Heritage & Conservation Architects
Nex is a practice of conservation-accredited architects working on the creative transformation of listed buildings and historic estates.
Heritage & Invention
We treat the care of historic buildings as stewardship: a long-term responsibility for the fabric and for how a building is used. We adapt listed buildings for new life while retaining what makes them significant. Institutions come to us with different problems. Some need a building to serve new audiences and uses. Others need historic fabric decarbonised. Often this work has to happen while the building stays open.
Our appointments range from masterplanning and feasibility studies through to full design and delivery. In all cases, we begin with archival research, develop consent strategies with conservation officers, and plan construction around buildings that remain in use.
At the British Museum we are leading the conservation repair and environmental renewal of the Round Reading Room's dome, lantern, surrounding roofs and environmental systems. We are renewing twelve galleries across the North Wing. In the East Wing, our refurbishment of the Sanskrit Library will reduce energy loss by 57 per cent. At the University of Oxford, we refurbished Exeter College's Grade II listed library, designed by George Gilbert Scott in 1857. The Jackson Library was named RIBA South Building of the Year and Conservation Project of the Year in 2025. The Society of Antiquaries of London recently appointed us to undertake a feasibilty study to shape the future of its buildings at Burlington House. At the RAF Museum in Hendon, our restoration of a derelict 1930s supplies building helped secure Heritage Lottery Fund support for the wider Centenary Masterplan.
Our team includes RIBA conservation architects and RIBA chartered architects. The senior people you meet at the start see the project through. We work with Historic England, conservation officers and amenity societies, and every listed building consent and planning application we have submitted has been granted.
Building Design named Nex UK Creative Conservation Architect of the Year in 2025, recognition of an approach that treats invention and conservation as one discipline.