The award recognises Colony Architects’ collaborative, specialist‑driven approach to design and its impact across heritage, residential and community‑focused regeneration projects.
Theale, Berkshire – 30 September 2026 – Colony Architects has been named Architectural Practice of the Year at the Thames Valley Property Awards, following a year of standout delivery across sensitive and technically demanding heritage work, high‑quality residential design and socially significant regeneration schemes.
The practice, founded by Directors Ed Mather and Stu Hall and now a 15‑strong team, operates across four core disciplines — heritage, residential, developer‑led and commercial — and delivers projects through the full RIBA Stages. Its “method architecture” approach blends specialist design expertise, commercial understanding, with hands‑on, practical understanding of construction, enabling the team to make better‑informed design decisions on complex sites, and represent our client’s interest.
Over the qualifying period, Colony delivered a series of projects that demonstrated creativity, technical rigour and meaningful local impact. Notable projects included the rescue and stabilisation of listed buildings on the “At risk” register, contemporary interventions to listed homes; and the transformation of a long‑vacant youth centre in Reading into new housing and community space while safeguarding a culturally significant 40‑metre mural. Alongside this Coloney delivered12 key affordable housing sites in the past 3 years, one of which achieved the international ultra-low-energy Passivhaus performance standard.
The judging panel recognised Colony’s collaborative way of working — from deep engagement with conservation officers and local authorities to sustained involvement with community groups — as well as its commitment to education and skills development through talks, work experience placements and pro bono support for grassroots organisations.
Ed Mather, Director at Colony Architects
, said:
“Winning Architectural Practice of the Year is a milestone for our team. It recognises the way we’ve chosen to practise — combining technical ambition with a genuine commitment to the communities we work in. For us, great architecture isn’t limited to landmark projects; it’s just as important in family homes, grassroots schemes and the places people rely on every day. This award reflects the belief that collaborative, hands‑on design can deliver real impact locally, and we’re proud to see that approach celebrated.”