About

A London based architecture and urbanism design practice with a mission to create better places for people to inhabit that are inclusive, engaging and meaningful.

Established by Richard Brown as a research platform back in 2012 whilst living, working and studying in Hackney Wick & Fish Island, East London.

In East London, Richard found inspiration in the intimate semi public spaces of the factory complexes where communities thrived in creating new vibrant neighbourhoods from the inside out.  Richard is fascinated with the way in which places are made, and how change is affected by accessibility, local identity and heritage.

The formation of mixed use neighbourhoods and semi public space has been the constant  subject of Richard’s research and has informed the direction and approach of his practice.

Richards services include architectural design, quantitative and anecdotal urban research, community engagement and project management.

Richard is a RIBA Chartered Architect, having studied Architecture at the Royal College of Art , London Metropolitan University and the University for the Creative Arts Canterbury.

He has been a visiting lecturer at the Cass school of Architecture, and previously visiting critic at the Royal College of Art and UCA Canterbury. In 2014 Richard worked with the LLDC to create the publication, Creative Factories – Hackney Wick and Fish Island, as a guide to design of private and public realm for developers in mixed use development.

Richard has since worked on a number of economic and spatial surveys for local authorities such as the LLDC and Westminster City Council, as well a number of commercial and private residential projects for creative businesses, and private individuals. 

As part of the ongoing urban research practice, Richard has continued to map and represent the local community in hackney Wick and Fish Island and Waltham Forest – helping residents and tenants negotiate with other stakeholder and to form strong local networks.

Previous to establishing BrownUrbanism, Richard worked as an architectural designer with Ash Sakula Architects and Solid space Developments on range of public and private projects.