Feilden+Mawson is an established architectural practice specialising in the conservation, restoration and sensitive adaptation of historic buildings alongside contemporary architecture, sustainable retrofit and regeneration. Founded in 1956 by Sir Bernard Feilden and David Mawson, the practice operates from London, Norwich, Cambridge and Prague. Its work encompasses nationally significant heritage sites, listed buildings, museums, public and civic institutions, educational buildings, workplaces and residential developments.
Conservation is a central part of Feilden+Mawson's architectural work. The practice has extensive experience of complex listed buildings, heritage sites and historic structures where alterations demand sensitivity to accumulated fabric, archaeological interest, character and significance.
Its architectural conservation services include the appraisal and adaptation of historic buildings, conservation-led design, sensitive repair and restoration, the introduction of new facilities into existing structures, and the coordination of specialist consultants and conservation authorities. Projects may involve both the preservation of significant architectural features and the careful integration of new work.
Principal areas of conservation expertise: Listed Building Conservation, Historic Building Restoration, Conservation Architecture, Historic Fabric Appraisal, Heritage-Sensitive Adaptation, Traditional Building Refurbishment, Architectural Restoration, Conservation-Led Regeneration, Repair and Reuse of Existing Buildings, Historic Interiors, Cultural Heritage Buildings, Heritage Visitor Facilities.
Alterations to listed and historic buildings require a clear appreciation of heritage significance, planning requirements, appropriate design interventions and the effects of proposed works on surviving fabric. Feilden+Mawson's work includes designing for sensitive sites, developing proposals in consultation with stakeholders and statutory bodies, and coordinating the architectural information needed to support planning and listed building consent processes.
For projects involving major historic assets, the practice works with specialist consultants, engineers, archaeologists, historians and public bodies to develop appropriate, evidence-informed solutions. Such collaboration helps reconcile conservation priorities with accessibility, operational needs, safety and long-term use.
Feilden+Mawson has particular expertise in finding productive new uses for existing buildings. Rather than treating historic structures solely as objects to be preserved, its work considers how they can remain relevant and useful through carefully judged refurbishment, extension, reconfiguration and adaptation.
Adaptive reuse can involve transforming redundant premises, improving visitor facilities, creating contemporary working environments and bringing heritage buildings into sustainable long-term occupation. Successful interventions depend on design quality, an understanding of building condition, respect for architectural character and the efficient use of resources.
Environmental responsibility is integral to Feilden+Mawson's design approach. The practice advocates the reuse and adaptation of existing buildings, improved operational energy performance, reduced environmental impact and design decisions that consider the life cycle of buildings.
Its teams include architects with Passivhaus and BREEAM expertise, while the practice reports ISO 14001:2015 environmental management certification and involvement with professional organisations supporting environmentally conscious building.
Sustainable design capabilities: Adaptive Reuse, Energy-Efficient Architectural Design, Low-Carbon Refurbishment, Building Retrofit, EnerPHit Retrofit, Passivhaus Design Expertise, BREEAM Design Coordination, Embodied-Carbon Awareness, Material Reuse, Sustainable Construction Strategies, Lifecycle Maintenance Considerations, Environmentally Responsible Building Design.
In heritage contexts, energy improvements must be considered in relation to existing construction, moisture movement, material compatibility, architectural significance and the need to avoid unintended damage to historic fabric. The appropriate retrofit strategy depends upon the characteristics of each building.
Feilden+Mawson served as architects for the Norwich Castle Keep: Royal Palace Reborn project, a major refurbishment of the Grade I listed medieval Keep for Norfolk County Council. The scheme sought to enhance the Castle Museum's visitor experience, improve public access and support the continued use of a building with exceptionally important architectural and archaeological heritage.
The project involved close engagement with heritage authorities and historians, together with architectural interventions addressing access, circulation and interpretation. Proposals included a new bridge connection, improved entrances and visitor facilities, and a lift and viewing platform providing access to the battlements.
Norwich Castle received the Sir Bernard Feilden Award at the Norwich and Norfolk Design and Craftsmanship Awards 2025. It also won the Restoration or Conservation Project of the Year award at the Museums + Heritage Awards 2026 and Project of the Year and Heritage awards at the RICS Eastern Region Awards 2026.
Feilden+Mawson has undertaken more than 90 projects at Hampton Court Palace for Historic Royal Palaces. The practice's conservation-related work has included the re-presentation of the Tudor and Georgian State Apartments, work to the Mantegna Gallery, restoration of the Great Kitchen chimney, the Bookshop Turret and the Tijou Screen, and the creation of the Tiltyard Restaurant.
The practice was also engaged for restoration of the Privy Garden on the south front of Wren's addition to the Palace, recreating its early eighteenth-century layout with associated garden features. This illustrates the breadth of conservation work possible across buildings, interiors, architectural details and historic designed landscapes.
Feilden+Mawson's published portfolio includes work at Somerset House, the Palace of Westminster, the UK Supreme Court, Old Sessions House, Merchant Taylors' Almshouses, the Master's Lodge at Trinity College and Corsham Court. These projects demonstrate experience across historic civic buildings, institutional estates, residential heritage properties and places of cultural significance.
The Entopia Building in Cambridge is a notable example of the practice's approach to adapting an existing structure for a lower-carbon future. Feilden+Mawson was appointed for redesign and detailed construction information for the conversion of a former 1930s telephone exchange into premises for the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
The project combined retention and reuse of existing construction with improved environmental performance and new flexible interior spaces. Its requirements included the EnerPHit retrofit standard, BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Gold, while responding to the building's setting within a conservation area.
The Entopia Building won the overall RIBA East Award and the RIBA East Sustainability Award in 2025, showing how refurbishment and reuse can contribute to high-quality contemporary workplaces and ambitious sustainability objectives.
