ABOUT

Who We Are

Our core team are Gary Butler and Claire Hegarty.

At least one member of the core team is involved in every project, so that each client is given focussed and consistent attention.

We are part of a network of other consultants, practitioners, specialised contractors and craftspeople, with whom we have worked over many years.

Gary Butler RIBA

Educated at Leicester Polytechnic and Cambridge University.

Previously worked with Colin St. John Wilson and Julian Harrap Architects.

Involved in academia as well as practice. Formerly a Principal Lecturer at Kingston and Cambridge Universities. Currently teaching at the Building Crafts College, Stratford.

Postgraduate Diploma in the Conservation of Timber Buildings from Bournemouth University (based at the Weald and Downland Museum).

Claire Hegarty RIBA

Educated at the Bartlett School, University College, London.

Independent Chair, Peckham Heritage Regeneration Partnership, 2016 –

Formerly tutor in architectural design and theory at Birmingham, Kingston and South Bank Universities.

Parent Governor (2010 – 2014) and Community Governor (2020 -) at Grafton Primary School, Islington.

Specialist Conservation Accreditations

Gary Butler

Accredited Architect in Building Conservation (AABC)

RIBA Conservation Register: registered as a Specialist Conservation Architect (SCA), and assessor for new applicants (2016).

PG Dip. Conservation of Timber Buildings, Bournemouth University (2002)

Our Clients

Our projects are structured to meet our client’s requirements.

As a small practice, we are able to respond to each client with care and treat each project uniquely. We produce highly specific proposals and invent practical and beautiful solutions.

Our projects range in budget from £10,000 to £3.5 million.

Our clients include many private individuals. We have also worked with a diverse range of organisations, businesses, institutions and local authorities.

Recent clients include:

Turner’s House Trust
Building Crafts College
The Royal Household
Peckham Townscape Heritage Initiative
London Historic Buildings Trust
The Sheppard Trust
Herefordshire County Council
Gloucester City Council
The London Boroughs of:
Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Haringey, Islington

Open House visitors, South Ealing Cemetery Chapels
Open House visitors, South Ealing Cemetery Chapels

“Gary Butler was recommended to me by my neighbours, who correctly told me that he was exactly the right architect to sort out a problem I had with the local authority and my original architects and builders.  He had to take over the incomplete and incompetent restoration of a Grade II* listed terraced house in London.  This involved dealing with planning authorities, lawyers, neighbours and his desperate client, as well as making planning applications, finding new builders and overseeing the eventually wholly successful restoration, paying close attention to all details and always protecting the original fabric of the building.   Throughout the process he remained popular with the planning officials and the builders, and his interest in the house itself meant that he always worked cooperatively with the builders to find the correct and least intrusive solution to any problem.  His skill ranges from defining the correct reconstruction of an early 18th century roof to giving advice on suitable paint colours.  Gary and the team at Butler Hegarty were a delight to work with and in any future project I would not dream of employing any other architect.  I would recommend Butler Hegarty to any potential client, especially – but not only – if they had a project involving a listed building.”

Kate Gavron, private client

“Butler Hegarty Architects were committed to delivering a thorough Options Appraisal for the South Ealing Cemetery Chapels. They brought a range of expertise to the project, providing specialist guidance on conservation needs and approaches to repair, drawing on Gary’s particular knowledge of Victorian Architecture. Claire led on the community consultation aspects of the project, taking the time to identify and engage with people and groups in the locality to understand how the site could respond to their needs.  It was a pleasure to work with them and we appreciate the additional time they gave to support an Open House event at the Chapels.”

Rosie Shaw, London Historic Buildings Trust

Our Awards

2018

Project: Turner’s House

RIBA Awards 2018

RIBA London Conservation Award, RIBA London Award

Civic Voice Design Awards 2018

People’s Award, Highly commended in Historic Buildings category

Brick Awards 2018

Highly commended

RICS Award 2018

Shortlisted, Building Conservation category

2015-2016

Project: The Master’s House

RIBA Awards West Midlands Region 2016

Building of the Year, Conservation Project of the Year

Civic Trust Awards 2016

National Winner

Civic Voice Awards 2016

Winner Restoration category

RICS Awards 2016

West Midlands Conservation Award

LABC Building Excellence Awards 2016

West of England Best Public Service Building

Wood Awards 2015

Highly Commended

2016

Project: Georgian House, Hampstead

LABC Building Excellence Awards

Highly commended

2015

Project: Canonbury Square

Georgian Group Architectural Awards

Joint Winner, Giles Worsley Award for a New Building in a Georgian Context

2010

Project: Tottenham High Road

Georgian Group Architectural Awards

Restoration of a Georgian Building in an Urban Setting – commended

2004

Project: Stepney Green

Georgian Group Architectural Awards

Restoration of a Georgian Building in an Urban Setting – commended

2002

Project: Ancient House

Green Apple Jubilee Heritage Award