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Rio Architects

Rio Architects

Architecture and Planning

Cardiff, Wales 4,902 followers

A collective of architects, interior designers, and masterplanners creating extraordinary buildings, places, and spaces.

About us

We bring an interdisciplinary design-focused approach to all our projects. For over 20 years, our meticulous and iterative design process has inspired clever and unexpected solutions to complex challenges and constraints, resulting in extraordinary places for end-users and increased value for our clients. As architects and designers, we share the philosophy that form and function should always be as one - interconnected and interdependent. Our approach to design is holistic; every aspect and detail is rigorously and obsessively interrogated, justified, and considered as a whole until we have the best result possible. As architects and designers, we are: Passionately design-driven We bring an interdisciplinary design-focused approach to all our projects. Our meticulous and iterative design process inspires clever and unexpected solutions, resulting in extraordinary places for end-users and increased value for our clients. Moving beyond expectations Our ultimate goal is to deliver outcomes that transcend expectations and yield extraordinary results. Personable collaborators We take pride in providing a collaborative service that is friendly and personable, and infused with a sense of fun and enjoyment. Across our UK offices, we foster an open and inclusive working environment of collaboration and opportunity. We believe every individual has valuable insights and perspectives to contribute, so we encourage everyone to be hands-on and provide input into all projects. Our environment and the local community is important to us. We take social responsibility seriously, supporting numerous charities and encouraging our staff to assist a wide range of local organisations and initiatives.

Industry
Architecture and Planning
Company size
11-50 employees
Headquarters
Cardiff, Wales
Type
Public Company
Founded
2000
Specialties
Architecture, Residential, Education, Workplace, Masterplanning, Visualisation, Building Information Modelling, Interior Design, Design, Placemaking, Digital Construction, Sustainability, Healthcare, Hospitality, Retail & Leisure, Regeneration & Reuse, and Competitions & Concepts

Locations

Employees at Rio Architects

Updates

  • Cheers from the Rio Team! Longer, brighter days are on the way – what better way to celebrate than with a Rio Spring social at Stable? A shout out to our social committee for pulling it all together and to everyone who joined in last week —whether for the pizza or just the laughs. Until the next one! 

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    The UK’s build-to-rent sector is experiencing continued expansion. Our latest article explores why strategic site location is crucial for success and how developers can capitalise on future growth. Director and Architect Chris Taylor shares key insights on maximising viability and profitability in the BTR market. Read more about the primary factors for success in build-to-rent: https://lnkd.in/eqhi6v_m #Architecture #BTR #BuildToRent

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  • We recently had the pleasure of hosting Jack Bailey, an HNC student from Gower College Swansea. As part of our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students, we provide valuable work experience at every stage – from GCSE to graduate placements. During his time with us, Jack had the opportunity to gain first-hand insights into our projects, learning about the creative and technical aspects of architectural design, which complemented his academic studies and allowed him to tap into the experience and expertise of our team and showed him what a career in architecture could look like. #FutureTalent #Construction #Architecture 

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  • We’re proud to announce that we are officially partnering with Sandville Self Help Foundation as our 2025 charity partner. Our entire team is coming together to raise funds and offer our time to support the incredible work Sandville does across South Wales. Sandville Self Help Foundation is committed to supporting people with life-limiting and life-changing conditions, especially those facing cancer, palliative care, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, brain injuries, complex pain, respiratory conditions, dementia, and vulnerable people, by providing expert support, and opportunities to meet others in similar circumstances. The amazing staff and volunteers at Sandville provide a friendly and relaxing environment with access to gym/mobility sessions, a hydrotherapy pool, complementary therapies, hair and beauty, and a fully accessible sensory garden. Our support coincides with a milestone year for us as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. We look forward to seeing the impact this partnership will have and the positive change we can create together. Keep an eye out for our fundraising activities – we’ll be giving our time, sweat and tears and pushing boundaries for your money (which will be much appreciated and welcomed). Read more about the charity and please consider donating to support Sandville’s important work: www.sandville.org.uk #charitypartner #fundraisingwork #fundraising #charity #localcharity

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  • We're expanding the team! We’re seeking experienced, passionate and detail-focused Architects and Technologists to add to our dynamic and growing team at our Cardiff studio. If you value innovation and collaboration and find joy in the creative process, we’d love to hear from you! To apply, please get in touch by emailing your CV and portfolio at studio@rioarchitects.com #hiring #ArchitectureJobs #Architect #CardiffJobs #career #technologists #CIAT #RIBA #Design

