The practice
Founded in Durham in 1979. Still answering to the same standard.
An award-winning multidisciplinary architectural practice creating places of lasting value. We work UK-wide from our Durham studio, with a presence in London.
How we work
A practice of around 30 people, arranged so that the person who wins the trust is the person who draws the building.
Howarth Litchfield combines architecture, interior design and chartered building surveying. We are appointed by private clients, companies, local authorities, academy trusts, universities, NHS estates teams and contractors, and we are just as comfortable inside a Grade I listed structure as on a design-and-build framework.
Directors lead projects personally from first sketch to practical completion. Our technical teams take pride in detailing and coordination, which is what keeps a project on programme once the drawings leave the studio.
We hold RIBA Chartered Practice status, accredited conservation credentials (SCA, AABC, IHBC) and RICS chartered building surveying expertise, and act as Principal Designer under CDM 2015.
A short history
1979
The practice is founded in Durham
Stephen Howarth and Mike Litchfield establish the practice, with early commissions in the hotel, medical and education sectors.
1989
Technical delivery grows
David Pickersgill joins the practice, later becoming a director in 2003 and leading technical delivery.
1991
Conservation expertise established
Neil Turner joins, becoming a director in 2006 and building the practice's accredited conservation and sustainability expertise.
2003
A multidisciplinary practice
Commercial, residential, industrial and specialist work is added alongside architecture, interiors and building surveying.
2018
Directorship expands
Keith Handy joins as director, broadening the client base across commercial, residential and education work.
Today
Five directors, one studio culture
The practice is led by five directors and a team of around thirty, based in Durham with a presence in London.
Disciplines
Expertise in detail →Directors
The whole team →
Jonathan Yates
Managing Director – Architect
David Pickersgill
Director – Technical
Neil Turner
Director – Architect
Elisa Berry
Director – Architect
Keith Handy
Director – Architect
Awards
Recognition from RIBA, RICS, the Civic Trust and industry bodies for projects across heritage, education, culture and workplace.
2026
Cosin's Almshouses and Pemberton Building
- Winner — RICS UK Heritage Award
Redcar Central Station
- Highly Commended — RICS UK Heritage Award
Sugar Hill Primary School
- Nominated — Constructing Excellence North East, Delivering Value
2024
The Fire Station (MACQ)
- Winner — RIBA North East Regional Award
2023
The Fire Station (MACQ)
- Winner — Civic Trust Awards, National & International
Neville Hall
- Shortlisted — AJ Retrofit, Listed Building (£5 million and over)
2022
The Fire Station (MACQ)
- Winner — North East Culture Award, Best Museum or Cultural Venue
- Winner — Insider North East Property, Public-Private Collaboration
- Winner — Schüco Excellence Cultural Building Award
- Winner — National Structural Steel Design Award
Neville Hall
- Highly Commended — Civic Trust AABC Conservation Award
- Winner — RICS UK Refurbishment / Revitalisation Award
- Shortlisted — RICS UK Community Benefit and Heritage Project Awards
2021
Neville Hall
- Winner — Lord Mayor's Design Awards, Conservation Award
- Shortlisted — RTPI North East Awards for Planning Excellence
2019
The Boiler House
- Winner — Lord Mayor's Design Awards, Conservation Award
2018
The Boiler House
- Winner — RICS UK Building Conservation Award
Armstrong Building
- Highly Commended — RICS UK Building Conservation Award
- Shortlisted — RICS UK Design through Innovation Award
Cleveland College of Art & Design
- Shortlisted — RICS UK Community Benefit, Design through Innovation and Regeneration Awards
Orchard House Veterinary Practice
- Shortlisted — RICS UK Community Benefit Award
Sheraton Park
- Shortlisted — RICS UK Commercial Award
- Shortlisted — RICS UK Regeneration Award
The Glades
- Shortlisted — RICS UK Design through Innovation Award
2017
Acklam Hall
- Shortlisted — RICS UK Tourism & Leisure Award
Cundall Office Fit-Out
- Shortlisted — RICS UK Commercial Award
- Shortlisted — RICS UK Design through Innovation Award
2015
Treetops
- Winner — Daily Telegraph / Home Building & Renovating Awards, Best Conversion
- Regional Finalist — Civic Trust Awards
2014
Treetops
- Winner — RIBA North East Small Project Award
- Winner — Excellent Consultant Award, Newcastle University Estate Support Service