About
About Richard
Richard Bassett is a UK registered architect specialising in small scale residential design. Based in Suffolk, Richard has over 20 years of experience in the design and planning of modest, sensitive interventions which harmonise with their physical and environmental context.
With a background in Interior design, prior to studying architecture at the Royal College of Art, Richard can offer a unique perspective on your project. His work always references human scale and ergonomics across all scales, from furniture design to masterplanning, as well as having a focus on beauty and truth to materials.
Richard has lived in East Anglia for 20 years, during which time he has gained an understanding of the local vernacular, its construction techniques and detailing. He has built up a specialism for working in listed contexts, having gained planning approvals for alterations to grade II and II* buildings, but is equally at home working on more modest buildings, such as the Victorian terrace, mid-century modern housing or new builds.
Scope of Service
Richard offers a range in scope of service from design and planning advice, through to overseeing the construction phase of projects, and can tailor a fee proposal to your requirements based on the complexity of the project. Work stages quoted for typically follow the RIBA plan of work stages.
Initial consultations are undertaken on a free, no obligation basis. Richard likes to think that ‘design is a conversation’ and that properly listening to the client can unlock design potential and add value to any project.
Developing a good relationship with a client is fundamental to the success of all projects, and communication is always undertaken in an honest and positive way.
Design Process
Richard often builds models to explore design options, and believes that the physical model is one of the most understandable forms of design communication.
‘Models allow the designer to test three dimensional space and communicate it to the client in a tangible way, whilst having links to experimentation and play, that allows for innovation and fun’.
Adding Value
Getting what you want
Richard is good at designing to a budget and believes that sometimes there might be simpler ways for a client to get what they want. Simplification, clever use of space, and breaking a project into phases are some of the strategies used for adding value.
Image: Thursford Castle (with LSI Architects)