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About Us

A practice of three RIBA chartered directors in Guildford. We work on homes, schools and historic buildings, and we take time to understand your priorities.

Arrange a free visit

The Weyside Extension, which houses the Weyside Architects office

Entrance hall with a new encaustic tile floor

The directors

Heather Shepherd

RIBA, Director · MA (Cantab), DipArch, DipCons

Heather qualified as an RIBA chartered architect in 2001. She has a special interest in working with historic buildings and is experienced in delivery of high quality, design-led education and residential projects.

As a design architect Heather enjoys working on residential, academic, retail, ecclesiastical and arts projects. She is qualified and experienced in conservation work and is able to work constructively with planners to get permission for challenging sites, using a sensitive, client focused approach to design beautiful buildings that are sympathetic to their setting and work for their users.

Heather studied at Cambridge from 1994 to 2000 and worked at Marcus Beale Architects in Wimbledon for fifteen years. She also has a Diploma in Conservation of the Historic Environment.

heather@weysidearchitects.co.uk · 07713 879514

James Donlon

RIBA, Director · BA(Hons), DipArch, MArch

James qualified as an RIBA chartered architect in 2005 and is experienced in design and delivery of high quality residential and institutional projects, centred around core principles of conservation and sustainability.

With a strong design and technical background, James enjoys working with individuals and institutions to understand and prioritise their requirements, develop responsive designs and ultimately deliver successful, cherished built projects.

James worked at Associate level at Marcus Beale Architects in Wimbledon for eight years and as Production Manager for St James Group, on prime London regeneration projects. He was awarded commendations from the University of Sheffield and University College London, and has a Masters degree in Architectural Studies for his study of US urbanism, in liaison with UCLA.

james@weysidearchitects.co.uk · 07713 626253

Heather Sheridan

RIBA, Director · BA(Hons), DipArch, RIBA CA

Heather qualified as an RIBA chartered architect in 2008 and gained RIBA Conservation Architect accreditation in 2019. She has experience working with listed buildings, from small scale residential to large scale public heritage projects.

Heather listens and enjoys collaborating with a client to develop their brief. With an adaptable and communicative approach, she finds ways to develop the potential of any special place, working towards a well designed, well made and useful building.

Before joining Weyside Architects in 2022, Heather worked for four years with Parliament's Heritage and Collections team on developing the strategic briefing for the Restoration and Renewal Programme for the Houses of Parliament.

hsheridan@weysidearchitects.co.uk · 07989 812861

RIBA charteredAll three directors

RIBA Conservation ArchitectHeather Sheridan, 2019

DipConsConservation of the Historic Environment

Award winningPrimary Education Project of the Year 2025

Our principles

Conservation

Our designs are informed by conservation principles, by understanding the site and the existing building before creating new, appropriate and intelligent interventions.

Collaboration

We believe that good architecture is the result of more than one designer: collaboration with planners, consultants, builders and clients is the key to a well thought out, beautiful building.

Your project

We take time to understand your priorities so we can deliver successful projects that respond to your interests and needs at work, rest or play.

Your place

From tactile detail to urban scale, we will work with you to create humane places that are sympathetic to their context, in scale, proportion and material.

Tell us about your project

Send us a message and we will contact you to arrange a free visit.

Call: 01483 363043
Email: info@weysidearchitects.co.uk
Office: 9 Wherwell Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 4JR
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm