Studio

People who use and engage with buildings come first in design; we help them to smile

LA architects is a specialist Sports and Leisure architectural practice. Employing a flexible and dynamic approach to the design of new, and refurbishment of existing, buildings we provide humane, lively and highly successful buildings that add value to the communities they serve.

Overseeing large public contracts and small individual projects alike to provide long term, sustainable solutions that enhance the public realm. We believe Architecture is more than the look of the building, each project is designed to best serve the users of the facility, and it is they who are our real clients.

More about our ethos ⟶
LA Team v3

Our People and Services

Quality is never an accident, it's always the result of intelligent effort

For 25 years we have been designing and creating buildings and facilities that inspire excellence in sport, or simply joy in people.

The reason for this is simple ... we enjoy what we do and we do it well.

Our practice is still managed and run by the two Founding Directors, Mike and Elizabeth, one of which will always be working with you.

Our Associates, Project Architects, and Architects are allocated specifically to your Project. 

Our team can provide Architectural Design, Interior Design, Master planning, Leisure Consultancy, Filtration Engineering, Accessibility Design and Assessment.

Senior Staff

Awards

Architecture is not wallpaper to be applied. It is to be lived in and experienced through every sense of the human being.

LA is a specialist sports and leisure architectural practice.

For 25 years we have been designing and creating buildings and facilities that inspire excellence in sport, or simply joy in people.

The reason for this is simple ... we enjoy what we do and we do it well.

“We’re delighted that Glass Mill has triumphed at this year's Planning Awards. This is actually the fifth Lewisham Council project that has received a Planning Award in recent years, and just goes to demonstrate how much innovative, high-quality development is taking place across the borough.”
Cllr Allan Smith - Deputy Mayor of Lewisham and Cabinet Member for Regeneration
“It has been a pleasure working with you and I have also enjoyed the breath of fresh air which your innovative ideas have brought to the design of Guildford Spectrum.”
Leslie Fairclough- Leisure and Amenities Officer, Guildford Borough Council
“LA architects have demonstrated their ability to lead on design and quality as well as co-ordinating the project team itself and I fear that without their involvement we may not have achieved the quality building that we now have.”
Mike Clarke - Executive Director, Derwentside District Council   (View project)
“LA architects were responsible for the design and construction of the Pavarotti Music Centre in Mostar, Bosnia Hercegovina working under extremely difficult conditions, in a bombed out town with much of its infrastructure lying in ruins together with its buildings. The result was a building which London would be proud to have. How they did it to such quality and in time still amazes me. Much of it had to do with a mix of professionalism with empathy and commitment to the project and its vision.”
David Wilson - Founding Director, WARCHILD   (View project)
“LA architects performed design services for this project demonstrating a wealth of experience with strengths in consultation and in particular accessibility. LA were keen to listen and investigate stakeholder requirements and strived to achieve quality in all aspects of the building design. The Council and the users of Glass Mill Leisure Centre are hugely satisfied with the building that is operating above expectation. This is testament to LA architects work and commitment to the project.”
Matthew Eady - Head of Estates Management, LB of Lewisham   (View project)
“Effectively by combining their flair and vision for project winning concepts, with their dedication to understanding client requirements and providing detailed designs to suit, means that LA architects always deliver and have a very strong reputation in the leisure sector that they truly deserve. In short they are an invaluable member of our supply chain.”
Jeremy Lightfoot - Managing Director, Parkwood Consultancy Services   (View project)
“Mike and his team have an uncanny sense for sharing the vision we were seeking to achieve, really listened effectively, brought forward creative design ideas for our consideration, and did it all in a timely manner. We have been impressed with their willingness to share and contribute ideas, the depth of industry experience which when combined with their skilled, helpful and friendly approach at all levels makes for an exceptionally strong and rewarding working relationship.”
Byran Atkinson - Corporate Lead Culture and Leisure   (View project)

Haven Point

South Shields
  • Special Mention Architizer 2016
  • RIBA North East Awards 2015 – Project of the Year
  • RIBA North East Awards 2015 - Architect of the Year
  • RICS Awards 2015 – Highly Commended Award in Tourism & Leisure

Glass Mill Leisure Centre

Lewisham

The Mayor of London, London Planning Awards 2013/2014 – Best Build Project Community Scale Scheme

5 Pancras Square

Kings Cross
  • Inaugural Construction Industry Council Inclusive Environment Award 2016
  • RIBA London Regional Award 2015
  • RIBA London Sustainability Award 2015
  • BREEAM Awards 2013 winner
  • Construction News Awards 2015 - Sustainable Project of the Year
  • Building Awards 2015 - Sustainability Project of the Year Winner
  • LABC Building Excellence Awards 2015 - Best Inclusive Building, London region
  • Guardian Sustainable Business Awards 2015 - Impact Award
  • Built Environment RICS Awards 2015 - Commercial Category Winner
  • New London Awards 2015 – Commended in Public Buildings Category
  • British Construction Industry Awards 2015 - The Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award
  • British Construction Industry Awards 2015 - Health & Safety Award
  • British Construction Industry Awards 2015 - Major Building Project of the Year (over £50m) Highly Commended
  • SPACES (formerly SCALA) Awards 2015 - Highly Commended for the Civic Building of the Year

The spa at Beckenham

Beckenham
  • Best New Public Building - London Borough of Bromley Best of Bromley Award Scheme 2000

Hengrove Park

Bristol
  • RICS South West Award 2013 - Community Benefit winner
  • Galvanizers Association Galvanizing Award 2013 - Sustainability winner
  • CIBSE Awards 2013 - New Build Project of the Year shortlist

The Capitol Theatre

Horsham
  • RIBA Downland Prize 2006 - Best Public Building winner
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Haven Point
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Glass Mill Leisure Centre
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5 Pancras Square
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The spa at Beckenham
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Hengrove Park
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The Capitol Theatre