ARTARCHITECTS
now working with Sheppard Architects
ARTARCHITECTS is a design-led firm of Architects specialising in the repair, sensitive adaptation, and creative re-use of historic buildings and settings.
We enjoy the process of working collaboratively with our clients and other specialists to find practical ways to conserve and enhance heritage environments for the long term, and to improve access to our shared historic places.
Our process begins with understanding of the complex settings in which we work. The architectural forms of historic buildings, the cultural significance of particular places, and the needs of current and future users are all important to us.
Interventions that we design are developed with close reference to the context, and to the future sustainability of places for the people who care about them. Sometimes this requires a sensitive repair, carried out discreetly to “show no pretence of other art”; sometimes a more substantial intervention is necessary to ensure the long-term conservation of the setting or its purpose.
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We have the resources and expertise of an established RIBA Chartered Practice; a team of registered Architects and architectural staff with creativity and problem-solving imagination; accreditation as conservation architects through AABC and ongoing academic engagement at UK and international universities.
Alex Veal
BSc(Hons) BArch DipArch PhD ARB RIBA AABC
Director
Alex was registered as a RIBA Chartered Architect in 2008, and as an Architect Accredited in Building Conservation in 2014. He co-founded ARTArchitects to pursue his interest in historic building conservation, and the development of architecture in sensitive heritage settings.
Alex’s PhD thesis, completed in 2008, investigated cultural influences on twentieth-century architectural movements in Europe, and these issues continue to inform his approach to work in practice. He has previously worked at architectural offices in the UK, Europe and Japan, including at Kengo Kuma Associates, Caroe & Partners and Building Design Partnership.
Alex continues to teach Architecture alongside his work in practice. He currently delivers a course on ‘Recycling Architecture’ at New York University in London, and lectures on the Interior Architecture & Design at the University of Hertfordshire.
He is an active member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association, and is Heritage and Architecture consultant to the Hertfordshire Design Review Panel.
Toshiya Kogawa
BEng DipArch ARB RIBA
Director
Toshiya is an experienced RIBA Chartered Architect. Prior to co-founding ARTArchitects in 2014, he studied Architecture in Japan and the UK, and worked at internationally-renowned practices Dixon Jones and Haworth Tompkins.
His strong attention to detail and in-depth understanding of materials and construction reflect his interests in building technology, traditional construction techniques, and associated craft skills. These aspects of architectural practice are especially relevant to his current work, which combines architectural conservation and contemporary design interventions – often in sensitive historic contexts.
Alongside work in practice, Toshiya holds the position of Senior Lecturer at the University of East London. He has been actively engaged with architectural education for many years, and currently teaches Degree Unit E at UEL.
Toshiya is a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, and Architecture consultant to the Hertfordshire Design Review Panel.
Oliver Sheppard
BA (Hons) DipArch ARB
Senior Architect
Oliver trained at The Bartlett School of Architecture and London Metropolitan University and became a Registered Architect in 2014.
He has over a decade of experience in practice and began his career at Matthew Springett Associates where he led the office’s R&D programme and the construction of a site specific installation in rural Ireland. At Surface to Air Ltd he worked as an assistant client design adviser for Camden council’s Schools for the Future programme and organised a RIBA design charette, linking local schools with emerging architects.
At his previous practice, Sheppard Architects LLP, he delivered a range of projects including one off private residences, small scale housing developments on challenging sites and the sensitive repair and adaptation of listed buildings. Oliver has specific experience of working in historic city contexts a broad range of skills as a designer and strong interest in making.
He is currently working on projects of repair and alteration to several important historic buildings in London including a Grade 1 Listed Church by Sir Christopher Wren.
Katie Campbell
BA (Hons) MArch
Part 2 Architectural Assistant
Katie was awarded a Distinction in her MArch degree in Architecture at Central Saint Martins in 2022. Prior to this, she studied at Newcastle University, where she achieved a First Class BA(Hons) degree in Architecture.
Katie has a strong interest in architectural heritage, and has been commended for her research on the history of Old Kent Road in London. Her essay on the benefits of sharing the historic environment with a wider range of people led to her nomination for Central St Martins’ ‘Cultural Heritage Award’ (Spatial Practice) in 2022.
Prior to joining ARTArchitects, Katie worked at Buckley Gray Yeoman Architects in London, and at LCE Architects in Brighton. She has also carried out historic building research for ‘what if: projects’ in London.
Katie is a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, and continues to develop her interest in building conservation, and the sensitive adaptation of historic places to accommodate wider audiences.
Charles Sheppard
BA (Hons) DipArch ARB RIBA SCA
Consultant
Charles has worked for over 40 years as a chartered Architect and has a wealth of experience across most sectors and all stages of the design and construction process. His experience includes contemporary new build projects together with repair, refurbishment and alteration of existing buildings of many types. He has particular and extensive experience working with historic buildings and especially ecclesiastical ones. Many have been important landmark and Grade 1 listed buildings.
He is particularly adept at understanding client’s needs to adapt existing buildings and at creatively designing and realising contemporary alterations and additions to heritage buildings and within heritage settings. Although he is Conservation Accredited at the highest RIBA level, he strongly believes that conservation must include for sensitive changes to such heritage buildings and environments. This to ensure their continuing fitness for purpose within increasingly technological contexts and to ensure their sustainable futures.
Charles was a partner of Lloyd Sheppard Architects from 1997 and has been senior partner of Sheppard Architects since 2007. He is pleased to now also be able to act as consultant to ARTArchitects, who share the same values and design philosophy.