Keith Williams is a chartered architect and urban designer, and the founder and director of design at Keith Williams Architects.
He studied architecture at Kingston School of Art and Greenwich University, going on to work for Sir Terry Farrell before co-founding Pawson Williams Architects in 1987, establishing that firm as an important emerging force in British architecture. In 2001 he then founded Keith Williams Architects, since when he has been the recipient of over 40 national and international architecture and design awards, and has become one of this country’s leading architects. He works nationally and internationally across a broad range of project scales and types and is personally involved with the design and direction of each commission that the office undertakes.
A longstanding member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, in 2005 he was elected as a member of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland for his work in that country, and in 2007 he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In 2016 he was one of the first to become a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects when fellowship was reintroduced by the RIBA for practising architects at the end of that year.
From 2015-2023 he was Chair of the Civic Trust Awards National Panel of Judges, he is Co-Chair of Design South East Review Panel, Chair of the Lewisham Design Review Panel, and was a member of the National Design Review Panel at Design Council CABE until he stood down in 2020.
In 2017 he became a committee member of the Architecture Club and in 2024 Chair of the Board of Trustees of Docomomo UK.
Keith Williams has taught widely and lectured on his work, thoughts and ideas across the UK as well as in Canada, China, Ireland, and Malaysia. In 2010 he was made Distinguished Honorary Visiting Professor of Architecture at Zhengzhou University, China.
Keith was an external examiner to the School of Architecture at the University of Strathclyde from 2010–2013 and Anglia Ruskin University 2021-2024.
He is now an external examiner to the School of Architecture at the University of Kent.
He has judged numerous high profile architectural competitions and awards schemes and his work has been published worldwide.
The first monograph on the firm’s work entitled “Keith Williams : Architecture of the Specific” was first published by Images Publishing Ltd, Melbourne in 2010.
He travels extensively but lives and works in London.
Richard Brown is a chartered architect and has been a board director at Keith Williams Architects since its foundation in 2001. He has specific responsibility for design development, implementation and technical coordination across the firm's projects.
Memberships
Royal Institute of British Architects
Member of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
Member of Southwark Design Review Panel 2012-2019
Member of Islington Design Review Panel 2014-2023
Lectures and Teaching
Visiting Critic London Metropolitan University
Career Summary
Educated at Kingston School of Architecture, he diplomated in 1992, qualifying as an architect in 1993. He was elected to the RIBA in 1994 and to the RIAI in 2019.
Keith Williams Architects : Board Director 2001- Present
Pawson Williams Architects : Associate Partner 1999 – 2000
Pawson Williams Architects : Senior Architect 1996 – 1999
Richard is a gifted architect with an acute sense of architectural composition, he has excellent creative and co-ordination skills, and is expert in CAD and IT as applicable to the design and construction process.
His many projects include:
The Luan Gallery, Athlone, Ireland 2010-2012
Director responsible for the technical design, and construction through to completion and occupation. The 575 m2 building comprised the 1897 Father Mathew Hall, re-modelled and stripped back internally to create new gallery space, and a new build gallery wing. Project Cost € 2.8 million
New Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury UK 2007-2011
Director responsible for the technical design and construction phase of the project
4,850 m2 theatre building incorporating 1.200 seat main Auditorium, 150 seat second space, with associated bars, cafe, rehearsal and backstage facilities. new building replaces existing theatre; a converted 1930s cinema. Project cost £25.6 million.
National Opera House, Wexford, Ireland 2005-2008
Director responsible for the technical design and construction phase of the project. The 7,200m2 project laid out over six levels around main auditorium Exceptionally high standards of detail and finish Management of full design team to tight timescale and budget. Project cost €33 million.
Athlone Civic Centre, Athlone, Ireland 2001-2005
Director responsible for the technical design, and construction through to completion and occupation.4,200m2 of accommodation over four levels Includes library, office space, civic functions and debating chamber Management of full design and contract administration. Project cost €13.5 million.