About

James Boon Architects is an exciting new architects practice experienced in conservation, adaption and extensions to listed and historic buildings, as well as new buildings in historic settings, for private residential and heritage sector clients. In a short space of time we have established a variety of clients from private individuals, through specialist developers to a number of charitable trusts. 

James Boon Architects were recently awarded a RIBA East Midlands Award 2019 for Stackyard, Director James’ own house. Stackyard has also been added to the longlist for the RIBA House of the Year and it is due to appear on Channel 4’s Grand Designs House of the Year in November. 

James Boon Architects are a RIBA Chartered Practice. 

James Boon RIBA

Director James is a hands on architect providing a personal service, who has experience of conservation but is able to design buildings which meet today’s needs.

James has almost 20 years experience working within architectural practices and has developed a wide range of skills and experience. From initial client briefing and feasibility studies, through concept design and planning applications, to detailed design and delivery on site, for a variety of different clients. Between 2012 and 2018 James was an Associate at Lathams in Derby where he worked predominantly on heritage and conservation projects but also included experience as varied as small luxury housing developments, specialist care homes, veterinary surgeries, and visitors centres. Some examples of his work at Lathams included:

HLF funded repair and extension to a grade II listed Victorian gasworks to become a community centre.

A HLF Resilient Heritage supported Feasibility Study and Option Appraisal for an archive and visitors centre for the World’s oldest factory still operating in its original location, located within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

Conversion of a grade II* listed mill into offices and artist studio including the conversion of grade II listed warehouse into wedding venue, and planning for 30 new build residential units in the grounds of and the setting of the grade II* listed mill.

HLF funded conversion and extension of a grade II listed town centre building into a heritage centre.

Design of new Visitors Reception Building, followed by masterplan for development of the one of the National Trust’s most important sites which included the refurbishment of historic buildings not on the original visitors experience, with new visitors orientation spaces, café and shop.

Feasibility study for reordering a grade I listed school building to accommodate the existing primary school as well as a heritage centre and office lets.

James has used and continues to use his experience to help others, which includes being Technical Advisor to the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust, sitting on a Local Planning Authority Conservation Advisory Forum and he has in the past been a RIBA Regional Awards Judge and the Burton on Trent Civic Society Design Awards Judge

Of particular interest to James is how the history and context of the site can influence and guide the outcome of the architecture, whether its new build or work on an existing building. This has lead to him recently designing and building his own home in a conservation area, which gives him a great insight into that of any future private residential clients!

James’ personal Twitter account is @derbyarchitect.