About Saunders Boston Architects

Saunders Boston Architects design and deliver inspirational buildings and environments that enhance the experience of all that come into contact with them. Our architectural and interior design teams produce interesting, stimulating and well-functioning buildings that are often highly serviced, complex and challenging projects serving multiple stakeholders.

Key sectors include Education, Higher Education & Science, Residential, Retirement Living & Care and Sport & Leisure.

We work collaboratively with clients to thoroughly understand their needs, business objectives, and personal aspirations in order to fully utilise our design flair and project management skills to enhance their operation.

Our privately and publicly funded projects range from under £100k to over £40m, but all receive the same level of dedication and attention to detail. Each project is managed from inception to completion by a Director, with a second Director regularly briefed to achieve an assured overlap. Each Director is supported by an Associate Director and/or an experienced Senior Project Architect. Technical team members and Interior Designers are brought into the project at appropriate stages to ensure that all projects are appropriately resourced at all times.

Featured Projects

We use our knowledge and experience to investigate, analyse, suggest, guide, provide options, solve problems and anticipate changing circumstances. We aim to provide bespoke solutions that are site and client specific, with creative and elegant designs that emerge from a pragmatic and team approach.

Saunders Boston Architects help clients to grow their businesses or organisations, increase efficiencies in their operations, develop their capabilities and future-proof their facilities in positive, safe and pleasing environments.

The practice was formed in London after the First World War by three architects trained in the garden city movement of the early 20th century whilst working in the offices of Unwin & Parker and Edwin Lutyens. The three formed the practice to undertake the design of Swanpool Garden Suburb in Lincoln. Social housing is a recurring theme in the history of the practice with many examples in the aftermath of both world wars and it is still a significant   part of the business today.

The dominant figure of the practice in the first half-century was C. H. James RA FRIBA under whose leadership the firm of James and Bywaters became a leading non-modernist practice of the 1930s and 1940s when major competition successes saw it build Norwich City Hall, Hertford Town Hall and Slough Town Hall.

Although working on projects all over the south and east of England the practice was always based in London until the untimely death of Charles James in 1953, whilst he was President Elect of the RIBA. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s the practice underwent several significant changes as it developed of a body of notable projects in Cambridge, where Peter Boston had studied at King’s College, culminating in the name change to ‘Saunders Boston’ in 1963 and the opening of a Cambridge office in 1968.

  • Bridge St Cambridge 1970s
  • Bridge St Cambridge 1970s
  • Gilmerton Court 1950s
  • Hartford County Hall 1939
  • Mong Building Siney Sussex 1990s
  • Norwich City Hall 1939
  • Norwich City Hall 1939
  • Swanpool Garden Suburb 1919
  • Wells House 1950s
  • Wells House 1950s
  • Ethos
  • Ethos
  • Ethos
  • Ethos

Saunders Boston Architects (SBA) is a thriving practice that currently employs 60+ professional staff across its two offices in Cambridge and Exeter. Based in open-plan design studios the atmosphere is both professional and friendly.

Our team of Architects, Architectural Technologists and Interior Designers are delivering award-winning exciting innovative projects from concept stages through detailed delivery on site to client handover.

SBA develops all projects, across a number of diverse sectors, in REVIT / BIM, embracing the latest hardware and software including virtual reality.

The practice actively encourages internal Promotion and takes Staff Training very seriously with each member of our team having two Personal Development Reviews each year. As an RIBA Chartered Practice, SBA runs a full programme of accredited Continuing Practice Development (CPD) seminars.

SBA has a long standing history of employing RIBA Part I and II students and offers a sponsorship programme where appropriate. Each student is assigned an experienced mentor to ensure that right level of experience is gained for their Professional Development Records.

Flexible working hours and remote working are possible at director discretion.

As is required by law SBA contributes to employee pensions and other benefits are also available.

 

  • "Having joined Saunders Boston from a small practice I was a little apprehensive about working for such a large established firm but everyone from the Directors down was very welcoming and helpful whilst I found my feet. Since then I have been encouraged and supported to develop my professional skills at every opportunity both within SBA and also local professional networks."

    Team member

  • One of the great things about working at SBA is the strong sense of collaboration and teamwork within the company - all the staff are very supportive of each other which positively impacts the quality of our work and ultimately benefits our clients.

    Team member

  • "As an RIBA Part I student, I would definitely encourage anyone to join this team as the practice thrives on a warm and relaxed internal atmosphere, good communication and plenty of support for the start of one’s professional journey. My skills have grown expediently since I started working here, being able to progress professionally in my role. When it comes to the staff, everybody made me feel part of a big team".

    Team member

    • ‘I was looking for a practice that would let me develop in the direction that I wanted. At every level Saunders Boston have given me the opportunity, the support and the encouragement to push myself and realise my goals.’

    Team member