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Our work

High End Residential Architects in West Sussex

James Wells Architects is a high end residential architecture studio based in Chichester, West Sussex. Founded by James Wells, the practice has completed over 600 projects to date, with a strong focus on luxury residential design.

Our work spans a 70-mile radius of Chichester, the historic cathedral city with Roman roots. Before relocating the studio to West Sussex in 2018, James spent 12 years designing and managing high-end projects across central London.

We work with clients looking to build new homes or transform existing ones. This includes full refurbishments, internal reconfigurations, extensions and large-scale remodelling. Many of our clients come to us for our thoughtful approach to upgrading or reimagining period homes, which we hold deep expertise with.

JWA has particular expertise in navigating the planning process, including applications involving listed buildings and properties in conservation areas. We combine a refined design sensibility with a practical understanding of buildability and construction.

Below, you’ll find a selection of recent projects that showcase the range and quality of our high end residential work.

Sussex Listed Farmhouse Guest Bedroom 3 Roof, wall and window

Sussex Listed Farmhouse

00 Home Spa Sussex Listed Farmhouse

Home Spa at Sussex Listed Farmhouse

Black horse pub header

The Black Horse Pub, West Sussex

New Build Barn West Sussex

New Build Barn, West Sussex

00 Penthouse Central London

Central London Penthouse

00 Listed House remodelling 1

Listed House in South Downs National Park

00 Pool House Spa

Pool House & Spa, West Sussex

00 Castle external front facade

Grade II Listed Castle Refurbishment

Listed Cottage Downland Village

Listed Cottage Downland Village

00 Extension Victorian Terrace London

Terrace House Extension, London

00 New House SDNP

New House in South Downs National Park

00 Little Venice Exterior

Little Venice House, London

00 Stable Workshop

Stable Conversion for Workshop, West Sussex

00 New House West Sussex

New House, West Sussex

00 Barn Refurb courtyard

Barn Refurbishment, West Sussex

00 Hampstead House Refurb

Refurbished House, Hampstead

00 St Johns Wood House

St John’s Wood House, London

00 New Build House Wimbledon

New Build House, Wimbledon

00 Highgate House

Highgate House, London

513 RC Exterior two houses

New Development, St James’s, London

Ardingly Phase 1

New Build Residential Development

00 Listed Arts Crafts front elevation

Listed House Conversion and Development, Surrey

00 Beach House West Sussex

Beach House, West Sussex

DSC 2333

Listed Cottage, South Downs National Park

Retail townhouse exterior

Mayfair Townhouse

Front Door

Green Park House, Piccadilly

028 WELLS queenscourt V1 day 02

Two Penthouses, St John’s Wood

Our Work and Experience With Historic Buildings

Prior to setting up James Wells Architects, James spent seven years with Stanton Williams where he worked on Compton Verney Art Gallery and the Birmingham City Museum refurbishment as well as several exhibition designs. Establishing his practice in Central London in 1995 James undertook a wide range of projects, including designing a restaurant and café in the undercroft of St Paul’s Cathedral as well as the conversion of a listed warehouse to create Smiths of Smithfield into the three restaurants a bar and nightclub.

Unique Contemporary Design and Historic Appreciation

James has an innate understanding and appreciation of historic buildings. James’ design talent and understanding of contemporary and modern design is in equal measure to his depth of experience in working within the historic fabric of any building be it a cathedral, barn or Georgian town house. If you own a historically significant building and are looking for a high end residential architect our team’s skill set of design acumen and historic appreciation will result in a thoughtful design scheme for your residential project.