About
The practice was set up in 2013 with an aim to develop responsive architecture, through a close understanding of client users, their lifestyle and needs. Tom took a conscious decision to set up the practice to move away from highly commercially-driven briefs and contractor-led material selection and agendas. Tom’s own objectives for the practice are to spend time with clients and develop professional, lasting relationships to ensure that, together they are able to deliver new spaces tailor-made for their use. Straightforward and efficient solutions constructed with quality raw materials, simply combined, ensure that elegant proposals are possible for all budgets. Reducing energy use is a passion of the practice and always a key consideration while designing. Innovative or integrated storage is taken into consideration during the design and briefing to ensure buildings will work for their users, belongings and activities. Bespoke furniture or storage solutions can be included as part of the design service.
Tom spent 7 years working at Grainge Architects in Exeter, both as an architectural assistant before final qualification and as project-running architect, and prior to this in Cornwall at CAD Architects.
EXPERIENCE
During this time Tom has worked on a variety of project scales and sectors. He has worked on commercial, healthcare, sports, dwellings, extensions, developer housing, masterplanning, student housing, shops, listed buildings, modern shopping centres, within conservation areas, and in both urban and rural environments. Particular and notable projects include working at design development stage for the award winning Five Islands School on the Isles of Scilly, an eco farmyard conversion to holiday lets in Cornwall, refurbishment and extension of a listed building in Exeter, delivering four mental health hospital refurbishments totalling £9m within Devon and Somerset and several shopfit projects for Stormfront Apple resellers nationwide. Through this work Tom has developed good knowledge of environmentally sound building principles and techniques in a variety of sectors, and a good working knowledge of construction methods and details.
BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION
Tom was educated at the Welsh School of Architecture gaining a BSc in Architectural Studies and then a Bachelor of Architecture (BArch), before completing his post-graduate certificate in professional studies qualification at the University of Bath. Tom now practices on his own, but with a local network of other consultants as required for individual project’s needs. Working in the Southwest, in Cornwall and Devon, Tom has developed a working knowledge of the vernacular architecture, the planning authorities and other consultants to assist with developing designs. With his work on the Stormfront Apple stores and selected residential work he has further nationwide experience including within large shopping centre frameworks as well as small conservation areas.
LINKS AND MEMBERSHIPS
Tom is a Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and is registered with the architects registration board and works according to their codes of practice. Tom Spriggs Architect Ltd is a member of The Green Register
Tom has a public pinterest account where he keeps a scrapbook of liked things, things seen, or beautiful materials. There is no particular aesthetic or source for inspiration and some aspects are retained only for the catalyst idea, rather than the outcome, but by browsing you may find some common ground. It can be used as a useful scrapbook tool for discussion of materials and ideas. Feel free to have a browse. Tom has a Twitter account and makes relevant tweets now and again. The practice carries professional indemnity insurance covering the design work undertaken. The practice also supports the Twentieth Century Society with membership, helping safeguard the heritage of architecture and design in Britain from 1914 onwards, an era often overlooked for preservation.