About Us
Engineering Architecture Ltd. is a practice of Architects and Structural Engineers based on the borders of Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey. Our work area covers the South Downs National Park and the towns and villages that surround the park too
The practice was founded by Richard Thomas, a Chartered Structural Engineer and Martin Pearce, a Chartered Architect after their successful collaboration on a number of local projects. Working together on all aspects of the design produced results that exceeded client expectations and proved to be an enjoyable way of working. David Brightwell joined the following year, 2008, and the practice has flourished ever since. Martin passed away suddenly in 2019 and is sadly missed, however his enthusiasm and sense of fun lives on giving us daily inspiration.
Engineering Architecture offers an advantage over other practices as all of the design is carried out by both Architect and Engineer together. This results in proposals with improved buildability and structural advantages from the offset. This approach also leads to reduced cost and greater time certainty in the early stages of a project. We are able to offer any level of service from a few hours consultancy to a full set of working drawings.
Richard Thomas BEng (Hons) CEng MIStructE
The inspiration for Engineering Architecture came after a period of teaching at the School of Architecture at the University of Portsmouth. Richard had already studied at the university in the early 90’s obtaining a first class honours degree in Civil Engineering.
Structural Engineering is too often bolted onto Architectural schemes that have been resolved, missing opportunities to refine and integrate the structural solutions with the architecture from day one. This often results in a poor overall design and at greater expense!
Richard started the practice in order to integrate Architecture and Structural Engineering design into one. This followed a long period working for a highly regarded London based practice of Structural Engineers where he led a team dealing with all types of building structure. Previous clients included HM Government – Cabinet Office, University of Nottingham, Royal Veterinary College, Rouse Kent – Kings Hill. Some of the many varied projects working for private clients included an underground squash court partly submerged below the water table and a 15,000 sq. ft. mansion house built on anti-vibration rubber pads to isolate it from the Northern Line Underground trains.
David Brightwell BSc (Hons) MArch RIBA
David joined the practice having worked for 4 years with another local company, in 2008. He has a strong working knowledge of the planning system and the various requirements of current legislation & Regulations such as the Building Regulations, the Party Wall Act and the Construction Design Management Regulations.
David Studied at the University of Bath where he completed both his Degree and Masters, graduating with 1st class honours and receiving an award for the integration of construction technology for his thesis project studying the suburban housing typology.
David has a keen interest in the design of housing and improvements to residential properties.