Richard Hands is an award-winning architect with over 30 years of experience in social, commercial, and public architecture. He specializes in sustainable and affordable housing design, with a focus on low-carbon and energy efficient buildings. Some of his projects include large-scale housing developments, mixed-use regeneration projects, and listed building restorations.

1. RICHARD HANDS ARCHITECT
Richard Hands is an award winning chartered Architect
with a broad experience across the fields of social,
commercial and public architecture with particular ex-
pertise in social and sustainable housing. He has com-
bined a passion for developing affordable and inclusive
energy efficient buildings together with educating pro-
fessionals and building users alike to achieve a low car-
bon future. This has been supported by practical
demonstration and in-depth research.
“Brilliant - spatial genius with a great eye
for an elegant concept. A happy repeat
client!” Roger Miles private client

2. Project Types
• Large scale regeneration housing
• Inner city mixed use projects
• New build and retrofit projects
• Passivhaus low to nearly zero energy design
• Energy strategies
• Restoration and reuse of listed buildings in city
& rural locations
• Interior design and space planning for
commercial interiors and private homes
• Public and private healthcare facilities
• Private houses & interiors
• Sports facilities
• Accessible social housing including supported
housing accommodation for the young home
less, young adults leaving care and drug and
alcohol rehab facilities and those with Autism
• Access survey assessments
• Community consultation and surveys
Specialist Skills
• 28 years of Partnership, LLP and Directorship
experience
• Project leader role from Inception to Final
Completion
• Regeneration Master Planning
* Marketing strategy and implementation
• Conceptual feasibility design studies
• Passivhaus Design
• Large panel timber frame methods
• Traditional JCT, Design and Build and Partnering
contracts
• Funding research and applications
• Space occupancy studies
• Vectorworks, SketchUp, InDesign, Microsoft
Office Suite for Apple Mackintosh
• Full SAP and PHPP energy modelling software
• U value and heat loss calculations
• Thermal bridge calculations using PassiTherm
software
Cultenhove Tree Belt Masterplan
Cornton Community Open Day
Memberships
• Royal Institute of British Architects
• Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland
• Architects Registration Board
• The Passivhaus Institute
• The Green Register
• Association of Environment Conscious Building

3. Research
• Development of an Affordable Low to Zero Car
bon Housing Model
• Horizon 2020 bid for the development of a new
tool to enable the design of effective low energy
buildings and districts
• Development of a knowledge transfer network
between academic research institutes and SME’s
in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, Vienna, Athens
and Averio Portugal.
• Creation and delivery of low energy design and
compliance presentations to client organisations.
Qualifications
• BA (Arch) Oxon 1st Class RIBA Pt 1. 1979
• Dip Arch Oxon RIBA Pt 2 1982
• RIBA Pt 3 1983
• Certified European Passivhaus Designer 2013
• Passivhaus EnerPHit Step by Step Retrofit 2016
• Renewable Energy Solutions ECT 2016
• Expert Witness training Academy of Expert
Witnesses London 2015
• CPD training & membership of the Green
Register since 2012
• Sustainable timber frame & reed bed techniques
CAT Wales 1994
• HNC Architecture 1976
• ONC Building 1974
Software
• Vectorworks 2D & 3D CAD
• SketchUp 3D CAD
• DesignPH Passivhaus low energy 3D design
• PHPP Passivhaus thermal modelling assessment
• SAP calculations for Building Standards
applications
• U value calculations
• Passitherm 2D Thermal Bridge modelling
• Word
• Excel
• Powerpoint
• Acrobat Professional
• InDesign
• Adobe Muse website design
Languages
• English
• Basic German
General Needs Housing Cultenhove
Larkfield: Community Survey part of the Masterplan Study
Awards
Shortlisted for the Regional Civic Trust Awards 2016
Saltire Award for best large scale housing award in
Scotland 2014 Paisley Scotland
Glasgow Institute of Architects award for best large
scale housing award in Scotland 2014 Paisley Scotland
The Scottish Homes Award 2014
Civic Trust Commendation for Holland & Thurstan
Dwellings, Covent Garden London
RIBA / Times Community Initiatives Award - Jubilee
Hall, Covent Garden
RICS Inner City Award - Jubilee Hall, Covent Garden
RIBA / Times Community Initiatives Award - Emer-
gency Shelter for teenagers Soho London
RIBA / DOE Housing Design Award - Castle Lane
Hostel
London Evening Standard - Inner City Housing Award

