1999 — 2015. Today. Meet the team. Awards/LSA. Contact.

As our name might suggest, ArkleBoyce is the architectural practice of long time collaborators James Arkle & Graham Boyce. A young but experienced studio.

This is our journey. How we got to where we are today.

1999

(James) Arkle meets (Graham) Boyce at Newcastle University

and (Graham) Boyce meets (James) Arkle.

Graham is appointed president for the Newcastle Society of Architects.

James’ Thesis ‘Rethinking Education - Venice IUAV'’ exhibited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

James joins Faulkner Browns Architects and works on a £200m Masterplan for Doncaster Civic and Cultural Quarter and a competition winning proposal for Queens Club in West Kensington.

James becomes Associate at Cartwright Pickard Architects and delivers Doncaster’s £20m Civic Office and recieves RIBA Regional Award and BCO Award Shortlisted for Best Corporate Workplace in The North.

Graham joins Fletcher Priest Architects and delivers Watermark Place, a £160m, multi award winning scheme on the banks of the river Thames.

Graham becomes Associate at Seven Architecture and delivers a 111 bedroom student conversion of Grade II listed Algenon Firth.

James sets up Arkle Architects delivering Office, Retail and Residential Projects throughout the UK.

Arkle

Boyce.

Since 2015, ArkleBoyce (we) have delivered design-led, client-focused architectural solutions for a whole range of clients. From one-off private residencies to commercial developments. Masterplans to urban regenerations.

It’s not the size of a project that inspires us, but the opportunity to create something special.

Everyone brings something unique to the table. Want to join the team?

James Arkle. Partner

James co-founded ArkleBoyce Architects with Graham Boyce in 2014 and brings to the practice a wealth of experience in design and the delivery of a wide range of high-profile architectural and masterplanning projects, in both the public and private sectors.

He has designed and delivered a number of award-winning projects, is passionate about design, and enjoys working closely with clients and the wider team. James plays a key role in the managerial and organisational aspects of the office. James co-chaired the Leeds Society of Architects (Leeds branch of the RIBA) from 2016 – 2018, he has acted as an external critic at schools of architecture including The University of Sheffield and forms part of the judging Panel for the Leeds Architecture Awards.

Speak to James

Graham Boyce. Partner

Graham studied at The University of Newcastle upon Tyne and helped establish ArkleBoyce in 2014 having spent 5 years in London working for Fletcher Priest. As an associate at a national practice he was responsible for running a number of large mixed use schemes and sensitive conservation projects.

Within the studio Graham leads on large complex schemes and is passionate about seeing projects through from start to completion. Graham has been active within the RIBA for over 10 years, previously with the London Region, co-chair of the Leeds Society of Architects and is now a National Council Member.

Speak to Graham

Richard Copperwheat. Associate Director

Richard joined ArkleBoyce in 2015 where he became lead on a number of residential projects and was promoted to Associate in 2019.

Richard leads projects through all work stages, however, detailed design, construction and an understanding of how a design can be built and fully resolved are his particular expertise. Richard’s attraction to construction is borne out of an interest in how things are made and refined over time. Richard ensures this design rigour is reviewed and implemented across the office.

In recent years Richard has focussed on the design and delivery of notable residential properties including a contemporary pavilion, featured on Grand Designs. Presently he continues to be the team lead on a number of prestigious dwellings across the UK.

Kate Holt. Associate. Conservation Architect

Kate joined ArkleBoyce in 2016 and has delivered a variety of complex heritage and conservation projects since then. Including high-end refurbishment to an impressive Grade II Listed Beaux-Arts property in Marylebone.

Kate has a keen interest in both maintaining and repurposing historic buildings for the future and utilises her experience and skills to inform proposals which marry conservation with modern design and comforts.

Kate is both an AABC and RIBA Accredited Conservation Architect and the appointed architect to the Church of St. Philips, Osmondthorpe. Beyond practice, Kate continues to champion historic architecture as a member of Leeds Modernist Society, Leeds Civic Trust and SPAB Yorkshire.

Paul Hansell. Associate Director

Paul joined ArkleBoyce in 2017 and has delivered several notable projects since joining the practice. These include Crimple of Harrogate and a series of refurbishment and development projects for Workspace Group plc, one of London’s leading real estate investment trusts.

With a particular passion for office and conservation schemes, Paul utilises his wide-reaching experience to continually push the boundaries of creative innovation in the workplace. Paul also has a keen interest in visual communications and has built a large portfolio including digital graphics, architectural modelling, website design and printed media.

Tom Harden. Associate

Tom studied a BA and Masters in architecture at The University of Sheffield, where his work was awarded the White Rose student award and was nominated for the RIBA bronze medal. He completed his professional training at London Metropolitan Univerisity. He joined the practice in 2018.

Tom has worked on the design of several large scale public and commercial projects including the Leyland BASE2 innovation centre, Cannock Civic Centre, Rotherham’s Corporation Street development, and Whitehall Grange, an office headquarters.

Tom is committed to improving energy efficiency through design, and is developing the practice’s energy & carbon strategy and internal project review process. Tom is also leading the practice’s transition to Building Information Modelling software.

Jack Rowlinson. Architect

Jack studied Architecture and Environmental Design at Sheffield Hallam University, and was awarded a Masters degree from University of Westminster, where he completed his professional training. He joined ArkleBoyce in 2019 having worked at Chris Dyson Architects, and has since completed several projects in the residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors.

Jack has a wealth of experience in bespoke residential design, retrofit, and conservation and a keen interest in restoring, extending, and repurposing existing buildings.

