Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Sustainable Architecture & Design Solutions in St Ives
Established in 1973, Poynton Bradbury Architects has cultivated a reputation as one of the South West's leading architectural practices. Our 50-year legacy is rooted in community-led design, sustainability, and innovation, creating architecture that drives social and environmental change. We specialise in crafting context-driven solutions that respond to people, place, and planet, with expertise spanning education, healthcare, heritage conservation, and sustainable urban design. As a certified B Corp and ISO 14001-accredited practice, we embed environmental stewardship into every project, from landmark public buildings to sensitive historic restorations.Our employee-owned structure fosters collaborative decision-making, ensuring every project benefits from collective expertise and a shared commitment to ethical, future-focused architecture. With studios in St Ives and Exeter, we deliver regionally and nationally significant projects that balance client ambitions with planetary responsibilities.
Services
Sustainable Architecture
Heritage Consultancy
BIM Services
Urban Regeneration
Passivhaus Design
Building Consultancy
Digital Modelling
Conservation Management
Masterplanning
Environmental Assessments
Details
- Year established: 1973
Highlights and features
- 50+ years' experience in architectural design and sustainability
- Certified B Corp with ISO 14001 environmental accreditation
- Employee-owned practice ensuring collaborative decision-making
- Specialists in heritage conservation and adaptive reuse
- Pioneers in BIM and digital innovation for construction
Associations and certifications
- ISO 14001
- B Corp
- RIBA Specialist Conservation Architect
What people say
Beautifully executed project
Positive experience
Sensitive restoration
Exceptional teaching spaces
Imaginative problem-solving
Services
Sustainable Architecture
Our sustainable architecture services integrate passive design strategies, low-carbon materials, and renewable technologies to create energy-efficient buildings. We specialise in BREEAM assessments, net-zero carbon pathways, and circular economy principles. With ISO 14001 accreditation, we ensure every project minimises environmental impact while maximising long-term value for clients and communities.
Heritage Consultancy
We provide specialist heritage services including listed building consents, conservation management plans, and historic building assessments. Our RIBA-accredited conservation architects balance modern functionality with historic preservation across Grade I-III listed structures. Recent projects include adaptive reuse of cultural landmarks and preparation of heritage impact assessments for planning applications.
BIM Services
Our ISO 19650-compliant BIM services enhance project coordination through 3D modelling, clash detection, and common data environments. We deliver digital twins, virtual reality visualisations, and parametric design solutions that improve construction efficiency. Our BIM execution plans ensure seamless collaboration between architects, engineers, and contractors throughout the project lifecycle.
Urban Regeneration
We specialise in masterplanning and urban regeneration projects that create vibrant, sustainable communities. Our placemaking approach combines socio-economic analysis with environmental considerations to deliver mixed-use developments. Recent work includes town centre revitalisations, waterfront redevelopments, and strategic housing schemes that respect local character and heritage.
Passivhaus Design
As certified Passivhaus designers, we create buildings with exceptional energy performance through airtight construction and advanced insulation. Our services include PHPP assessments, thermal bridging analysis, and overheating risk evaluations. We apply these principles across residential, education, and commercial sectors to deliver comfortable, low-energy buildings that meet rigorous sustainability standards.
People
Cian Spowart
Director
With over 20 years at Poynton Bradbury, Cian leads major projects including Cornwall Council's 60m Estates Transformation Programme. His portfolio includes educational facilities and sensitive heritage interventions, demonstrating expertise in balancing modern functionality with historic preservation.
Laura Highton
Director
RIBA Specialist Conservation Architect with extensive experience in adaptive reuse of historic buildings. Laura leads complex conservation projects valued up to 25m, specialising in transforming cultural landmarks while maintaining their architectural integrity and historical significance.
Simon Burgess
Studio Manager
Responsible for environmental management systems and ISO accreditations, Simon has led healthcare and residential projects across the UK. He spearheaded Poynton Bradbury's transition to employee ownership in 2019, ensuring collaborative business practices.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialise in?
We specialise in sustainable architecture, heritage conservation, urban regeneration, BIM services, and Passivhaus design across education, healthcare, residential, and public sectors.
Are you accredited for environmental standards?
Yes, we hold ISO 14001 accreditation and are a certified B Corp, demonstrating our commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable business practices.
How do you approach heritage projects?
Our RIBA-accredited conservation architects combine historic building assessments with modern design solutions, ensuring sensitive adaptations maintain architectural integrity while meeting contemporary needs.
Do you work outside Cornwall?
While based in Cornwall, we deliver projects nationally, including recent work in Exeter, London, and the North West, applying our expertise to diverse regional contexts.
What digital technologies do you use?
We employ BIM, 3D laser scanning, virtual reality visualisations, and parametric modelling to enhance design accuracy, client engagement, and construction efficiency across all project stages.
