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Richard Owers is a director of Owers Warwick Architects, and a Trustee of Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry.  He is the former Chair of the Cambridge Association of Architects and has acted as a design panel member for both SHAPE East and the Cambridge Design and Conservation Panel, as well as on the editorial board of the Cambridge Architecture gazette.

Richard studied at the University of Edinburgh and trained at Edward Cullinan Architects. From 1992 he worked in private practice in Berlin. As an associate at Wuttke & Ringhoff he collaborated on two competition-winning schemes for public buildings: Weimar City Hall and Meiningen Town Hall. He returned to England in 1997 and joined Penoyre and Prasad Architects where he worked as an associate on a number of arts, education, health care and housing schemes.

Richard set up Plastik Architects in London in 2002, was short-listed for “Young Architect of the Year” in 2007 and joined forces with Nicholas Ray to create NRAP Architects in 2007. He has been a visiting tutor and internal examiner at the University of Wales in Cardiff and has acted as an independent design consultant to the Kent Architecture Centre. He has written articles on urban design and sustainable architecture for “EcoTech” magazine, developed a design module for the Open University and contributed to professional journals in Britain and Germany.

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After working for over 20 years in London, I joined the practice in 2018, having decided to relocate professionally to Cambridge, where I live with my family.

I am now a co-owner of Owers Warwick Architects. Over the last few years, I have enjoyed growing the commercial and educational sectors of the business together with modernising our practice.  I am proud to have been part of building an excellent, talented and enthusiastic team.  I am passionate about promoting sustainable architecture, in particular, reuse of existing structures.   I have been fortunate in my career to have worked across a variety of industry sectors including residential, education, workplace, office, hotels and transport.

Before moving to Cambridge I was an equity director at ORMS where I designed and led several large, high-profile projects including the Standard Hotel in Kings Cross, the refurbishment of 160 Old Street and 3 Broadgate.  Working for 3 years in a multi-disciplinary practice I gained experience on Crossrail and low-energy schools.  For 13 years I was an associate director at a Bennetts Associates. For my year out I worked in Kingston, Jamaica.

Outside running our practice,  I am the Chair of the BCO East Anglia Chapter helping to run events throughout the year.  I am an RIBA Part 3 examiner at Westminster University,  Architectural Association and RIBA North West.  I tutor and present a seminar on the Cambridge University Part 3 course.

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James is a qualified architect with ten years experience post-part III. He has a drive for the technical aspects and delivery of projects with a focus on sustainability, building performance and detailing.

James has a wealth of experience with student accommodation, education and residential – both refurbishment and new build. James has worked with many heritage assets across the UK, from light-touch modifications to full adaptation into residential use, bringing building performance up to modern sustainable standards.

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Rachel joined OW Architects in August 2019, returning to Cambridge where she studied as an undergraduate. She graduated from Newcastle University with distinction in her Part II studies and completed her RIBA Part III qualification at the University of Cambridge.

Rachel has experience working across a range of sectors including residential schemes, science and education, cultural and commercial.

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Cristina joined OWA Architects in 2026, after having previously worked in London in the architecture and high end design sector.

With a degree in Interior Design and Philosophy and a Masters in Applied Philosophy and Cultural Management, Cristina is passionate about the power of architecture in building sustainable, equitable and inclusive places and communities.

Cristina works closely with the Directors in developing and enhancing the practice’s systems, processes, and culture. Outside the office, Cristina’s time is spent writing, going to the theatre, opera, gigs and as many art exhibitions as possible.

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Rory joined OW Architects in July 2020, after graduating from the University of Sheffield with Distinction in his master’s studies. He completed the Collaborative Practice course while working for 2 years at BDP in Birmingham, combining his academic studies with practice-based experience on a number of education and residential development projects. He used his studies to develop his interests in the future role of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the construction industry and understanding of how technology can improve productivity and sustainability.

Rory previously worked at AFL Architects in Manchester on several Healthcare projects, and at Rodney Melville + Partners in Leamington Spa on the conservation of a series of listed churches and stately homes. He completed both his BA Architecture and his RIBA Part III at the University of Cambridge.

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Ellen joined OWA early in 2024. She is an Architect with over 5 years experience in the commercial sector. During this time she has worked on multiple projects in central London, working with clients such as Derwent London and The Crown Estate, on projects ranging from shell and core design through to fully furnished offices. Her experience also includes pavilions and gallery design.

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Adam joined OWA in 2026 after completing his MArch at the University of Cambridge, where he previously undertook his undergraduate studies. His academic work explored architecture’s relationship to food systems and community infrastructure, with particular focus on adaptive reuse and collective space-making.

Adam has been involved in projects for several Cambridge Colleges, gaining experience within complex and historic buildings. With a strong interest in the careful adaptation of existing fabric and material reuse, alongside environmentally and socially responsive design, he approaches practice with technical rigour and a research-led perspective.

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Charles joined OW Architects in August 2021 after relocating from Australia. Charles previously worked in Melbourne at Cox Architecture on a variety of project types that included residential, commercial, cultural, sports and infrastructure. Projects varied in scale and included the 6.5 million-pound conversion of the historic Nicholas Hall into a boutique commercial tenancy, the 18.0 million-pound refurbishment of 150 Lonsdale Street which included podium extension, lobby and communal occupant spaces and the approved 150.0 million pound 383 Latrobe Street comprising 44,000sqm of A-Grade office space over 33 levels and the Elizabeth Street North development consisting of 70,000sqm of biomedical, office and retail space.

Charles graduated from Monash University in 2016 with a Master of Architecture, he has bachelor degrees in Arts and Architecture and commenced an MST in Built History at the University of Cambridge in 2020.

Charles is passionate about adaptive reuse and the role of architects in ensuring a more sustainable future.

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Jane is an ARB-registered architect and Certified Passive House Designer with experience across residential, commercial, civic and healthcare projects in rural Scotland.

Her work has ranged from bespoke private homes and the sensitive retrofit of listed buildings to affordable housing developments, community-led public buildings and commercial office projects. She works collaboratively, with experience in community liaison, public consultation, stakeholder engagement and the close coordination of consultant teams.

Jane has a particular interest in sustainability, building performance and the thoughtful integration of new interventions within existing contexts.

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Zhina joined OW Architects in February 2025 after completing her Master of Architecture at the University of Sheffield. Her academic work focused on user-centred design and the role of architecture in fostering community, themes that were central to her dissertation on adaptive reuse. Her interest in art, together with her experience in animation, has informed her architectural approach, particularly in how she considers narrative, movement, and visual communication within the built environment.  

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Christy joined OW Architects in November 2025 as a Part 1 Assistant after completing her BArch at the University of Nottingham. During her degree she incorporated her passion for art and making things into her studies, where she focused on community regeneration and the urban environment. She designed a retirement housing scheme for her thesis project.

Outside of the office Christy is an aspiring elite Triathlete, medalling at the World Aquathlon Championships in 2025. 

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Sam joined OW Architects as a bookkeeper and general administrator in 2008. She is responsible for our day-to-day financial administration.

Meli joined OW Architects in 2019 and is experienced in office security and people management. Her interests outside of the office include a passion for food and sleep.