Matt Drury. Architect

Matt studied both his BA(Hons) and Masters in Architecture at Northumbria University, before completing his professional qualifications at the RIBA North West in 2014. As a student Matt enjoyed great success, where his design projects were nominated for both the RIBA Silver Medal and RIBA North East Hadrian Medal.

Prior to joining ArkleBoyce, Matt lived in London for ten years. During this time, he gained valuable experience leading on a wide range of residential, commercial and mixed-use projects across all RIBA Work Stages.

Jessica Abbott. Architect

Jessica graduated from the University of Bath in 2017 after receiving a BSc(Hons) in Architecture, and from the MSA in 2020 with a MArch, winning the Hays Collaborative prize in her final year.

Jessica has a strong interest in how contemporary architecture responds the historic and natural environment, in particular how it can enhance an areas sense of place.

Lara Miller. Architect

Lara graduated from the University of Huddersfield in 2019, receiving a BA(Hons) Architecture (International) and from the University of Bath in July 2022 with a MArch. Lara's final undergraduate design project won the external examiners prize and was also shortlisted for the RIBA Bronze Medal, RIBA North East & Yorkshire Student Award and the Architects Journal student prize. During her master’s degree Lara won an RIBA wren insurance scholarship, this allowed her to develop a greater understanding of sustainable masterplan design. Lara was also part of a team that won a student design competition led by the future space’s foundation. Her final masters’ project won the RIBA Wessex Prize and was shortlist for the Architects Journal Student Prize in the sustainability category.

After graduating from her masters degree Lara has gained experience working in London on a range of projects across the UK. Lara completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice at the University of Westminster in 2024.

Frances Hedgley. Architectural Assistant

Frances graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2020 after achieving a BA(Hons) in Architecture.

Throughout her studies, Frances has developed a keen interest in residential projects, particularly in how the design of the home can affect mindset and health. Frances is also fascinated by the renovation of existing architecture to positively impact the environment it serves.

Niamh Ashley. Architectural Assistant

Niamh graduated from Leeds Beckett University in 2023 after completing her undergraduate architecture degree. Niamh’s final undergraduate design project was shortlisted for the RIBA Bronze Medal and won the West Yorkshire Society of Architects Student of the Year Award.
Niamh spent an exchange semester abroad at the IUAV University in Venice, Italy where she developed her experience in a Creative Exhibition design module and the WAVE summer workshop 2022. During her degree, Niamh was Highly Commended in the Women in Property Awards 2022 and won the Made at Uni Creative Sparks Competition with her installation created using recycled materials.

Jacob Midgley. Architectural Assistant

Jacob completed his undergraduate degree in 2024, graduating from Cardiff university with first class honours. His final undergraduate project, located in Venice, Italy, worked closely with the city’s climate issues and unique historical context. This final design project was highlighted on Dezeen in September 2024.

Having grown up in the Yorkshire Dales, Jacob is passionate about the countryside, the environment and traditional building styles. This has led to a broader interest in contemporary design which is sympathetic to historic context, particularly the ability good design has to bring new life to existing spaces.

Press, awards
and accomplishments.

2024

Architect of the Year 2024 Finalist Crimple Hall wins the Regional and Sustainability Awards at the RIBA Yorkshire Awards 2024 Curzon featured in the Architects Journal Crimple Hall shortlisted for RIBA Yorkshire Award 2024

2023

St Gemma's YPS wins Healthcare Project of the Year Crimple Hall shortlisted for an AJ award 2023 St Gemma's YPS shortlisted for Leeds Architectural Award 2023 St Gemma's YPS shortlisted for Structural Timber Awards 2023 Homestead wins York Design Award Crimple Hall shortlisted for 2023 RIBA Yorkshire Award The Homestead Featured in the Yorkshire Post

2022

Crimple featured in RIBA Journal Clayworth featured on Grand Designs The Old School featured in new book 'House Goals' Architect of the Year 2022 Finalist

2021

Leeds Masterplan featured in the AJ. Old School longlisted for RIBA House of the Year 2021 Shortlisted for Best Designer of the Year Dezeen 2021 emerging architecture studio of the year RIBA Yorkshire Award 2021 RIBA Yorkshire Small Project of the year award 2021 Ote Hall featured in Architects' Journal

2020

Northern Design Awards 2020 Residential Practice Finalist Shadwell features in Architects' Journal The Old School featured in Yorkshire Life Harrogate coach house featured in AJ RetroFirst stories The Old School Shortlisted for RIBA Yorkshire Award 2020 The Old School features in Enki and Homebuilding & Renovating magazine

2019

Moorland Garth in Build Magazine The Old School featured in The Yorkshire Post Clayworth Cottage featured in Architects Journal Crimple Hall featured in the Architects Journal

2018

Moorland Garth featured in The Yorkshire Post King Street featured in the AJ Boxwell Road shortlisted for Berkhamsted Citizens Award Low-carbon development in Calderdale James questioned by the AJ on the new NPPF Woodthorpe Lodge Featured in The Architects' Journal James and Graham featured in Riba Journal Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve contest designs revealed James featured in Yorkshire Post article on LSA Shortlist for Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve visitor centre contest

2017

James featured in the AJ questions to Ben Derbyshire Graham featured in AJ article - Stressed and Overworked 100 House 'garden village prototype' in AJ

2016

Cuckoo Wood featured in the AJ

Leeds Society of Architects. Co-Chairs 2017

For us, architecture isn’t just about the buildings we create, but about the bigger picture and how we cultivate great spaces in our region.

Co-Chairing the Leeds Society of Architects is both an honour and an opportunity for us to maintain, protect and inspire great architecture on our doorstep.

For more information please visit: leedsarchitects.tumblr.com