4. Richard Hands at FBN Architects
Richard was head hunted by the existing partners in the
summer of 2005 to run the then recently won Cul-
tenhove and Cornton masterplans in Stirling and
phased contracts to procure 500 + new homes.
Shortly after the successful completion of both master-
plans in late 2005 Richard was offered an associateship
with the practice, which he accepted.
Roles Within Practice
As a member of the management team he took over
responsibility for the following:
• Masterplanning projects
• Competitive project bids
• Design team leader
• Marketing
• IT management based on an Apple network
• Office property management
Partnership
In 2007 the partnership became a Limited Liability Part-
nership. Richard was offered a salaried partnership the
following year, eventually achieving full equity status in
2008.
Special Roles
Given the need for all housing associations to comply
with the upcoming changes to the Building Standards in
2010 which would adopt the recommendations of the
Sullivan Report Richard saw an opportunity to develop
the practices ‘Eco House’ project, which he was by then
managing, as a marketing tool to present to the prac-
tices major clients. This was achieved between 2008
and 2010 with presentations to twelve housing associa-
tions. Since then the practice has been appointed for 6
projects for 3 clients, to provide a total of 180 new low
carbon homes which are now complete.
More recently Richard has been successful in producing
a detailed feasibility study for a low carbon ‘retrofit’
project for 120 high rise flats in Dundee, which is now
also complete. As part of this appointment he made
successful applications for National Retrofit Programme
funding by the Scottish Government and ECO funding
from one of the main energy providers, the first in Scot-
land for an RSL.

5. FBN Architects 2005 - 2013
Partner since 2008
Private Housing
The Coach House Milngavie
FBN was commissioned to design a new private dwelling in the gar-
dens of an existing villa incorporating an existing disused sandstone
coach house. The linear nature of the new house is an attempt to
create a contemporary house that sits successfully in its sensitive
context, forming a relationship with the strong gabled forms of the
surrounding buildings and the existing coach house, thus utilising
rather than fighting against planning restrictions. The house is divided
into 3 entities, creating an assemblage of buildings reminiscent of
traditional outbuildings, rather than a single form. A double height
reception hall links the refurbished coach house and the main body of
the new house which gently steps down the sloping garden, culminat-
ing in a high ceilinged living space, flooded with light from the full
height glazing which opens out onto a generous deck overlooking the
existing mature garden. The upper storey contains four double bed-
rooms and the three bathrooms. The master bedroom is housed over
the main living space and shares the same garden vistas via a fully
glazed gable and balcony. The family room occupies the centre of the
house and provides open plan living, dining and kitchen areas which
pierce the envelope of the main house with glazed walls and roof
providing further visual and physical connection with the garden.
The Coach House builds upon FBN’s research into ‘low carbon’ hous-
ing and via the use of German construction methods combined with
micro-generation technology will result in the house being the first
‘carbon zero’ house in East Dunbartonshire,
Client: Private
Construction Cost: £450k Projected.
Tideways Burnham on Crouch, Essex
FBN was commissioned to provide a masterplan for the refurbishment
of a late ‘Arts and Crafts’ country house situated on the Crouch estu-
ary, Essex. The proposals include a complete restoration of the interi-
or of this 6 bedroom home, including additional bathrooms and
kitchen accommodation and all services. Additionally all walls floor
and ceilings will be insulated beyond current building standards, whilst
retaining the period feel of the house and a ground source heat pump
will be incorporated to drastically reduce heating costs.
Client: Private
Construction Cost: Confidential

