HOME - Prichard Barnes Architects

Cardiff Architects

Tŷ Calon Lân Primary Care Health Centre, Mountain Ash

Ebony House, St. Nicholas, Cardiff - Model

Tŷ Calon Lân Primary Care Health Centre, Mountain Ash Window Detail

Primary Care Health Centre, Llanbradach, Wales - CGI3

Headquarters for TVR, Ebbw Vale, Wales - Cladding

Our Clients and Work

As architects based in Cardiff, we always put our clients first. We have a friendly approach; knowing that only you understand what you need. We like to come to every project with few preconceptions. We'll use our skills to help you fully realise your project on time.

You will see from our portfolio that we've supported a wide range of clients. From inception, through gaining Planning Permission, to project completion, we have a breadth and depth of experience in all building sectors, from large-scale public sector and commercial to house extensions.

Company Ethos

Sustainable Architecture:

As humans, we need shelter to keep warm, dry and safe. This requires use of the earth's resources. We are Cardiff architects with a love for and appreciation of our environment. Our intention is to reduce or reuse the materials in our designs as far as possible to gain planning permission and beyond. We include materials with a low carbon footprint. We address each project with a fabric first mentality to reduce energy-in-use demand.

Flexible Design Approach:

As qualified architects based in Cardiff we have many tools at our disposal. We are happy to use whichever are most appropriate to help tease out solutions for each project. This may be a simple pencil and paper sketch or a three-dimensional physical or virtual model. This will help you understand the overall design and assist in gaining planning permission.

Our passion is to meet your needs and then convey our vision to you, which will be unique to every project. We are always trying to learn more about how best to provide you with suitable solutions. These will meet your aspirations and today’s ever-changing building regulations.

Our promise to you and all our clients is that we will remain friendly. We will also provide maximum effort to your project, with competence and humility.

‘Friendly and Talented’ - (by James)

Shaun has had an intriguing journey. Early in his career he studied and worked in Australia, alongside the best. He was at the coal-face with large, award-winning Cardiff architects, as director of their design teams.

Shaun owned an architectural practice based in Cardiff and Bristol for ten years. He then co-founded Prichard Barnes Architects with me in 2021. We did this to ensure that we could provide a friendly, efficient and competent service to our clients. So far all of whom, where new opportunities exist, have agreed to continue with us in our venture.

Shaun demonstrates great enthusiasm for his subject matter. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the design of each project. He has gained planning permission for and produced a wide range of successful, sustainable buildings that cross all sectors, from large scale commercial and public sector projects to house extensions.

What he would be too humble to tell you, is that he has won many awards. He won the prestigious Eisteddfod Gold Medal for his work on the Brewery Quarter in Cardiff.

‘Persistent and Curious’ - (by Shaun)

James believed that architectural education in the UK does not provide an architect with enough practical knowledge. Especially when discussing schemes with authority on site. So James decided to work for a timber-frame building company for two years and gain extra practical experience. This involved designing the projects, gaining planning permission and building them on site.

James moved to Wales in 2003 where he has worked for two large, renowned Cardiff architects practices on a range of medium to large-scale projects. He also worked for Hatcher Prichard Architects, before founding Prichard Barnes Architects with me.

He understands that trust and respect between the client, architect and contractor are key to a successful project. This is epitomised at the primary care health centre in Mountain Ash, where he gained planning permission and oversaw its construction. I am proud of the positive reaction he has helped to generate from the client and staff.

James is great to work with and brings a clear, friendly and insightful approach to each project. He is always eager to learn more. He likes challenges. He has the strength to admit when he is uncertain. So he always finds out the correct information before dispensing any advice. In other words, you can trust him.

Shaun Prichard BA(Hons) Dip(Arch) PGDPP ARB RIBA
Director/Architect

tel:07920 057880

ARB Registration Number: 066518E

RIBA Registration Number: 7740697

James Barnes BSc(Hons) Dip(Arch) ADPPA ARB RIBA
Director/Architect

tel:07495 878410

ARB Registration Number: 073535C

RIBA Registration Number: 10835967

“I thoroughly enjoyed working with Shaun Prichard over a period of about 4 years. We were granted target capital formula which was used to rebuild and refurbish parts of our 50 year old school, an investment of about £8M.

Architecturally we were impressed at the time with the designs and subsequently we have loved working in the environments he designed. The finished site comprises buildings from the 1960s to the present day with four phases in between. The final design ties these together and makes sense of what was previously a random collection of unrelated blocks.

As end users we were fully involved in all parts of the process from design to commissioning and our views were always heard and acted upon – even when it involved a rethink. Shaun’s interpersonal skills enabled him to work effectively with students, staff and governors alike; from my own perspective I felt that I was in genuine partnership with Shaun.

I commend Shaun and his work to you and would be happy to be contacted for further information or to show you around our wonderful buildings.”

Colin Belford

Headteacher for Archway School

“We began working with James on Adamsdown School for our client Cardiff City Council and found him to be both highly professional and personable. He had a great willingness to go into detail and ensure all elements of the design and regulatory challenges were thoroughly examined and fully resolved. We then started to work with Shaun on new-build housing in Llanbradach for United Welsh Housing and were extremely happy with his friendly, can-do attitude and excellent design skills.

I would say that we would be more than happy to work with James and Shaun in the future; but we already will be – on 14 new-build industrial units in Pant Industrial Estate and we look forward to working with them on future opportunities.”

Richard Miles

Construction Director – EnCon Construction