Richard Coleman

Richard gives advice on architecture, urban design and matters concerning development in historic environments. He set up his consultancy in 1997, after being Deputy Secretary at the Royal Fine Art Commission for nearly 13 years. As a Director at Savills, and previously a principal of Citydesigner, Richard has contributed to a great number of high profile projects, concerning developments which affect conservation areas and listed buildings, Royal Parks and World Heritage Sites. He has endeavoured in his work to encourage the highest level of design thinking to ensure an appropriate level of harmony between the old and the new. A clear assessment of existing environments and their history, and of imagined environments and their future, lies at the heart of understanding these matters and finding appropriate solutions.

Richard gives advice on architecture, urban design and matters concerning development in historic environments. He set up his consultancy in 1997, after being Deputy Secretary at the Royal Fine Art Commission for nearly 13 years. As a Director at Savills, and previously a principal of Citydesigner, Richard has contributed to a great number of high profile projects, concerning developments which affect conservation areas and listed buildings, Royal Parks and World Heritage Sites. He has endeavoured in his work to encourage the highest level of design thinking to ensure an appropriate level of harmony between the old and the new. A clear assessment of existing environments and their history, and of imagined environments and their future, lies at the heart of understanding these matters and finding appropriate solutions.  

1976-77, assistant to the architect responsible for Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace.  

1984-1997 Deputy Secretary of the Royal Fine Art Commission. He advised on many projects on behalf of interdisciplinary Commissioners.  

1997-June 2025, Principal of Citydesigner, a heritage, townscape and design consultancy, which became an industry leader and over its 28 years has trained many of those now running subsequent competitor townscape and heritage practices.

July 2025-present, Citydesigner was acquired by Savills where Richard is now Director of Heritage, Townscape, and Archaeology.