Jim Richards is a Director of Nissen Richards Studio and runs the practice on a day-to-day basis, alongside Pippa Nissen. Jim studied architecture at Leicester Polytechnic and De Montfort University, graduating in 1994 with distinction. In 2020, he added RIBA Conservation Architect to his professional accreditations, thanks to his experience with and sensitive handling of historic building material.

Jim has an extensive track record in the design and delivery of a wide range of projects. He takes a particular interest in the relationship between design and technical output, and in the coordination and quality of construction detailing and its execution on site. Jim’s experience includes a variety of construction and procurement methodologies. He is well versed in a variety of roles: administrator, manager, designer, coordinator and facilitator.

Since the formation of Nissen Richards Studio in 2010, Jim has provided a design, management and administrative role on numerous high-profile art-based projects, including Listed Buildings or heritage assets, for the British Museum, Manchester Museum, National Waterways Museum, National Trust, Wallace Collection and Clwb Ifor Bach. In 2020, he worked with Pippa Nissen on the redesign of the visitor experience at Anglo Saxon burial site Sutton Hoo, including a new-build viewing tower. The project went on to win both RIBA Regional and National Awards.

Jim also has extensive experience in the design and delivery of commercial offices and industrial facilities. Many of these projects have acted as catalysts for the redevelopment of brownfield sites and provision of much needed local employment, and these skills have been transferred in recent years to the design and delivery of numerous small and larger-scale residential and mixed-use developments, including the 167-apartment Sterling Gardens scheme in Newbury.

Jim has also been involved in numerous low energy and sustainability projects, and was a licensed assessor under the former Code for Sustainable Homes environmental assessment scheme. He is currently lead architect on the eco-luxe Hartdene Barns development, built to RIBA Climate Challenge standards within an AONB and set to be one of the most environmentally-friendly housing developments in the UK.