top of page
Who we are
Stanley Architects Ltd is an award winning, modern, RIBA chartered, architectural practice specialising in creating beautiful bespoke homes. We are based in Berkhamsted and Radlett, Hertfordshire.
We have the skills and experience to navigate the complexities of the planning system particularly in rural and Green Belt locations as well as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
We love working with heritage buildings and we are well connected with crafts people and great contractors that also have a passion for what they do.
We have a network of other specialist consultants we can engage with to ensure your dreams are achievable from day one of the design journey.
Our values
We listen and work collaboratively
We consider context, landscape and ecology
We are innovative and open minded
We have a passion for heritage
We celebrate the building materials
We love working with skilled crafts people
We keep up to date with modern technologies
We co-ordinate the construction details carefully
Above all we look after our clients from beginning to end
The Practice
The Senior Architect, Sean Stanley, qualified as an RIBA Chartered Architect in 1994. He has worked for some of the industry’s high-profile practices in the UK including BDP, Terry Farrell & Partners, and SOM.
In 2006 Sean founded Stanley Architects Ltd and in 2015 Hannah joined the practice as a senior architectural designer. Together they have worked with many homeowners and private developers in The Home Counties and South of England, creating unique and award-winning living environments.
The Practice enjoys supporting local University and A-level students with work experience and engaging with community groups and charities.
We are a friendly, straight-talking and approachable practice and we pride ourselves on the innovative solutions we create that are only possible by working collaboratively with our clients, consultants, suppliers and building contractors.
Our Approach
Stanley Architects design simple, elegant buildings and alterations with internal layouts driven by the functional relationships between their uses, whilst celebrating craftsmanship.
Every design is unique because we respond to the surrounding context and the site’s topography that in turn affect the form and massing of the project. Our client’s requirements inform the flow and layout of the spaces and we develop a concept diagram for the scheme early in the design process.
We are not a planning and drafting service, instead we provide a unified design solution and detailed technical drawings so that the project is well co-ordinated. A dialogue or balance between the "Idea" and the pragmatics of "Building" are constantly being thought about as we progress a design. Our skills and experience then ensure the construction process is managed professionally and diligently.
We are open-minded, lateral thinkers: thriving upon new challenges; seeking innovative solutions to problems; always striving to provide contemporary designs that are both simple and elegant.
We have earned an excellent reputation for the quality of our service and many of our projects have received commendations and awards for ingenuity and design.
A home for LIVING
We understand that our projects will be experienced by people of all ages in a variety of circumstances. The places that we live in are important to us: they are our private spaces where we go after work, where we bring up our families, where we entertain our friends. We have many memories and emotional ties with our homes.
Whether our client wants to completely transform their home or add some additional space that enhances their existing one, we will listen to them and test the Brief, ensuring that the completed project retains a consistent ‘look and feel’ and remains their home.
Our clients are at the centre of everything that we do; above all, our aim is to create homes that they will enjoy living in.
Landscape + Context
Before we begin designing a project we spend time walking around the local area to appreciate the neighbouring properties and surrounding context.
How the building or extension relates to the external landscape is always considered from the beginning to ensure key views are captured and subtle variations in topography are recognised.
To achieve a sense of place and home, we connect the project with the landscape, and the design carefully responds to the neighbouring context.
Greenbelt
We have an excellent success record in securing planning permission for projects in the Green Belt and in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. National planning policy has changed over the recent years, and this can make projects in these locations quite challenging, particularly if you want to maximise your internal floor area.
We are very experienced in these areas and sometimes we will require the appointment of a Planning Consultant who specialise in complex planning issues and are conversant in local and national planning policy and case law.
Heritage
We have a lot of experience working on Grade I and II listed buildings and other heritage projects. These often involve a lot more time due to the extra permissions needed and the level of detailing required.
Sometimes we work with a Heritage consultant during the planning stage, and then later during construction specialist contractors may be needed, such as for timber restoration work to an historic barn.
Environment
Our approach always considers the long-term impact of the project on the environment and we have the design and technical skills to orientate the building and rooms to benefit from the movement of the sun and time of day.
The form and construction detailing of the property are developed to reduce overheating in the summer and heat losses in the winter.
In conjunction with the above we work with specialist energy and building services consultants who can design the renewable services such as the air-source heat pump and hot water storage; photovoltaic solar panels and battery storage; underfloor heating; mechanical and ventilation heat recovery for fresh air; low energy lighting; and air-conditioning amongst other things.
Materials
We take time carefully selecting the materials used to construct your project because when you touch your building you connect with it and the texture, warmth and colour of the surfaces can bring joy to your experience if thoughtfully chosen.
We know how to ensure the right materials are specified for the right conditions. We check that the products have been independently tested and have suitable life expectancies requiring limited to no maintenance.
Bespoke Staircases
We often design bespoke staircases and work in collaboration with specialist staircase suppliers to achieve these unique hand-crafted designs.
Hand drawn sketches begin the process, then we develop a 3D computer model. This design information is then shared with the specialist to obtain a quotation and review the finer details. We will agree the materials and finishes and often visit their factory to review the manufacturing process.
During construction we agree the programme with the main contractor and we meet with the staircase team to agree any installation requirements.
Community
We like where we live and work, and we are closely involved in local community issues.
Our clients include Parish Councils, local charities and other public bodies. We are involved with public building design and are passionate about how these contribute to the wider community.
We also sit on committees for civic societies from time to time, and assist local residents when necessary with local planning related matters.
Legacy
Awards
2025 20 Goodyers Avenue, Radlett
Best New Home award, Hertfordshire Building Control
2025 Birchwood, Berkhamsted
Best New Home award, Schuco Awards
2023 Old Cottage, Berkhamsted
Environmental Award, Berkhamsted Citizens Association
2014 Tower House, Walkern
Commendation - Domestic category, Hertfordshire Association of Architects.
2010 Pool House, Radlett
Commendation - Small Works category, Hertfordshire Association of Architects.
2009 Ashridge Loft, Radlett
Commendation - Spirit of Ingenuity Home category, RIBA East of England.
bottom of page