Oak-frame architect profile Robert Franklin Architect & Designer

For Robert Franklin the pursuit of excellence in design and craftmanship has resulted in a wide range of design approaches tailored to the client’s tastes and practical needs.

Coldstone Pool 1

Satisfying design depends on sound construction, good planning and visual delight, whether it is for new buildings, the conservation and re-use of old buildings.

Robert Franklin Architecture was established in 1978 and has been kept deliberately small to allow Robert to retain control of all design work. I.T. is now dominant in technical information and drawings, but all design work is by hand to allow the continuous development of details unique to each project.

High-value private houses and gardens in town and country form the majority of projects undertaken by Robert. These “English House” types are the result of long and affectionate study of the best examples from the past, themselves exemplary as ‘sustainable’ buildings, and also from fundamentally rethinking the principles of truly ecological modern design. The use of oak frame in buildings fits perfectly with this philosophy.

The practice has no stylistic preconceptions, believing that providing good planning and craftsmanship in the style appropriate to context and to the client’s tastes, is more important than imposing a single style philosophy. Robert takes pleasure in responding to site and buildings, whether by creative contrast in appropriate places, or careful analysis of context and seamlessly weaving within it. One-off oak framed houses are closely tailored to their occupiers’ lives, and have been deeply appreciated by their owners. The practice has received many design awards and, where absolute privacy has not been paramount, have been given wide and appreciative press coverage.

Experience has proved that fine craftsmanship and competitive bidding are incompatible. The preference is therefore to select contractors and specific craftsmen from those they know are capable of the finest work, and to negotiate. Clients are recommended to engage a good cost consultant to look after their financial interests independently, and a contract manager experienced in high quality work to manage the project on site.

Private clients looking for an oak framed home normally accept that the exercise is one of investment in lifestyle rather than property value, but having said that the practice has been aware of some of their earlier houses changing hands for very much more than would conventionally be the case, given their size and location.

Design and quality pays.

contact information

Robert Franklin Architect & Designer

The Stables studio
Clifton mill
Clifton
Banbury

OX15 0PE

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More information

  • Projects designed by
    Robert Franklin Architect & Designer
  • Member of
  • Awards
    • 2009 - Georgian Group Awards: Commended in the ‘New Building in the Classical Tradition’ category – a large Regency style extension to a North Oxfordshire House.
    • 2002 - Competition: Winner of RIBA invited competition for new Arts & Crafts style 2,500 sq.m. country house in Cheshire parkland.
    • 2001 - Competition: Shortlisted (from 98 competitors) in RIBA open competition for a new Georgian style 1200 sq.m. country house in Gloucestershire parkland.
    • 1997 - WODC Design Awards: Commendation - private house, West Oxfordshire.
    • 1994 - Oxford Preservation Trust: Award - conversion of G E Street’s St Philip and St James’ Church, (Listed Grade 1) Woodstock Road, Oxford to Study Centre.
    • 1993 - West Oxfordshire Design Awards: Award - Extension to The Great House, Burford (Listed grade II*), Commendation - Pool, pavilions and garden, Idbury Manor. (Listed Grade II)
    • Worshipful Company of Carpenters: Award - fitted and free standing furniture, private house near Oxford