Senior architect

Critical Playground LLC; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with annual reviews

Performance-related bonus

Clear progression and influence within

Ongoing training and development

Collaborative studio with shared meals

Remote/work from home days

Enduring, thoughtfully crafted work

Job summary

Richard Parr Associates in London seeks a senior architect to lead design delivery for bespoke residential and hospitality projects across the UK and internationally.

You are ARB-registered with 5+ years post-Part 3 experience, skilled in high-end residential or hospitality work, and proficient with AutoCAD; SketchUp and Rhino are welcome. The role is hands-on, design-led and site-aware, within a collaborative studio.

Qualifications

• ARB-registered architect with 5+ years post-Part 3 experience
• Experience in high-end residential or hospitality work
• Comfort leading projects, mentoring others and working with clients
• Deep interest in materiality, proportion and detail
• Technically confident, well organized and thoughtful in decision-making
• Values relationships with clients, consultants, craftspeople, and contractors
• Able to discuss hand sketches or material samples as well as construction details
• Strong AutoCAD skills; SketchUp, Rhino and visualization tools advantageous

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptual and detailed design across multiple projects
• Produce clear, elegant drawings and visuals communicating intent
• Run client meetings, workshops and consultant coordination
• Collaborate with craftspeople, suppliers and fabricators on bespoke elements
• Maintain strong on-site presence and champion quality through construction

Skills

ARB-registered architect

Leadership & mentoring

Client liaison

Materiality & detail

Project leadership

Communication

Tools

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Rhino

Visualization tools

Job description

Richard Parr Associates is hiring a senior architect to join its team in London.

At RPA, we practise what we call modern traditionalism, architecture that respects heritage while looking forward, rooted in craft, culture, and place.

We don't have a house style. Every project is approached afresh, shaped by landscape, context, and the lives of the people who will inhabit it. Our work is calm, confident, and highly bespoke - guided by long-term relationships and a belief in architecture with legacy.

We're now looking for a senior architect to join our multidisciplinary studio and play a central role in the design and delivery of exceptional residential and hospitality projects in the UK and internationally.

The role

This is a senior, hands-on position for an architect who enjoys thinking deeply, leading calmly, and seeing ideas realised with care.

Working closely with Richard and the wider team, you'll take ownership of projects from early conversations and sketch design through to detailed delivery and site. You'll help shape the architectural direction, guide teams, and protect design intent through construction.

This is not a role for spectators, it suits someone who values judgement, collaboration, and responsibility.

About you

You are likely to be:

• an ARB-registered architect with five plus years post-Part 3 experience
• experienced in high-end residential or hospitality work, ideally bespoke and craft-led
• comfortable leading projects, mentoring others, and working directly with clients
• deeply interested in materiality, proportion, and detail
• technically confident, well organised, and thoughtful in your decision-making
• someone who values relationships - with clients, consultants, craftspeople, and contractors
• you're as happy discussing a hand sketch or material sample as you are resolving a construction detail or leading a site meeting
• strong AutoCAD skills are essential; experience with SketchUp, Rhino, and visualisation tools is advantageous

What you'll do:

• lead conceptual and detailed design across multiple projects
• produce clear, elegant drawings and visuals that communicate intent
• run client meetings, workshops, and consultant coordination
• work closely with craftspeople, suppliers, and fabricators on bespoke elements
• maintain a strong on-site presence and champion quality through construction

What we offer:

• competitive salary with annual reviews
• performance-related bonus
• clear progression and genuine influence within the studio
• ongoing training and development
• a collaborative, cultured studio environment with shared lunches and events
• the opportunity to work on architecture that is thoughtful, crafted, and enduring
• allotted remote/working from home days

Eligibility to work in the UK is required.