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  • Sweet treats and even sweeter competition for this year’s annual Welsh Cake Bake Off. Celebrating St David’s Day, we held our annual Welsh Cake Bake Off yesterday, bringing together competitive baking and a great cause. Congratulations to our winners: Best Overall: Sian Evans, our star baker! Most Creative Flavour: Kathryn White, with her bold Mexicana & Parmesan creation. Best Presentation: Lee Griffiths, who took things to new heights with a three-tiered Welsh Cake! Most importantly, we raised £75 for Sandville Self Help Foundation, supporting their incredible work. A huge thank you to everyone who baked, judged, ate and donated! Swipe through to see the highlights from the day. #architecture #stdavidsday #wales

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    Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! As is customary at Rio – we’re celebrating with our annual Welsh Cake Bake Off. Over the weekend, our team will have baked their best Welsh Cakes, and if you’re nearby, drop into the Cardiff studio for a treat and a catch-up this Monday. This year, we’re pleased to be raising money for Sandville Self Help Foundation, who provide physical, emotional, psychological and social support through a range of activities, therapies and groups. Each cake is just 50p, and your support helps a fantastic charity – you’ll also get to vote for your favourite. #StDavidsDay #Wales

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  • Today, Andrew Joss and Daniel Bees, experienced members of our digital construction team, had the pleasure of delivering a focused lecture to 2nd-year architecture students at the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University at Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd . Recognising the need to prepare future architects, we developed the lecture as part of our educational outreach. In the session we talked about: ⚪ Progressive technologies that improve efficiency and detail ⚪ BIM methodologies and best practices ⚪ How artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT and LookX is changing construction processes Thank you to Cardiff University and Camilla Pezzica for hosting us and supporting a setting where education and practice meet. #architecture #digitalconstruction #guestlecture #BIM #cardiffschoolofarchitecture

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    We’ll be attending and exhibiting at Wales Week / London this Thursday, and we look forward to connecting with everyone there. As a proud Welsh practice, we’re pleased to showcase our work alongside other talented architects and look forward to an evening of networking, culture, and great design! See you in London! #walesweeklondon

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    🎉 Join us for an evening celebrating Wales Week London 2025 with guest speaker Sarah Featherstone, Director at Featherstone Young! Network, enjoy a Welsh choir performance, and explore an exclusive exhibition showcasing the work of Welsh Architects and Architecture in Wales🏛️ Secure your ticket here: https://lnkd.in/eiFWqHak

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    We’re pleased to see this significant project take a major step forward, with GOLDBECK Construction Ltd. leading the delivery of the new County Hall for Cardiff Council. Rio Architects is proud to be working with GOLDBECK Construction Ltd., contributing to a development that prioritises sustainability, efficiency and innovative methods of construction. The development will set a benchmark for modern, net zero-carbon workplaces and significantly reduce the council’s office footprint and operating costs. This building is one of the key projects in the Atlantic Wharf Regeneration Development and is set to transform this area of Cardiff Bay. A huge congratulations to the whole team—we look forward to seeing this come to life.

    GOLDBECK UK Awarded Major Atlantic Wharf Regeneration Project in Cardiff, Wales🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 We are delighted to have been awarded our largest project in the UK market to date, with a high-value Pre-Contract Service Agreement (PCSA) to construct a highly sustainable new County Hall for Cardiff Council, as part of the Atlantic Wharf urban regeneration area in the Welsh capital that is transforming the southern Butetown old docks district into a vibrant cultural hub for the city. This exciting development forms part of the wider regeneration of Atlantic Wharf, which extends over circa 30 acres and will deliver a mixed-use development, incorporating restaurants and bars, leisure, office, residential hotel and cultural uses adjacent to a new 15,000-capacity indoor arena. The new smaller County Hall will provide a modern sustainable working environment more closely tailored to the council’s requirements, by sharply reducing the 26,000 sqm office footprint of the current obsolete building to 9,000 sqm and also significantly lowering operational costs, while providing more public ‘green space’ and development opportunities around the location. 📃 What sets this project apart? Everything from a single source. ↔️ We manage every aspect in-house – from architectural design to material manufacturing and on-site assembly—ensuring tight cost control, efficiency, and sustainability. Craig Davies, Managing Director, GOLDBECK UK, explains: “The new County Hall will use our industry-leading ‘turnkey’ integrated construction model to deliver an operationally zero-carbon building both meeting Cardiff Council’s needs and significantly reduce operating costs. We guarantee efficiency and cost certainty by managing the entire process in-house – both crucial to the success of Atlantic Wharf’s regeneration.” The UK construction industry faces mounting challenges, so we see Atlantic Wharf as a blueprint for the future – demonstrating how cost-effective cutting-edge construction methods can deliver sustainable, mixed-use developments that serve local communities and fuel economic growth. #GOLDBECK #AtlanticWharf #Cardiff #SustainableConstruction #UrbanRegeneration

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