About RHA Architects
Who we are
RHA Architects is a practice of professionals and support staff, whose work is overseen by our working Principal Director who has over 40 years’ experience in Architectural Practice.
Our ethos of technical and professional excellence is a matter of pride as we seek to meet and exceed those standards set through Chartered Status for the Architectural Professional Practice and through our adherence to the RIBA Chartered Practice Scheme.
Our core services are architecture, visualisation, property development and community engagement
Where we work
We are based in Leatherhead, Surrey just off Junction 9 of the M25 with easy access to road and rail infrastructure enabling us to have a broad portfolio of projects across the whole England and Wales. We carry out architectural projects and prepare concepts, designs and planning applications for Housing Associations, Contractors, large National and smaller Local Property Developers, Local Authorities and Private Clients.
Our workplace studio provides a working environment which harmonies our ethos of technical delivery and professional excellence.
At its core is an open plan office which encourages the free flow of ideas and a constant refreshment of the best practice approach and technical / design collaboration, which is further enhanced through regular forum discussions and design critiques. Our practice remains current through Continuous Professional Development.
Why we are different
RHA Architects offers a personal level of service and one to one engagement. We ensure that we always provide a responsive and timely service to all clients. Our team places client engagement and transparent communication at the forefront of our client relationships and at the heart of each project, bringing to our clients the skills and aptitude learned through 40 years of professional service and development experience. We also offer service beyond the usual architects practice by assisting clients with the negotiation and acquisition of land, working with legal teams to settle documents and undertaking approvals of s.106 Agreements.
Projects range from standalone bespoke new homes or extensions to multiple dwelling apartment blocks and mixed residential and commercial buildings. In each instance we take the approach that this will be someone's 'home' and deserves the care and attention we would give to designing our own home or a school we would send our children.
We aim to build what we design and retain the core 'in-house' skills to take a project from 'concept to completion'.
Robert Hands
Principal Director
Having spent over 40 years in the field of architecture and construction, Bob has significant experience in the detailed design and construction in the residential and commercial sectors. His project portfolio in the practice includes numerous new build residential projects ranging from single dwellings to apartment blocks of up to 76 flats with a mix of affordable, shared-ownership and market sale properties together with mixed retail and commercial use.
Graduating from the University of Greenwich, School of Architecture, Design and Construction in 1982, Bob joined Elsom Pack & Roberts in London undertaking a major refurbishment, new build and conversion of a central London postal sorting office spending over a year as Site Architect dealing with all the requirements of the contractor and client before joining a residential development company as Chief Architect in 1985. In 1987 Bob moved into Private Practice forming the Hards Stuart Appleton Partnership which undertook several retail, industrial and commercial projects before forming the Hards Partnership in 1990. In partnership with Green Acre Homes, they developed a number of residential projects across Kent, South London and Surrey.
A keen advocate in the technical delivery and inclusion of sustainable design, Bob promotes the use of sustainable technology. The Practice has under Bob's supervision undertaken the roles of Principal Designer and Lead Designer as appropriate.
Roy Anklesaria
Managing Director
Following completing a BSc (Hons) Degree at University in Politics and History, Roy undertook the Law Society’s Common Professional Examination and then Finals Examination and worked for several years as a conveyancer for a West End and then City firm of solicitors, then Coward Chace (now Clifford Chance) predominately undertaking Commercial Conveyancing and Landlord & Tenant Litigation.
Following an approach from a former client, Roy then became a Company Secretary and Director of a private property company where he obtained considerable experience of managing a substantial residential and retail portfolio of houses, flats and shops.
In 1996 Roy became a Project Manager at London Buses (part of Transport for London) managing a five-year specialist project for the £19m refurbishment of 17,500 bus stops 10,000 bus shelters around London and the advertising contracts for them.
In 2001 Roy joined the Audit Commission as Senior Performance Manager undertaking performance audits in Local Authorities and the NHS particularly in relation to procurement, property and planning related services. In 2004 Roy undertook the University of Portsmouth course to become an accredited Counter Fraud Specialist. When the Commission was abolished in 2011, Roy went into partnership with Bob to form an architectural practice which provides the whole range of services for a wide variety of clients.
Roy manages the Practice and Team as well as provides planning, legal and project management experience to all the projects undertaken.
Roy was also a Director of the Institute of Counter Fraud Specialists from 2014 to 2022 and is currently a Trustee of the Admiral Charitable Trust as well as School Governor at the City of London Freemen’s School in Ashtead and also a volunteer at the Epsom & St Helier NHS Trusts.