Business Details
29 Years
experience
Your Trusted Historic Building Architects in Buxton
Established in 1997, Bench Architects specialises in the repair, conservation, and adaptive reuse of historic buildings. Our practice combines meticulous research with contemporary design principles to deliver solutions that respect historical integrity while meeting modern functional requirements. With a multidisciplinary team of architects, planners, historians, and engineers, we manage complex projects ranging from parish churches to industrial archaeology. Our expertise in securing Listed Building Consents and Planning Approvals has earned us a reputation for tackling challenging projects others avoid. We collaborate with a network of traditional craftsmen and specialist contractors to ensure high-quality outcomes.Clients include private individuals, public authorities, and corporate entities, reflecting our versatility across sectors. Our work has been recognised through awards and commendations, including from the Friends of the Peak District Countryside Awards. We prioritise transparency, technical proficiency, and client collaboration, ensuring projects align with both heritage standards and economic objectives. Our team's deep understanding of materials analysis, historic paint schemes, and structural stabilisation underpins every project. With offices in Buxton, we serve locations across Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and beyond, maintaining strong relationships with Historic England and local planning authorities.
Services
Historic Building Repair
Conservation Plans
Architectural Surveys
Interior Design
Visitor Centre Design
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We have 25+ years of specialist experience in historic building conservation
- Our team includes RIBA-accredited architects and AABC-certified conservationists
- Proven success in securing complex Listed Building Consents and Planning Approvals
- We employ advanced 3D modelling and non-destructive investigation techniques
- Extensive network of traditional craftsmen for authentic restoration work
Associations and certifications
- RIBA
- AABC
What people say
Excellent knowledge
Professional manner
Award-winning designs
Meticulous research
Strong grant advocacy
Services
Historic Building Repair
Specialist repair of listed buildings using traditional materials and techniques. Our team conducts detailed condition surveys and produces specifications for structural stabilisation, plasterwork restoration, and reinstatement of lost architectural features. We ensure compliance with heritage regulations while maintaining historical authenticity.
Architectural Surveys
Comprehensive surveys including measured drawings, condition assessments, and repair schedules. We employ non-destructive testing methods to evaluate structural integrity and material composition, providing detailed reports to inform conservation strategies and grant applications.
Interior Design
Period-appropriate interior restoration including joinery, lighting, and paint schemes. We source authentic materials and collaborate with specialist conservators to recreate historic finishes, ensuring spaces retain their original character while meeting modern usability standards.
Visitor Centre Design
Contemporary visitor facilities within historic settings. Our designs integrate modern amenities using sympathetic materials and forms, as demonstrated in the award-winning Parsley Hay Visitor Centre. We balance accessibility requirements with conservation principles.
Conservation Plans
Strategic documents outlining long-term management of historic assets. These include heritage statements, feasibility studies, and grant advocacy, helping clients secure funding while preserving architectural significance through phased repair programmes.
People
Adam Bench
Director
RIBA Chartered Architect and AABC-registered conservation architect with 25+ years' experience in historic building projects. Specialises in Listed Building Consents and complex conservation challenges, particularly in ecclesiastical and domestic architecture.
Raida Kassim-Bench
Director
RIBA Chartered Architect with expertise in integrating modern interventions within historic contexts. Oversees project management for large-scale conservation schemes, maintaining strong relationships with local authorities and heritage bodies.
James Graham
Associate
MArch graduate specialising in heritage-led regeneration projects. Coordinates multidisciplinary teams for complex repairs, with particular focus on industrial archaeology and adaptive reuse of traditional buildings.
Andrew Harris
Architect
Experienced in producing detailed repair specifications and 3D models for conservation projects. Works closely with craftsmen to ensure technical accuracy in traditional building techniques for both ecclesiastical and domestic structures.
Neil Green
Architect
DipArch-qualified architect with specialist knowledge of period interior restoration. Manages material analysis and sourcing for authentic reinstatement projects, particularly in 18th-19th century domestic architecture.
Questions
What types of buildings do you specialise in?
We focus on listed buildings, churches, country houses, industrial archaeology sites, and conservation areas requiring specialist repair and adaptive reuse.
Can you help secure heritage funding?
Yes, we prepare detailed conservation plans and grant applications, having successfully secured English Heritage and other funding for multiple projects.
Do you work with traditional craftsmen?
We maintain a database of specialist contractors and traditional craftsmen for authentic restoration work, including plasterwork, joinery, and lime plastering.
What planning approvals do you handle?
We specialise in Listed Building Consents, Planning Approvals, and heritage statements, with a high success rate for complex or contentious applications.
Are you experienced with public sector clients?
Yes, we work extensively with local authorities, Historic England, and amenity societies on conservation projects across Derbyshire and the Midlands.
