Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Architects in Ipswich
Established in 1912 by Harold Ridley Hooper, Hoopers Architects is a RIBA Chartered Practice rooted in Ipswich. Our legacy spans over a century of delivering conceptually driven architectural solutions, specialising in regeneration projects that repurpose historic buildings while minimising environmental impact. We collaborate with clients who share our passion for innovative design, focusing on sectors including healthcare, education, residential, and community spaces. Our expertise extends to creating therapeutic environments for mental health facilities, aligning with NHS guidelines and integrating health and wellbeing into urban and rural contexts.With a portfolio encompassing schools, sports stadiums, and listed buildings, we prioritise craftsmanship, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement. Our team of skilled architects and designers combines technical excellence with creative vision, fostering partnerships that address contemporary social and environmental challenges. Recognised for awards such as the LABC Building Excellence Award and RIBA Suffolk Design Award, we remain committed to advancing architectural practice through interdisciplinary collaboration and consensus-driven design methodologies.
Services
Healthcare Architecture
Education Facilities
Residential Design
Community Spaces
Historic Building Adaptation
Details
- Year established: 1912
Highlights and features
- We have over 110 years of architectural experience in regeneration projects.
- Our team holds RIBA Chartered Practice status for design excellence.
- We specialise in NHS healthcare environments aligned with HBN guidelines.
- Award-winning portfolio spanning education, residential, and historic buildings.
- Collaborative approach integrating client vision with technical expertise.
Associations and certifications
- RIBA Chartered Practice
- NHS SBS Framework Agreement
What people say
Award-winning designs
Deep sector knowledge
Client-focused approach
Sustainable solutions
Historic preservation expertise
Services
Healthcare Architecture
We specialise in designing therapeutic healthcare environments, including mental health facilities and hospitals. Our approach integrates clinical guidelines with human-centred design, focusing on light, materials, and spatial orientation to support recovery. Projects like Rivers Hospital demonstrate our commitment to creating nurturing environments aligned with NHS standards.
Education Facilities
Our education projects encompass schools, sixth-form buildings, and special needs facilities. We create functional, inspiring spaces that enhance learning, such as the RIBA-awarded 'The Nest' SEND facility. Designs prioritise natural light, accessibility, and integration with surrounding landscapes to foster student wellbeing.
Historic Building Adaptation
We revitalise listed buildings and historic structures while preserving their architectural integrity. Recent work includes the Ipswich Building Society refurbishment, balancing modern functionality with traditional craftsmanship to ensure sustainable reuse of cultural assets.
Community Spaces
Our community-focused projects include sports facilities, churches, and social housing. We design inclusive environments that promote social interaction, such as Bethesda Baptist Church's accessible entrance and Grimwade Street's award-winning social housing development.
Residential Design
We create bespoke residential projects ranging from single dwellings to large-scale housing schemes. Designs like Ambient House and College Farm integrate indoor-outdoor flow and contextual harmony, ensuring homes that are both innovative and responsive to their surroundings.
People
Craig Driver
Director
BA(hons) DipArch RIBA. Leads strategic direction and project delivery, combining technical expertise with a passion for sustainable design and client collaboration.
Jamie Alston
Senior Associate
BA(hons) MArch RIBA. Specialises in complex healthcare and education projects, ensuring innovative solutions that meet evolving client needs.
Ross Warren
Senior Associate
BA(hons) DipArch ARB. Focuses on historic building adaptation and residential design, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern functionality.
Scott Alexander
Architect
BA(hons) MArch RIBA. Contributes to diverse projects with a commitment to creating spaces that enhance community wellbeing.
Aaron Padmore
Architectural Assistant
BA(hons) DipArch. Supports design development with a focus on emerging technologies and sustainable construction methods.
Questions
What sectors does Hoopers Architects specialise in?
We focus on healthcare, education, residential, community spaces, and historic building projects, with expertise in regeneration and sustainable design.
Are you accredited by professional bodies?
Yes, we are a RIBA Chartered Practice and listed on the NHS SBS Framework Agreement for architectural services.
Can you work on listed buildings?
Yes, we specialise in adapting historic structures while preserving their architectural integrity, as seen in our Ipswich Building Society project.
Do you collaborate with healthcare professionals?
Yes, we partner with clinicians on mental health facilities, integrating therapeutic design principles aligned with NHS guidelines.
What awards have you won?
Recent accolades include the LABC Building Excellence Award for Grimwade Street and the RIBA Suffolk Design Award for 'The Nest' project.
How do you approach sustainability?
We prioritise adaptive reuse of buildings and low-energy designs to minimise environmental impact across all our projects.
