submission. Our expertise includes securing listed building consents, discharging planning conditions, and preparing detailed supporting documentation. We advise on ecology reports and tree surveys to ensure regulatory compliance while maintaining design integrity.
Sustainable Architecture
Environmental responsibility guides our design process. We incorporate passive design strategies, sustainable materials, and energy-efficient systems. Our approach considers daylight optimisation, thermal performance, and long-term adaptability to create buildings that minimise environmental impact while enhancing occupant wellbeing.
Project Management
We provide comprehensive project management through all RIBA stages. From initial brief development to final snagging, we coordinate consultants, review contractor drawings, and conduct site inspections. Our fee proposals are tailored to each project's scope, ensuring transparent cost management and quality control.
People
Paul Robinson
Director
RIBA chartered architect with 20+ years' experience, graduated from The Bartlett School of Architecture in 1997. Specialises in translating complex briefs into innovative spatial solutions while maintaining close client collaboration throughout the design process.
Laurence Bowen
Director
Experienced RIBA architect graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 1997. Focuses on creating meaningful connections between buildings and their environments, with particular expertise in transforming challenging sites into functional, inspiring spaces.
Questions
What architectural services do you offer?
We provide full-service architecture including residential and commercial design, planning applications, building regulation approvals, and construction phase management across the UK.
How do you involve clients in the design process?
We maintain regular client review meetings throughout all RIBA stages, ensuring continuous collaboration from initial concept development to final construction details.
Are you experienced with planning applications?
Yes, we have extensive experience securing planning permissions, including complex cases involving listed buildings and conservation areas.
What sustainability principles do you apply?
We integrate passive design strategies, sustainable materials, and energy-efficient systems while optimising natural daylight and thermal performance in all projects.
How are your fees structured?
We provide transparent, project-specific fee proposals following initial free consultations, with costs tailored to each project's scope and complexity.
Which areas do you cover?
While based in Poole and Swanage, we work across the South Coast, London, Liverpool, and Dublin with proven experience in diverse planning contexts.
Reviews (1)
Darryl Howells
Mar 14, 2017
Report
I have worked with RBStudios on several projects, mainly when I was a planning officer. The team are creative, professional and sometimes aspirational in their plans.
