Rock Architects

What Rock Architects does

Rock Architects is a Cambridge-based, RIBA Chartered architectural practice specialising in Passivhaus-certified, low-energy residential and select heritage and hospitality design. Led by co-directors Adam Leigh-Brown, who drives technical, environmental, and Passivhaus certification work, and Barry Wark, who leads conceptual design with research interests in computation and ecology, the studio operates with a small team of Chartered Architects, project managers, and low-carbon designers. Core offerings include bespoke new builds, comprehensive refurbishments, extensions, barn conversions, Grade II listed building work, and the specialised Passivhaus/EnerPHit design services that underpin most of the practice's project portfolio.

The practice's underlying technical approach centres on Passivhaus methodology, EnerPHit retrofit standards for existing solid-walled mid-century properties, advanced 3D modelling and visualisation, and regulatory expertise in securing planning and listed building consent on heritage sites that have previously resisted approval. Revenue is generated through project-based professional services fees on bespoke commissions, with quote-based pricing and multi-year contract durations spanning concept through completion. Customers are primarily affluent residential clients seeking energy-efficient homes without sacrificing design quality, supplemented by occasional commercial hospitality clients. Go-to-market is direct client engagement supported by a portfolio-driven website, Instagram, and a journal covering Passivhaus and planning topics, with no intermediary distribution channels. The practice operates across Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Surrey, and the broader East of England region.

Name

Rock Architects

Legal name

Rock Architects

Website

https://rockarchitects.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rock Architects is a Cambridge-based RIBA Chartered practice designing Passivhaus-certified, low-energy bespoke homes, heritage conversions, and select hospitality venues for affluent residential clients across the East of England and Surrey.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Residential Building Construction (2361)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB)

Keywords

• Residential architecture
• Passivhaus design
• Low-energy buildings
• Heritage conversions
• Sustainable design

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Architectural Services: Professional architectural services for residential projects including design, project management, and construction delivery. Revenue is generated through project-based fees for bespoke residential architecture.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Rock Architects is a Cambridge-based architectural practice that provides bespoke residential and selective commercial architectural design services. The firm specialises in Passivhaus-certified, low-energy new builds, refurbishments, extensions, barn conversions, and Grade II listed building restorations, with end-to-end project delivery from concept through construction.

Product overview

Rock Architects is a Cambridge-based RIBA Chartered architecture practice offering specialized residential and commercial design services. The core offering comprises residential architecture services (new builds, refurbishments, extensions), Passivhaus-certified low-energy design, heritage listed building conversions, and commercial hospitality design. The practice is led by directors Adam Leigh-Brown and Barry Wark, with Adam leading technical and environmental direction and Barry leading conceptual and design work. Projects include Home Farm (new 5-bedroom Passivhaus), Corbel House (first single-home EnerPHit retrofit in East of England), Kuro House (family home refurbishment with Sugi Ban charred-timber cladding), Leylands (Arts & Crafts residence in Surrey Hills), The Old Cart Shed (Grade II listed barn conversion), Langley Lodge Barn (300-year-old barn restoration), Fig House (low-energy refurbishment), and Sole and Duck (Grade II listed pub converted to restaurant).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Architecture Services Full-service bespoke residential architecture for private homeowners, including new builds, refurbishments, extensions and conversions, delivered from initial concept through construction.
• Passivhaus Design Services Specialised low-energy, Passivhaus-certified architectural design delivering up to 90% reduction in energy use compared to current UK building regulation standards, for new builds and deep retrofits.
• Heritage and Listed Building Conversions Conservation-led design services for Grade II listed buildings, barn conversions and historic property renovations, including planning and listed building consent expertise for challenging heritage sites.
• Commercial Hospitality Design Architecture and interior design services for commercial hospitality venues, including conversions of listed pubs into restaurants with new bar, drinks area, restaurant and private dining spaces.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 90% less energy use and heating costs compared to typical UK building regulation standards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Rural Office for Architecture: UK practice working on rural and contemporary residential projects with a low-carbon, craft-led ethos. Comparable in scale and design-led sustainability focus though less explicitly Passivhaus-certified.

Direct peers

• Mole Architects: Cambridge-based contemporary architecture practice with a strong residential and rural/historic project portfolio. Comparable on geography, scale, and focus on design-led bespoke residential commissions.
• Architype: UK-based architecture practice with deep Passivhaus and low-carbon design expertise across residential, education, and community projects. Highly comparable as a sustainability-led UK architectural practice competing in the same low-energy residential niche.
• Ash Sakula Architects: London-based Passivhaus-certified practice focused on low-carbon residential, community, and adaptive reuse projects. Comparable in sustainability positioning, certification, and project-based service model.
• Prewett Bizley Architects: RIBA Chartered practice focused on contemporary, sustainable, low-energy residential architecture including certified Passivhaus projects. Direct competitor in the bespoke low-carbon residential niche across southern England.
• Parsons + Whittley: Cambridge-based RIBA Chartered Practice specializing in Passivhaus residential architecture including new builds, extensions, and retrofits. Directly comparable geography and service offering to Rock Architects.
• Bere:Architects: RIBA Chartered Bristol-based practice with strong Passivhaus and low-energy credentials across bespoke residential and small-scale commercial projects. Comparable as a small sustainability-led UK practice.

Others

• Eco Design Consultants: UK consultancy providing Passivhaus design, energy assessment, and certification support to architects and self-builders. Comparable in the Passivhaus ecosystem as an enabling partner rather than a direct architectural competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Haworth Tompkins: Established London-based RIBA Chartered practice with significant residential, heritage, and conservation work, including Passivhaus-standard projects. Comparable at the intersection of residential design and sustainability though operating at a larger scale.
• Feilden Fowles: RIBA Stirling-shortlisted UK practice with residential, education, and heritage projects and a sustainability-led ethos. Comparable on design quality and sustainability credentials but at a larger scale and broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/rockarchitects
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rock-architects-ltd

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rock Architects