Oliver Richards

Oliver Richards founded Orms in 1984 and is a Director of the practice with John McRae and Colin McColl.

Oliver has been closely involved with projects of all kinds throughout the practice’s history, but since the early 1990s has specialised in finding new uses for former commercial buildings. His passion for architecture of all ages has informed a nevertheless contemporary design approach.

He says, “Throughout my career I have worked closely with both end users and developers to establish the principles and motives upon which a strong project can be created, resulting in major commercial schemes for Derwent Valley, Redevco, Great Portland Estates, Abstract Securities, GE Capital Real Estate and Workspace Glebe. This collaborative approach has also underpinned Orms’ work in the education sector, on projects at Highgate School, The King’s School Ely, and Uppingham and Tonbridge schools. I feel that our understanding of how to draw the best out of a team of consultants has enabled us to consistently produce projects of exceptional quality.”

Oliver has been Vice President for Education at the RIBA and is currently a chair of the newly formed Croydon Place Review Panel.

back to our people