London, UK
Conservation architect
at AOC
AOC is hiring a conservation architect to join its team in London.
AOC radically reimagines historic buildings for new cultural and public uses.
The role
We are looking for an accredited conservation architect with a range of experience creatively transforming listed buildings to become part of the design team in our Hackney studio. You will be the day-to-day project lead, taking responsibility for the role and communicating effectively with your team members, consultants and client team. You will be passionate about resolving technical challenges and have significant experience leading project construction. As an active contributor to our collaborative studio, you will be involved in all aspects of the practice, shaping its continued evolution.
The practice
Agents Of Change/AOC are a London-based practice of architects and designers led by Tom Coward, Gill Lambert and Geoff Shearcroft. We create buildings, experiences and places that help people connect. Through our design process we help people imagine and deliver transformational change. Many of our projects invent new types of space that respond to contemporary needs.
We are passionate collaborators, co-creating with clients, users, experts and communities to deliver designs that work as well as they look. Our design approach is rooted in practical research and rigorous in-situ testing and prototypes. This leads to designs that are particular to the forms, materials and myths of their place.
We are experts in the adaptation of buildings of all ages, reimagining uses in historically and politically sensitive sites. Over 20 years practice we have consistently innovated with materials and technologies to construct buildings with ever lower embodied carbon and energy use.
We are currently working on a range of buildings, including the Grade II* listed Paignton Picture House, a Grade II listed oast house, theatre and venue in St Neots, a new home for the Royal Academy of Music and Stonehenge Learning Centre in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Past projects include Somerset House Studios, Tower Bridge, Tower of London and Lloyds’ Register.
Essential skills/knowledge:
- accredited conservation architect (AABC and/or RIBA CA/SCA) with an enthusiasm for creative conservation
- able to work independently and lead a small team with care and intelligence
- being a confident designer with good interpersonal skills
- an excellent understanding of traditional and modern construction methods and detailing
- good organisational skills with great attention to detail
- proven communication skills, able to liaise with client, consultant and contractor teams
- able to lead project and practice related research
to be Mac literate and proficient in Adobe CC and MS Office 365 - efficient in 2D and 3D drafting – Vectorworks desirable
- thorough knowledge of NBS and writing specifications
- excellent written and spoken English language skills
- proven experience working on all RIBA Stages
Benefits
Our benefits package includes:
- flexible working policy with up to two days remote working
- core office hours policy providing flexibility at either end of the day
- annual leave increasing with long service
- profit share bonus payment
- employers pension contribution
- cycle to work scheme
- support for professional studies
- comprehensive continuing professional development programme
- discounted access to museums and archives
- studio trips, events, openings, exhibitions and conferences
AOC are members of the London Practice Forum which cares about London, its people and its built environment. We are an equal opportunities employer and a London Living Wage employer. We actively seek and encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.
How to apply
If you meet the outlined requirements please send a digital copy of your CV via the ‘apply for job’ button below (max 10MB) along with a covering letter outlining how you meet the criteria and why you want to work for AOC. Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK, based in our London office, and be available to start in March 2026.