ABOUT
ABOUT KEEP ARCHITECTS
ABOUT KEEP ARCHITECTS
The word ‘KEEP’ represents both who we are and what we believe in. At its heart, ‘ keep’ speaks to our philosophy — to preserve, enrich, create and protect.
Preserve
We believe that the most sustainable form of development is to keep — to reuse and reimagine what already exists, weaving the stories of the past into the architecture of the future.
ProtectOur work celebrates the idea of the home as a safe keep — a place that protects and celebrates what matters most. We design bespoke houses that bring together our clients’ collections, memories, and sense of self, expressed through space, material, and connection to the landscape.
EnrichTo keep is also to endure. We design buildings that stand the test of time — elegant, enduring, and reflective of the era in which they are built. Each project captures the spirit of its place while remaining adaptable and future-focused.
CreateAt KEEP Architects, we bring together heritage, craftsmanship, and contemporary design, but above all, we place our clients and their stories at the centre of everything we do.
Light, Materiality and Personality
KEEP Architects creates elegant, contemporary homes unique to you. Each project is a deeply personal collaboration combining your vision with our expertise to craft a home- rooted in context, sustainability & high-quality- reflecting your life, style & individuality.
Our developments are designed with efficiency , sustainability , buildability, context and community value at the the forefront. Embracing tricky site issues with flare and imagination and vision to create unique buildings borne of their time and their context.
Our specialism in museums brings an understanding of the narrative of a collection as well as expertise in manipulating both daylight and artificial light to add drama and warmth , while understanding conservation needs and security.
KEEP continues to craft homes that are not just places to live—but legacies of identity, culture, and craft.
Our specialism in museums brings an understanding of the narrative of a collection as well as expertise in manipulating both daylight and artificial light to add drama and warmth , while understanding conservation needs and security.
KEEP continues to craft homes that are not just places to live—but legacies of identity, culture, and craft.
Est. 2010
KEEP Architects( Previously Richard Keep Architects) was founded in 2010 by architect Richard Keep, after delivering award-winning cultural buildings and beautifully crafted homes, in other notable practices. Over the past decade, Richard has led an evolving portfolio of private residential work across North London’s most desirable postcodes for high profile clients, alongside select international projects and museum consultancy.
Our award-winning project in Dartmouth Park was recognised with the Urban Oasis Award at the Don’t Move, Improve! Awards in 2020, celebrating its bold yet sensitive approach to space, light, and landscape.
We have deliberatly remained small and only take on a few projects to ensure quality standards are maintained and each project can be given the due care and attention it deserves.
We have deliberatly remained small and only take on a few projects to ensure quality standards are maintained and each project can be given the due care and attention it deserves.
TEAM
RICHARD KEEP
BA (Hons) Dip. Arch, ARB, RIBAFOUNDER
Richard grew up in Bloomsbury in London, where historic Georgian terraces sit alongside bold modern architecture forming the backdrop to his architectural journey.
Richard studied architecture at Oxford Brookes and Nottingham University qualifying as an architect in 2001. His early career was mentored by Mark Guard Architects, instilling a relentless pursuit of design excellence and attention to detail. At Rick Mather Architects, his design led approach was transferred to the historic architecture of Oxford where Richard worked on multiple award winning projects for Corpus Christi College, Keble College and the Ashmolean Museum transforming historic sites with contemporary vision. His work on the Ashmolean Museum, from masterplan to completion, has led to recent masterplanning work with Natural History Museum on both South Kensington and Tring site as the institution plans for its future.
Richard studied architecture at Oxford Brookes and Nottingham University qualifying as an architect in 2001. His early career was mentored by Mark Guard Architects, instilling a relentless pursuit of design excellence and attention to detail. At Rick Mather Architects, his design led approach was transferred to the historic architecture of Oxford where Richard worked on multiple award winning projects for Corpus Christi College, Keble College and the Ashmolean Museum transforming historic sites with contemporary vision. His work on the Ashmolean Museum, from masterplan to completion, has led to recent masterplanning work with Natural History Museum on both South Kensington and Tring site as the institution plans for its future.
