Practice

Verna Architects is an RIBA Chartered Practice which specialises in the design of new build homes and the extension and refurbishment of existing houses. We are based in Godalming, Surrey and work in the surrounding local surrey hills area and the wider home counties.

We have a particular interest in producing buildings that are a true synthesis of form, function, and materiality, while at the same time being environmentally sustainable and responding sensitively to the immediate context and wider landscape setting.

The practice has expertise in gaining planning consents in challenging circumstances such as within Green Belt and AONB designated land, and for works to period Listed Buildings. We have significant knowledge and experience in conservation building practices, working with and modernising period structures using traditional materials and working methods. We actively encourage the adoption of sustainable building methods in our projects with a holistic design approach which utilises orientation and inherent site features, together with a fabric first approach which incorporates low embodied carbon materials and high levels of insulation.

We believe that the best architecture comes from a truly collaborative approach with our clients, consultants and contractor teams.

Process

Verna Architects works to the industry recognised RIBA Plan of Work.

We utilise market leading 3d BIM modelling software as standard on all projects, enabling proposals to be developed and assessed quickly and intuitively.

People

Richard Cheesman  Bsc(hons) Dip Arch ARB RIBA

Founder / Director 

Born in Surrey, Richard studied architecture at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, qualifying in 2004.

Initially working in London, Richard gained broad experience working at Wilkinson Eyre Architects on larger scale cultural and education projects, and on small scale bridges and museum fit-outs. Richard left to work with an ex colleague in 2003 to help establish an award winning practice where he was responsible for a number of successful small commercial and private high end residential projects.

Moving back to Godalming Surrey in 2016, Richard spent a period working at local practice Lees Munday Architects where he was responsible for a series of the practices’ recent private residential projects. Richard founded Verna Architects following the retirement of the practice directors, taking with him live projects and significant experience and contacts gained in the local private residential sector.

Richard is an ARB registered Architect and a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects.