Roger Mears Architects

General information

Roger Mears Architects was set up in May 1980 and the majority of its work has been gained by personal recommendation from satisfied clients. The office is in Islington, but jobs have ranged as far afield as Dorset, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Wales. Most work is with listed buildings (whether Grade I, II* or II) and particular expertise has been developed in dealing with them. Members of staff are encouraged to attend courses run by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), whose philosophy of conservative repair informs the approach to all work. The principal, Roger Mears, is accredited as an architect in building conservation (AABC).

Many domestic alterations and extensions have been completed. In designing these, close attention is paid to detail, with the aim of complementing existing buildings and using the best of traditional and, where appropriate, modern materials. Care for the environment and sustainability are major concerns. Daylight and sunlight are encouraged into buildings where possible and attention is paid to energy-saving, using environmentally friendly materials.

While most projects are domestic, ranging from substantial country houses to small London terrace houses and from substantial extensions to minor repairs, the practice has also been involved in alterations and repairs to churches in London and Wales and alterations to listed shop and office premises for a book publisher.

As a consequence of our overall aims, which are to do what is best for a building as well as for our clients, we have generally found that local authority conservation officers and English Heritage are very receptive to proposals we submit for planning and listed building consent. The result is that negotiations are normally civilised and fruitful.