Business Details
12 Years
experience
Award-Winning Architectural Design in Richmond
Established in 2014, we are a leading architectural practice specialising in residential, extra care and dementia care homes alongside multi-use developments. Our clients trust our market insight and expertise in the later-living sector to deliver innovative care environments. We assess new sites and create design solutions that are deliverable, operable, profitable and aesthetically pleasing. Our work focuses on creating buildings that foster thriving communities where residents feel at home.While our core focus is large-scale care developments, we also deliver projects in leisure, equestrian, education and housing sectors. Backed by ISO 9001 quality management systems, our collaborative team combines technical excellence with creative design to achieve exceptional outcomes for clients nationwide.
Services
Architectural Design
Residential Care Homes
Dementia Care Facilities
Extra Care Developments
Leisure Sector Projects
Equestrian Architecture
Education Sector Design
Housing Developments
Site Assessment
Quality Management
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We have completed over 50 major residential care projects since 2014
- Our team includes specialists with 25+ years' sector experience
- We maintain ISO 9001 certified quality management systems
- We offer technical expertise across care, leisure and education sectors
- Our collaborative approach ensures client needs drive every design
Associations and certifications
- ISO 9001
Services
Architectural Design
Our architectural design service creates innovative solutions for residential and commercial developments. We specialise in care environments that balance functionality with aesthetic appeal, ensuring compliance with sector-specific regulations. Our team delivers projects from concept to completion with technical precision and creative vision.
Residential Care Homes
We design purpose-built residential care homes that prioritise resident wellbeing and operational efficiency. Our spaces incorporate dementia-friendly features and modern amenities while maintaining commercial viability. Each project benefits from our deep understanding of care sector requirements and regulatory standards.
Dementia Care Facilities
Our dementia care facilities combine specialist design principles with practical functionality. We create safe, stimulating environments that support cognitive needs while enabling efficient staff workflows. Designs incorporate evidence-based solutions aligned with current research and best practice guidelines.
Education Sector Design
We deliver modern educational facilities including nurseries, primary schools and learning centres. Our designs prioritise flexible learning spaces, accessibility and energy efficiency. Projects integrate seamlessly with community needs while meeting strict educational sector requirements and safety standards.
Quality Management
Our ISO 9001-certified quality management system ensures consistent project delivery. We maintain rigorous quality controls across all stages from initial concepts to final construction documentation. This framework guarantees technical accuracy, regulatory compliance and client satisfaction across our diverse project portfolio.
People
Mike Irwin
Executive Director
With over 25 years' experience, Mike leads healthcare architecture projects including multiple award-winning care facilities. He re-established Harris Irwin in 2012 and specialises in translating complex briefs into innovative built solutions that meet both client and resident needs.
Juliette Irwin
Managing Director
As Practice Manager since the company's inception, Juliette oversees business operations and team development. She ensures smooth project delivery while maintaining the firm's collaborative culture and commitment to continuous improvement across all architectural services.
Ian Holme
Director
Ian brings 30 years' healthcare architecture experience, focusing on dementia design standards. He has contributed to over 150 care projects nationwide and leads initiatives that align operational requirements with innovative architectural solutions for elderly care environments.
Ben Garlick
Director
Ben specialises in education and healthcare architecture with 11 years' experience delivering nurseries, schools and care facilities. He coordinates multidisciplinary teams to translate client briefs into award-winning built environments that balance functionality with aesthetic quality.
John Gresham
Director
John manages technical design packages for construction projects and leads BIM implementation. With 30 years' industry experience, he ensures rigorous technical standards across projects including care homes, medical centres and energy infrastructure developments.
Questions
What architectural sectors do you specialise in?
We specialise in residential care homes, dementia facilities, extra care developments and education sector projects. We also deliver leisure, equestrian and housing schemes across the UK.
How experienced is your design team?
Our directors have 25-30 years' sector experience with multiple award-winning projects. The team includes specialists in dementia design, BIM implementation and healthcare architecture.
Are you certified for quality standards?
Yes, we maintain ISO 9001 quality management systems to ensure consistent delivery of technically accurate, compliant architectural solutions across all our projects.
How do you approach client collaboration?
We use a client-centric process with regular consultation throughout design and construction phases. Our team works closely with stakeholders to ensure final buildings fully meet operational and strategic requirements.
What geographic areas do you cover?
While based in Richmond, North Yorkshire, we operate nationwide with completed projects in locations including Exeter, Aylesbury, Shalford and the North East.