Alongside conservation, Feilden+Mawson provides architectural design for new buildings, extensions and redevelopment. Its published sectors include residential, education, hospitality and culture, commercial buildings, science and healthcare, public and civic architecture, workplaces and residential care.
Feilden+Mawson's wider work includes masterplanning, regeneration and urban realm design. These services address the relationship between individual buildings, streets, public spaces, community facilities and the wider setting. Within historic environments, the integration of new development demands particular attention to existing urban character, scale, legibility and architectural quality.
The adaptation of historic buildings often requires interior architecture and the careful introduction of modern services and facilities. Feilden+Mawson undertakes projects combining conservation with contemporary interiors, visitor circulation, accessibility, functional improvements and new spaces for learning, work or public enjoyment.
Feilden+Mawson offers architectural services across RIBA Stages 0–7, from strategic definition and briefing through concept, spatial coordination, technical design, construction, handover and use. Its architectural teams include conservation-qualified professionals and designers with expertise in sustainability and specialist building sectors.
The practice identifies its status as a CIAT Chartered Practice and reports ISO 14001:2015 certification. RIBA's Conservation Register separately identifies individual Feilden+Mawson architects at Conservation Registrant, Conservation Architect and Specialist Conservation Architect levels. Clients should confirm the currently applicable professional qualifications and certifications for their particular commission.
Project sectors: Historic Buildings, Listed Buildings, Palaces and Castles, Museums and Galleries, Churches and Cultural Buildings, Civic and Government Buildings, Universities and Schools, Private Houses and Residential Estates, Social Housing, Commercial Premises, Workplaces, Hotels and Hospitality Buildings, Science and Healthcare Facilities, Public Realm and Urban Regeneration.
The practice works with public institutions, heritage organisations, private clients, universities, estate owners, developers and multidisciplinary project teams.
Feilden+Mawson maintains UK offices in London, Norwich and Cambridge, together with a Prague office operating as FAM Architekti. These locations support projects across the United Kingdom and selected international commissions.
London: 21–27 Lamb's Conduit Street, London WC1N 3NL. Telephone: 020 7841 1980. Email: london@feildenandmawson.com.
Norwich: 1 Ferry Road, Norwich NR1 1SU. Telephone: 01603 629 571. Email: norwich@feildenandmawson.com.
Cambridge: 6 Clifton Court, Clifton Road, Cambridge CB1 7BN. Telephone: 01223 350 567. Email: cambridge@feildenandmawson.com.
Prague: FAM Architekti, Přístavní 1079/29, 170 00 Praha 7, Czech Republic. Email: prague@feildenandmawson.com.
Feilden+Mawson brings together a long-established conservation tradition and contemporary architectural expertise. Its experience spans nationally significant historic buildings, careful restoration, technically complex refurbishment, sensitive adaptation, sustainable retrofit and new design. The practice is particularly relevant where an architectural project must reconcile conservation significance, public benefit, technical performance and long-term use.
For enquiries about conservation architecture, listed building projects, sustainable retrofit, regeneration and new-build commissions, visit www.feildenandmawson.com or contact the appropriate regional office.
| Services & Expertise | |
|---|---|
| Principal Areas of Work: | Architectural Conservation, Heritage Architecture, Historic Building Restoration, Listed Building Conservation, Adaptive Reuse, Sustainable Architecture, Architectural Design, Building Refurbishment, Conservation-Led Regeneration, Heritage Retrofit, Residential Architecture, Civic and Public Architecture, Cultural Buildings, Educational Architecture, Masterplanning, Urban Design, Interior Architecture, Commercial Architecture |
| Capabilities and Specialisms: | Conservation Architecture, Historic Building Adaptation, Listed Building Alterations, Heritage-Sensitive Architectural Design, Historic Fabric Conservation, Architectural Restoration, Adaptive Reuse of Existing Buildings, Conservation-Led Regeneration, Sustainable Refurbishment, Low-Carbon Retrofit, Building Reuse, EnerPHit Retrofit Design, Passivhaus Design, BREEAM Design Coordination, Architectural Feasibility Studies, Concept Design, Detailed Architectural Design, Building Surveys and Appraisal, Heritage-Sensitive Extensions, Historic Interiors, Museum and Gallery Design, Visitor Experience Design, Public Realm Design, Architectural Masterplanning, Planning Applications, Listed Building Consent Applications, Technical Design, Construction Documentation, Contract Administration, Project Delivery, RIBA Stages 0–7, Inclusive Access Design, Energy-Efficient Buildings |
| Accreditations, Certifications & Memberships : | Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Conservation Register, RIBA Conservation Architects, RIBA Specialist Conservation Architects, Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) Chartered Practice, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Certification, Passivhaus Accredited Architects, BREEAM Accredited Architects, The Green Register, Association for Environment Conscious Building |
| Accreditation & Membership Details: | Feilden+Mawson employs architects with specialist conservation qualifications recognised by the RIBA Conservation Register, including individuals listed at Conservation Architect and Specialist Conservation Architect levels. The practice identifies itself as a CIAT Chartered Practice and reports ISO 14001:2015 certification, Passivhaus and BREEAM-accredited architectural expertise, membership of the Green Register and membership of the Association for Environment Conscious Building. |
| Geographical Areas Covered: | London, Greater London, Norfolk, Norwich, Cambridgeshire, Cambridge, East Anglia, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, South East England, East of England, United Kingdom, Prague, Czech Republic, International Projects by Arrangement |
| Contact & Online Presence | |
| Email: | london@feildenandmawson.com |
| Business Details & Insurance. | |
| Company Trading Name: | Feilden + Mawson Group Ltd |
| Company Number: | 16482711 |
