James Ritchie

James Ritchie Architect Limited is a reputable architectural firm that has been delivering high-quality and innovative designs since its inception in 1999. The firm is led by James Ritchie, who has extensive experience in the industry and a portfolio of work that covers a wide range of building types. From commercial and retail developments to industrial units and production facilities, sporting establishments and hotels to country house alterations, listed building restoration to private client self-build projects, JRA has the expertise to handle it all.

Our Services

At JRA, we specialise in several areas of architectural services, including architectural lighting design, listed building work, construction risk management, sustainable architecture, and renewable energy projects. We are committed to providing considered creative design, encouraging high standards of professionalism, and carefully integrating related professional groups and differing skills of other disciplines.

Our services encompass both refurbishment projects, particularly on listed buildings and country houses, and new build schemes. James Ritchie takes personal charge of every commission from inception to completion and is assisted by professional and technical staff who form interchangeable teams to meet the demands of each project. We aim to provide careful, considered design that responds directly to our clients' requirements and the site while pushing creative boundaries and respecting the existing structures and heritage.

James Ritchie is also able to provide construction health and safety risk management advice to Clients for all stages of projects as well as acting as Principal Designer throughout the project from design inception to completion. We are happy to discuss any construction project that you may have in mind and give impartial advice prior to any appointment.

Listed Buildings

JRA has over 20 years of experience working with listed buildings, developing a sensitive approach to the repair, restoration, and alteration of listed buildings within the North East of England. We are able to bring a considered and dynamic approach to working with listed buildings and can assist and advise clients regarding the best way to approach local authority planning and listed building officers as well as Historic England to secure a successful design and construction outcome.

Our portfolio of listed building work includes repair works, creation of new bathrooms, new lighting, structural repairs and alterations, extensive alterations and extensions, and construction of stable blocks. We understand the importance of preserving the heritage and character of listed buildings while ensuring that they are functional and meet the needs of their occupants.

Residential Projects

At JRA, we see residential projects as a team approach where the architect works in close collaboration with the end user/client. We believe that an architect's job is to interpret the householder's lifestyle and desires and produce a design scheme that might otherwise not have been realised by the client.

We have a detailed knowledge of sustainable design issues and can advise clients regarding the possibilities of incorporating renewable energy systems into their projects and the upgrading of existing building fabrics in the most sustainable and practical way. Our residential projects include the refurbishment of former farmhouses and the construction of new kitchens adjacent to outbuildings, and extensive alterations and extensions to create five-bedroomed properties from farmhouses and bastles.