Business Details
Heritage Architecture & Conservation Experts
Caroe Architecture is dedicated to the care and conservation of historical places alongside creating innovative new buildings. Our expertise spans ecclesiastical settings to complex urban, educational, and cultural environments. We specialise in creative conservation, enhancing the built environment while preserving its heritage. Our team combines thorough research with thoughtful design, ensuring projects respond intelligently to their surroundings. We maintain close relationships with clients, underpinned by trust and a holistic approach. Our heritage includes three generations of conservation architects, with Oliver Caroe appointed Surveyor of the Fabric to St Pauls Cathedral in 2012.We integrate significance assessments into all projects, prioritising sustainability and longevity. Our hands-on approach involves detailed inspections and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. We value research as the foundation of our conservation philosophy, pursuing high-quality, context-sensitive designs. Our ethos is built on enduring relationships, technical excellence, and a commitment to the historic environments sustainable future.
Services
Architecture
Creative Conservation
Sustainable Historic Buildings
Feasibility Studies
Master Planning
Heritage Consultancy
Conservation Management Plans
Historic Surveys
Grant Applications
Principal Designer Service
Highlights and features
- We have led conservation projects at St Pauls Cathedral since 2012
- Our team combines four generations of architectural heritage expertise
- We integrate statutory compliance with strategic heritage management
- Our research-driven approach ensures context-sensitive design solutions
- We deliver sustainable adaptations for Grade I/II* listed buildings
Services
Architecture
We deliver innovative architectural solutions for historic buildings, including extensions, adaptations, and accessibility improvements. Our work balances modern functionality with heritage preservation, ensuring compliance with planning and listed building regulations. Projects range from ecclesiastical spaces to cultural institutions.
Creative Conservation
Specialist conservation of historic structures using traditional materials and techniques. We address complex challenges in sensitive environments, from medieval abbeys to urban landmarks. Our approach prioritises longevity while maintaining historical integrity through rigorous condition assessments and repair strategies.
Heritage Consultancy
Strategic advice on heritage management, conservation planning, and statutory requirements. We prepare Heritage Statements and Conservation Management Plans to guide decision-making for historic sites. Our expertise supports clients through planning consent processes and heritage impact assessments.
Feasibility Studies
Comprehensive analysis of options for historic sites, assessing technical, financial, and regulatory factors. Studies inform funding applications and project development, ensuring viable solutions align with client aspirations while preserving architectural significance and meeting conservation standards.
Principal Designer Service
CDM compliance management for heritage projects, coordinating health and safety during pre-construction phases. We ensure safe execution of conservation work on historic structures, balancing risk management with preservation requirements across complex, often publicly accessible, sites.
People
Oliver Caroe
Director
Surveyor of the Fabric at St Pauls Cathedral since 2012, following a family legacy of conservation architects. Combines hands-on expertise with academic research, leading projects ranging from medieval masonry repairs to exhibition space conversions in historic contexts.
Mark Hammond
Director
Experienced architect specialising in ecclesiastical and listed buildings. Leads complex conservation projects with emphasis on technical precision and historical accuracy, maintaining the practices commitment to research-led architectural solutions for sensitive heritage environments.
Touseer Ahmad
Associate
Specialises in sustainable adaptations of historic structures, blending energy efficiency with conservation principles. Contributes expertise in building physics and traditional construction methods to ensure longevity of heritage assets while meeting modern performance standards.
Gregory Barrett
Lead Heritage Consultant
Historian and conservation specialist with academic credentials in architectural history. Focuses on heritage significance assessments and statutory compliance, providing critical analysis to inform conservation strategies and planning applications for protected sites.
Mary Duckham
Senior Architect
Specialises in ecclesiastical conservation and complex urban heritage projects. Combines technical expertise with historical research to deliver sensitive interventions in Grade I/II* listed buildings, ensuring structural integrity and preservation of architectural details.
Questions
What types of buildings do you specialise in?
We focus on historic buildings including churches, cathedrals, educational institutions, and culturally significant sites. Our expertise covers Grade I/II* listed structures and complex urban heritage environments.
Can you assist with listed building consents?
Yes, we manage the entire process from design proposals to submitting applications, working closely with local authorities and heritage bodies to secure planning and listed building consents.
Do you handle conservation outside London?
Our projects span the UK, including recent work in Cambridge, Suffolk, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire. We have experience with regional heritage requirements and local planning authorities.
How do you approach sustainability in historic buildings?
We integrate energy efficiency measures with conservation principles, using traditional materials and techniques to improve performance without compromising historical integrity or architectural value.
What is your experience with cathedral projects?
As Surveyor of the Fabric at St Paul’s Cathedral since 2012, we’ve overseen major conservation initiatives including accessibility improvements, bell restoration, and collections management planning.