6. Social Housing Projects
Charleston Square Paisley
Richard and his team beat off Page & Park to win this commission
with Loretto Housing Association in 2010. The design includes 37
socially rented houses and flats that surround a landscaped central
square and shared surface, 6 townhouses that line Neilston Road and
a courtyard building, which accomodates 10 supported flats for young
adults as well as a staff base. FBN Architects collaborated with Ian
White Associates on the Landscape Design.
The scheme when completed in October 2013 will be FBN’s the
‘greenest’ project yet. With many homes achieving an A rating. The
design is based on the ‘Fabric First’ approach researched by Richard
between 2008 and 2010, to ensure FBN’s clients could meet the re-
quirements of the 2010 Building Standards without the use of renew-
ables. The scheme also utilises MVHR and PV panels and is expect-
ed to more than meet the client’s requirement for a ‘Very Good’ Eco-
Homes rating.
The ‘Design Build’ contract is currently due to finish early and on bud-
get in October 2013.
Construction cost: £5.6m
FBN Architects Design Statement: “Our proposals are driven by the
desire to create a sustainable residential community of distinct char-
acter & lasting quality. The defining character of the proposal is a new
informal green heart which allows the architecture to form a backdrop
to this new recreational space. The architectural language combines a
contemporary aesthetic, a nod to local built forms and a response to
modern living patterns. Our view is that sustainability is the capacity
to endure, be it a lasting relationship with a friendly neighbour or the
enduring quality of your home. We want to encourage both. Our aim is
to reduce the burden of modern life by providing efficient, contempo-
rary houses by following our simple manifesto for achievable sustain-
able housing. Our intention is that this scheme will foster a sense of
community between residents and become a place where people
gossip in doorways, children scamper across parkland and where
someone can sit down and thumb through a magazine.”
Rona Anderson, New Initiatives Manager with Loretto says “Loretto
are delighted to be working with FBN Architects on the Neilston Road
project and offer our congratulations on the award of Planning Per-
mission. FBN have produced a very modern and innovative solution
to meet a challenging brief, and have worked hard to produce an ex-
cellent example of sustainable low-carbon housing at an affordable
cost to the Association. We are looking forward to the construction
stage and the Association is already receiving enquiries from local
residents about when the development will be available for let.”

7. Kildermorie Easthall Glasgow
Richard won two commissions to build the first two phases of this
regeneration project for Easthall, Glasgow. The 145 new homes will
significantly improve the housing environment in Kildermorie. The
designs were developed by working closely with the clients, Easthall
Park Housing Co-Operative and Moriehall Housing Association to-
gether with the tenants group, to develop contemporary house de-
signs, suitable for the sloping site. The interiors reverse the traditional
Scottish living room to the front, kitchen to the rear by providing large
living-dining rooms with French windows looking out over a rear ter-
race into the garden. The homes achieved a ‘very good’ EcoHomes
rating to help reduce energy costs and CO2 omissions.
Both phases, totaling 145 homes were completed within programme
and on budget.
Client: Eashhall Park Housing Co-Op
Construction cost: first phase £8.6m second phase £10m
Cultenhove & Cornton Stirling
Together with John Newman, Richard produced 2 masterplans for
these two problem estates owned by Stirling Council. A major element
of the brief was to engage with the local communities to develop and
achieve consensus approval of the masterplans by all Stakeholders.
The proposals also involved the use of locally-sourced and recycled
materials with high levels of insulation, and low energy in use. The
first two phases, one in each estate, total 166 houses and are now
complete. The designs involved the careful insertion of new housing
into existing neighbourhoods. If funding becomes available, further
phases may follow.
Client: Places for People
Construction cost: first phase £7.6m

8. Richard Hands Architect
Selected Projects 1995 - 2005
Private House Refurbishment & Extension
Highbury Crescent London N5
Extensive interior remodeling, external works and extension to
early Victorian House in sensitive location on Highbury Field-
s.The client returned to commission Richard to produce de-
signs for a steel and glass bridge which was completed last
year.
Price: £1.2m
Completed 2007
Colchester General Hospital
Colchester, Essex
Working with the Design Buro as a associate director to ad-
vise Amec Innisfree on decant exercises and a general over-
view of off-site construction opportunities and analysis, for this
major PFI project to extend the main facilities for Essex Rivers
Heathcare Trust. The proposals indicated a potential saving of
6 months on the overall programme and a substantial financial
gain.
Project value, £220m
Contract completion 2010
MRI Medical Imaging and Physiotherapy Clinic
City of London
Change of use and refit of 465m2 (5000sqft), ground &
basement floor offices in the CIty of London, within an
occupied office building, to provide a MRI, CT scan,
X-ray, physiotherapy & imaging consultancy.
Project cost excl medical imaging equipment, £600k
D&B contract complete in 16 weeks 2003
Offices for Post Comm, North Lambeth London
Design of new public access offices for the government dept
responsible for setting up competition within the postal indus-
try. Single 7000sqft office floor in a government leased build-
ing.
Project cost: £250k
D&B contract complete in April 2000

