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Community & Culture

At RISE we offer an end-to-end architectural design and support service for owners and managers of heritage sites and cultural landmarks, as well as art galleries.

How We Help

We undertake restoration and renovation projects for historical and culturally significant buildings at all different scales, with a range of services related to preserving and restoring the building’s character while updating it to meet current needs as well as above and beyond current building regulations.

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Feasibility Studies

Step 1: Feasibility Studies

We can conduct a feasibility study to determine the viability of your project, assessing potential renovation options, evaluating your initial project costs, and identifying any significant risks or challenges that might affect your project.

 

Conceptual Design

Step 2: Conceptual Design

Helping develop your vision and requirements for your space, creating a strong foundation on which to develop preliminary design concepts.

Design Developments

Step 3: Design Developments

Our team will work with you to refine your agreed concept, incorporating greater detail and coordinating with other professionals where necessary to create a workable proposal. 

Documentation

Step 4: Documentation

We can help you with all the documentation and applications required to administer your project, obtaining the consents you need and minimising the risk of any delays.

Project Management (1)

Step 5: Project Management

Cultural venues often have unique design requirements, including specific lighting, climate control needs, and acoustics. Our experienced team of skilled architects will project manage your build according to your specific plans and specifications, ensuring that the needs of the building are accommodated at every stage.

Our Approach – Tackling The Challenge Of Modernising Cultural Spaces While Preserving Their Historic Essence

Our Approach – Tackling The Challenge Of Modernising Cultural Spaces While Preserving Their Historic Essence

Our unique approach helps address the challenges of renovating and reinvigorating historic and culturally significant buildings and venues for the needs of a contemporary audience. Each project involves crafting unique, functional and beautiful spaces, which accommodate a diverse range of art forms.

Our experienced and skilled architects can help you:

  Incorporate sustainable practices into your renovation to ensure the longevity and community relevance of your cultural space.

  Enhance the visitor experience to your design, making each visit more engaging and memorable.

  Increase the practicality and accessibility of your venue for a wide range of cultural events, opening up valuable revenue streams and opportunities for funding.

  Bring all your stakeholders together in a shared vision that resonates with the history of your venue while looking towards the future.

The Benefits Of Working With RISE

The Benefits Of Working With RISE

At RISE Design Studio, we focus on creating environments that not only enhance artistic expression but also deepen audience engagement.

Our team are specialists in delivering unique, beautiful, and functional spaces for customers in the cultural and arts sector.

We’ll help you set the stage for memorable and enriching cultural experiences, creating an ongoing story that continues the cultural and historical legacy of the premises under your care. We also recognise that many of the buildings we work with are cultural and historical landmarks in their own right and will work with you to sensitively merge contemporary design with the original features of the building, to preserve and deepen its unique character for future generations.

View Our Culture & Arts Projects Request A Consultation

Why Choose RISE?
Architecture that elevates cultural experiences

14+
Years designing for community, culture, and public purpose

100%
Planning approval rate on cultural and heritage-led projects

Award-Winning
Cultural projects, including cinema, gallery, and performance spaces

Low-Energy
Design embedded into every cultural brief, without compromise

3D
Design and VR tools used to engage stakeholders from concept to completion

Highly Trusted
By public bodies, charities, and cultural institutions alike

Deep Retrofit Expertise
On heritage and community buildings across London

Featured Projects

Elmwood Lawn Tennis Club New Clubhouse
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Elmwood Lawn Tennis Club New Clubhouse

Elmwood Lawn Tennis Club is a community focused tennis club, providing the local community a space for social events and tennis play. RISE was invited to design an extension to the existing clubhouse providing much needed additional accommodation and improved facilities including sustainable measures.

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The Lexi Cinema & Lexi Hub
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The Lexi Cinema & Lexi Hub

This wellness retreat is a sanctuary in the Norwegian countryside; a sustainable building that blends modern design with rural traditions to create a harmonious escape for body and mind. The architecture seamlessly integrates with the landscape, offering a unique connection to nature through thoughtful design and eco-conscious construction.

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Langley Vale Visitor Hub
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Langley Vale Visitor Hub

This gateway complex is a bridge between worlds; an innovative architectural project that seamlessly connects ancient and new woodlands while offering a striking contrast through its thoughtful design.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I balance contemporary design with my building’s historical features?