Today, Richard leads the team @KEEP crafting homes for high profile clients that are not just places to live—but legacies of identity, culture, and craft, responding to both their time, their surroundings, their history and their owners. Richard’s expertise in creating homes marries perfectly with the technicalities and story telling of Museum design, to specialise in homes for collectors.
His award-winning project in Dartmouth Park was recognised with the Urban Oasis Award at the Don’t Move, Improve! Awards in 2020, celebrating its bold yet sensitive approach to space, light, and landscape.
ANDY WAKEFIELDBA (Hons) Dip. Arch, ARB
SENIOR ARCHITECT
Andy studied architecture at Kingston School of Art and London Metropolitan University.
Over a thirty-year career in several well-known practices—including the internationally acclaimed Rick Mather Architects and David Chipperfield Architects—he has worked across cultural, educational, commercial and residential sectors, contributing to projects at every design stage and a wide range of scales.
This has included leading projects for prominent cultural institutions in both the UK and the US, including the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.Throughout his career he has carried this experience into his work on private residential projects, bringing a strong curatorial sensibility, a nuanced understanding of spatial quality, and how materiality and light shapes the way people live in their homes.Andy’s collaboration with Richard began more than 25 years ago during their time working together at Rick Mather Architects. This is grounded in a mutual commitment to a rigorous design process and a belief that enduring architecture emerges from careful consideration of how people experience objects, rooms, buildings and places.
This has included leading projects for prominent cultural institutions in both the UK and the US, including the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.Throughout his career he has carried this experience into his work on private residential projects, bringing a strong curatorial sensibility, a nuanced understanding of spatial quality, and how materiality and light shapes the way people live in their homes.Andy’s collaboration with Richard began more than 25 years ago during their time working together at Rick Mather Architects. This is grounded in a mutual commitment to a rigorous design process and a belief that enduring architecture emerges from careful consideration of how people experience objects, rooms, buildings and places.
MASA MADDEN
Maša is an interior designer creating modern, timeless spaces defined by clarity, warmth, and a thoughtful use of colour and geometry.
With an MA in Architectural Interior Design from Inchbald, her work blends modernist sensibilities with an appreciation for craftsmanship and character - mixing new and vintage pieces to create interiors that feel both refined and lived in. Each project is approached with a deep understanding of how people inhabit their space, resulting in homes that are intelligent, authentic, and effortlessly functional.
Maša has collaborated with KEEP Architects since 2011.
Maša has collaborated with KEEP Architects since 2011.
TESTIMONIALS
“I tell you, we have set the bar high for the new place.
That home is so spectacular!”
That home is so spectacular!”
Returning Private Client, Highgate
“We can't tell you how happy we are with our new home, courtesy of you; your creative genius, expertise and experience.
We are sitting in the kitchen and looking out in wonder, daily/hourly etc.... it has truly transformed how we interact and spend time together, and the massive picture frame from the kitchen into the garden instingates a minute by minute narrative for the nature action.
We are going to live and die here very happily!! Beyond our expectations... really...”
James and Yvonne, Chalk Farm
We are going to live and die here very happily!! Beyond our expectations... really...”
James and Yvonne, Chalk Farm
“ The iterative design process was my highlight. The design didn’t arrive fully formed, but emerged gradually — shaped by conversation and careful refinement. Each iteration brought greater clarity, until the final design felt not only right, but inevitable.
The trust I placed in Richard was rewarded at every turn. The house he designed is not just functional and beautiful—it’s a true reflection of my vision, with touches that I never thought possible but now can’t imagine living without. From the orientation of the spaces to the careful selection of materials, every decision felt intentional, considered, and meaningful.”
Jon and Jo, Epsom
“The use of lines of light and windows created wonderful
spaces….
Absolutely excellent, no faults whatsoever. Great design, and well executed project that held to time and cost.”
David and Liv, NW5
“Richard reimagined every corner with such thoughtfulness and creativity, making clever use of every space and creating a flow that feels so natural.”
Private Client, Dartmouth Park