9. Culham Court - Henley
Consulting contract for the Interiors practice Robin Moore Ede
& Assocs. The refurbishment of a 1700’s grade 1 starred listed
estate house and stable blocks designed by William Cham-
bers.
Contract: 18 month cost plus contract.
Cost: £2,500,000.
Completed March 2000.
Carlton House - Victoria Park London
High quality refurbishment and alteration of a fine early Victo-
rian double fronted 4 level villa into a family home. The design
centers around the creation of a single 9m square ‘living
room’ in the lower ground floor that incorporates a family seat-
ing area, play space, kitchen and diner. The upper floors
house a master bedroom and ensuite bathroom, guest bed-
rooms and bathroom and a children’s second floor.
Contract: Six month Design Build ‘One Stop’ package.
Cost: £450,000. Completion February 1998.
CWB Ltd - Bishopsgate London
The relocation and expansion of this IT financial management
systems analysts company to new premises in the City
of London. The project involved a management and space /
use analysis to help procure the right building to match
present and future needs for the following 5 years.
Contract: Nine week Design Build ‘One Stop’ package.
Cost: £430,000. Completed April 1997.
The Sci - Fi Channel - Fitzrovia London
Competition win for RHA to design the complete interior for
the new cable TV channel. The scheme was published in the
Architects Journal in 1996.
Contract: Phased over 3 months Design Build ‘One Stop’
package.
Cost £275,000.

10. CGHP Architects London
Equal Partner from 1986-1995
The practices main aims were the promotion and development
of a balance of mixed uses in the inner city to ensure the con-
tinued vibrancy, safety and enjoyment of city life. To this ex-
tent the practice based its work in the support of a variety of
community and special needs groups and the provision of
public amenities such as theaters, museums, galleries, special
educational establishments and social housing. These were
blended with commercial and speculative projects which were
often used to support the more public uses.
Role Within Practice
Design
The practices main conceptual designer, producing sketch
schemes and feasibility's for a wide range of project types and
client groups. This also involved the detail design and man-
agement of projects through to completion.
Practice Management
In conjunction with the other two partners, dealing with p a r t-
nership, legal, property and staff relationship matters,
together with financial planning practice policy and the human
resource planning of projects.
Design Team Management
The practice operated on a team basis which varied from 2 to
5 per team, dependent on project size and type.
Design Team Leader
Co-ordination of design teams including structural, services
and transport engineers, landscape architects, quantity sur-
veyors and specialist sub-contractors.
Procurement of Work
The research and development of work from new and past
clients and inquiry into funding sources, including the Eu-
ropean Community, Government bodies and private concerns.
Ridgmount Pace - Bloomsbury London
This project involved the redevelopment of the last remaining
bomb site in Bloomsbury. A mix of 20 town houses and flats all
with roof terraces.
The scheme was short listed in that years RIBA / Times Hous-
ing Design Awards.
Contract: Design Build, acting as design architect and novated
to carry out detailed construction design, completed in De-
cember 1994.
Client: Soho Housing Assoc.
Cost: £1.2m.
New Shop Front for Berwick Street Shelter-Soho - London
Courtyard Housing, Ridgmount Place - London

11. Berwick Street Shelter - Soho London
This scheme was an important project in the development of
housing provision for the young and homeless. The brief was
developed closely with Centrepoint down to the smallest detail
and resulted in the first hostel to treat the homeless as ordi-
nary young people. In the early 90’s the building became re-
garded a prototype for the 'Foyer' schemes to follow. The
scheme won the 1991 RIBA / Times Community Award.
Contract: Traditional JCT with a traditional role for the archi-
tect. A 12 month contract, the project was completed under
budget in December 1989.
Client: Soho Housing Assoc and Centrepoint.
Cost: £530,000.
Jubilee Hall - Covent Garden London
This project represents one of the largest community initia-
tives ever undertaken in the UK, it involved the co-operation of
the community, local authority, local businesses and commer-
cial developers. The project was developed closely with the
Covent Garden Community Association from initial feasibility
studies, the production of a development brochure, developing
the scheme with Speyhawk Plc and administering the contract
on site with 5 different clients. As the site is located on the
Piazza and involved the grade II listed Jubilee H a l l t h e
process involved the Royal Fine Arts Commission, English
Heritage, Westminster Planning Authority and the Covent
Garden Community Association.
The scheme provides 15,000 sq ft of office space, an extend-
ed and refurbished street market, an extended and refur-
bished sports centre, 28 fair rented flats with roof gardens and
numerous restaurant spaces. The scheme was opened by the
Queen in August 1987 and has since won the 1988 RIBA /
Times Community Initiative Award and the 1988 RICS Inner
City Award.
Contract: Traditional JCT with a traditional role for the archi-
tect.
An 18 month contract, completed in August 1987
Clients: Speyhawk Plc, Covent Garden Community Associa-
tion, Jubilee Hall Market Traders Association, Soho Housing
Association, and Jubilee Hall Sports Hall Ltd.
Cost: £8.5m
New Soho Cafe in shop yard for Berwick Street Shelter
New Offices Street Market Sports Centre and Housing