Through a personalised historical integration consultation, we can help you merge modern aesthetics with the timeless attributes of your building for a unique expression that respects a building’s heritage while also looking ahead to its future. Our design philosophy is founded on respect for architectural heritage whilst increasing functionality and contemporary appeal.

In what ways do your designs support and respect the historical and cultural significance of my building?

Our design approach involves in-depth research into the historical context, style, and usage of your building, as well as consulting local historians, heritage specialists, and structural engineers to develop a design that highlights rather than overshadows the cultural significance of your site.

How can you help me balance my budget constraints while meeting the design expectations of my stakeholders and customers?

Our team is experienced in devising budget friendly design strategies for cultural and artistic organisations that maximise value without compromising on quality. We work with you at every stage to explore creative solutions that meet both your budget and the design expectations of your stakeholders and customers.

What sustainability practices are integral to our cultural projects?

Eco-conscious and sustainable practices are a cornerstone of the cultural design projects we work on at RISE. From selecting low-impact materials to optimising energy efficiency within your space, we help ensure that every project nurtures its environment and community context for generations to come.

How do I manage a project involving complex stakeholder structures?

We recognise that many heritage restorations have a complex and multilevel stakeholder structure, and so specialise in a project management approach that helps you navigate the expectations of various stakeholders, funders, customer groups, and local/government authorities. The result is a unified approach that helps bring clarity to your project goals and ensures that all voices are heard and integrated into your final design.

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Lexi Cinema

Testimonials - Sally Wilton

Founder Of Lexi Cinema

When The Lexi Cinema needed to renovate, we sought an architectural firm that shared our values of sustainability, community, and creating spaces that inspire. RISE Design Studio exceeded expectations, transforming our charity cinema with an elegant, eco-friendly design that nurtures the cinematic experience and our community ethos. We wholeheartedly recommend RISE to any cinema seeking exceptional, ethical architecture.

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Want To Learn More About RISE?

Download A FREE Copy Of One Of Our Brochures

More information can also be found in one of our free downloadable guides, which explores a few of our recent projects in further detail and demonstrates some of the ways in which we can help you turn your concept into reality.

Press & Awards

RISE Design Studio has won and been shortlisted for several prestigious architecture prizes, including the 2018 RIBA London Awards. Our projects have featured in Channel 4, Living Etc, Elle Decoration, the Financial Times, Grand Designs and The Guardian.

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

We Would Love To Hear More About Your Project Brief.
Request a Consultation Today — Let’s Bring Your Ideas to Life.

At RISE, we believe architecture is more than just buildings — it’s about people, places, and purpose. Whether you're looking to transform a home, create a space that supports wellbeing, or build something completely new, every design journey with us begins with listening.

Your consultation is a chance to tell us what matters to you — your lifestyle, your aspirations, your values — so we can translate them into thoughtful, sustainable architecture.

Our experienced team works across homes, cultural spaces, commercial projects and retrofit transformations. We specialise in low-energy design, natural materials and innovative 3D technology to help you see and feel your space before it's built.

This form is your first step. Once submitted, we’ll review your brief and be in touch to arrange a no-obligation call where we’ll share our initial thoughts, discuss next steps, and answer any questions you may have.

We can’t wait to hear more.

Fill In Your Details Here

Journal

London Homes Are Overheating — But We Can Design Our Way Out of It
Architect Sean Hill of RISE Design Studio speaks to BBC London about tackling overheating in London homes using passive cooling, digital modelling, and sustainable design solutions.

London Homes Are Overheating — But We Can Design Our Way Out of It

Aug 16, 2025 12 min read
Backland Development - Turning Hidden Plots into Purposeful Places
A modern brick backland development designed by RISE Design Studio in London, featuring sustainable design, generous glazing, and landscaped gardens, showcasing how hidden plots can be transformed into high-quality homes that blend with their surroundings.

Backland Development - Turning Hidden Plots into Purposeful Places

Aug 10, 2025 4 min read
Start with Strategy: Why Feasibility is the Smart First Step
Front cover of RISE Design Studio’s Stage 2 Feasibility Report, featuring a minimalist gold design with the studio’s logo and key early-stage planning and sustainability considerations.

Start with Strategy: Why Feasibility is the Smart First Step

Aug 9, 2025 4 min read
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