Welcome to Spence & Dower

If the architectural press is full of the clamour of competing and ‘self-conscious innovation’ – we are not there. All design is by its nature exploratory and must search for a balance between enabling a building to work and ordering its form to please. Our aim is that good quality design should shine through the patient satisfaction of this balance and give delight to owners, other users and those who pass by. All our projects relate to the specific sites and environments to which they belong.

As Chartered Architects and Historic Building Consultants our interests are broad ranging but we consider ourselves specialists in a full range of historic building work, contemporary design, particularly within sensitive locations, masterplanning and community based building projects.

Find out more about our architectural services

I joined the practice in the 1980’s. It was known then as a practice of integrity and professionalism, creating quality designs through friendly personal service. What has changed? Workload is slightly different now, responding over the years to shifting economic conditions, new concerns about climate change and client expectations, but our underlying philosophy about the way we choose to work remains the same.

Tina Gough, Partner