About us

Founded in 1992, A D Practice Ltd is a small, well-established and multidisciplinary Chartered RIBA architectural practice located in The Mill, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire.

We offer a full range of design services including specialised planning advice and design development; initial feasibility studies; planning permission consents and appeals; building regulations; sustainable design; energy efficiency advice; contract administration. We also offer Passivhaus design and are members of the Passivhaus Trust, the AECB (Association for Environment Conscious Building) and The Green Register.

Our key strength is our ability to listen and learn from our clients and work together in order to create better spaces that both work for people and improve their quality of life. We design in BIM (Building Information Modelling) meaning that we can offer 3D visualisations of all our schemes, no matter how small, which can aid the understanding of the design for both clients and planners.

Sustainability is at the heart of this philosophy and every design we produce. As members of several sustainable building associations and Certified Passivhaus designers, we design buildings that are healthy for both the planet and occupiers, using natural construction materials and renewable energy sources where possible, minimising the energy used by our buildings and setting them sensitively in nature to maximise natural daylighting and enhance local biodiversity.

We have a varied client base from both the public and private sectors, commissioning bespoke and developer-led schemes.

Completed work includes individual residential new-builds and developments; extensions and refurbishments; commercial schemes; conservation and listed building work; primary, secondary and tertiary level education projects; restaurant and retail fit-outs; ecclesiastical; healthcare and community projects.

The Team

This is our lovely team, we are a small team and work as a collective on projects so you will likely be speaking to each and everyone of us on your project.

David

David Parry

Director

David founded the practice over 30 years ago and brings a strong understanding of local planning, policy, and the surrounding built environment. His experience is supported by time spent as a St Albans District Councillor and Chair of the Planning Committee, giving him practical insight into how planning decisions are made.

He has represented many projects at planning committee meetings and has helped secure approvals at appeal, guiding clients through complex planning challenges with a calm and considered approach.

Most recently, David helped obtain permission for a sustainable development of 34 Passivhaus homes on a Green Belt site which is particularly meaningful as a previous proposal on the site had been refused on appeal. This project reflects his commitment to thoughtful, environmentally responsible design and his ability to work constructively within the planning system.

Heather

Heather Johnson (McNeill)

WhatsApp Image 2022-12-19 at 12.28.231.jpg

Director and Architect Heather started working at A D Practice Ltd at the age of 16 as a CAD Assistant which prompted her to study her Part 1 Architecture at the University of Bath. After a period of time in practice in Suffolk, she went on to complete her Part 2 at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth, North Wales and returned to to the practice in 2018. Heather completed her Part 3 studies at Kingston University and was accepted into the ARB and RIBA in 2021. As our Certified Passivhaus Designer, she specialises in sustainable and energy efficient design and has broad experience in the residential and conservation sectors. Her most recent achievement was being named as one of the RIBA Journal's Rising Stars 2024 - Please click here for link.

When Heather is not in the office she can be found in the mountains as a qualified ski and snowboard instructor or out in the fields with Winston the lovable dog!

ARB: 098095A

RIBA: 20005896

Director | BSc(Hons) Dip Arch PG Dip ARB RIBA CEPH

Emma

Emma Warren

Emma brings extensive experience in high-end residential design, having worked on a wide range of bespoke projects in St Albans as well as within established architectural practices across Devon and Cornwall. She completed both her undergraduate and Master’s degrees at the University of Plymouth before achieving her Part 3 qualification at UWE in 2023, and has since gained Passivhaus Designer certification.

Throughout her architectural career, Emma has developed a strong sensitivity to interior design and architectural aesthetics. Her work is driven not only by a commitment to sustainability, but also by a desire to harness natural light and incorporate natural materials to create spaces that feel calm, refined, and of enduring quality.

ARB: 100474C

RIBA: 20052738

Associate | BArch(Hons) MArch PG Dip ARB RIBA CEPH

Alison

Katherine Hutchins

Katherine obtained a first class honours in her Undergraduate studies at Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne. Here she pursued her active interest in regenerative design, refining her environmental awareness and sustainable technical understanding. Her developing design ethos as an aspiring architect is rooted in her passion of advocating for both people and the planet. Beyond her studies, she trained in Belgium to become a Carbon Literate; broadening her investigative rigour through delving into material origins, manufacturing and recycling processes. Her ability to listen and recognise existing lifestyles allows for designs that naturally compliment and enhance, in an environmentally conscious manner.

Architectural Designer (Part 1)