rak
Sustainability
Holly and Giles Allerford
The result is transformative. It’s a space that feels open, vibrant, and alive, with every corner reflecting care and respect for the original part of our house. Not only has rak created a space that is utterly beautiful, but they have completely changed the way our family lives in our home. We never imagined we’d be living somewhere as wonderful as this.
About the practice
rak architecture is a multi-award-winning architectural practice based in Dorset, specialising in sustainable low-carbon design, contemporary residential architecture and the sensitive adaptation of historic and listed buildings. We work closely with clients, consultants and contractors to create thoughtful, beautifully crafted buildings that are sustainable, enduring and deeply connected to their setting.
rak architecture was established by Robert Keefe in May 2013. Before embarking on an architectural career, Robert trained and worked as a sculptor for a number of years. This still influences his enthusiasm for 'making', material, and detail in every aspect of work in the practice.
Sustainability
Sustainability underpins our approach to all projects. We integrate carbon modelling throughout the design development process, allowing environmental performance and embodied carbon to inform key design decisions from the earliest stages. From concept through to completion, we are keen to lead every project directly, ensuring continuity, design integrity and attention to detail at every stage.
Client Testimonials
Allan & Suzy – Shire End West
Robert’s work has without doubt transformed our lives. Our brief, very simply put, was to fix all the problems with our quirky old house without losing its magic, so that we would feel joy every time we arrived home! He certainly delivered – and we appreciate it every day.
When we first met Robert we could tell at once that he was creative – his ideas, on first seeing the house, just flowed. As we talked he quickly understood how we thought of the place and how we lived. As we got to know him better we realised that he possesses quite an unusual combination of design qualities - creativity in terms of the ‘big picture’, an in-depth knowledge of materials and construction methods, and attention to detail. In fact when we reached the detailed design stage his drawings resolved virtually every constructional detail, paying particular attention to any novel features. This helped to ensure some visually pleasing intersections where different materials and surfaces meet, and the levels of detail definition were also something that our building team very much appreciated.
We wanted numerous existing problems with the house layout to be solved, for honest, textural and natural materials to be used in the refurbishment and the new build, and for the building to enhance the sense of place that already existed here.
The additional spaces Robert gave us work in the ways we’d wished for, but also in ways we hadn’t anticipated: From the connection to our garden, a snug area for winter that’s also cool and shaded from the summer sun, glimpses from the front of the building through to the sea views at the back, to a thermal efficiency that has drastically reduced our fuel consumption. In the existing house a lot of the later additions were stripped out and the revised layout and spaces now feel much better proportioned for a Victorian property with high ceilings.
Throughout the process we kept faith with Robert’s design judgement and choice of materials, and we have no regrets – the design of the new extension enhances the Listed building, but does not dominate it or jar with it. The overall result is a very well balanced design and an extraordinary visual transformation of the house from every angle. It’s as if it has breathed a sigh of relief at last!
Tim & Tessa – Glenholme
From the outset, RAK responded thoughtfully and intelligently to the brief. Understanding that we wanted a practical home for family living, whilst being connected to its surroundings.
The planning process presented significant challenges. He consistently found solutions that respected both the planning constraints and the integrity of the design, never compromising on quality or vision.
The quality of the finished project and the attention to detail throughout are exceptional. Every material, junction and finish feels carefully considered.
There is a quiet confidence to the design — nothing feels overworked, yet every element contributes to the overall atmosphere of the house. Rak’s attention to craftsmanship and proportion is evident in every room.
The house has a wonderful sense of calm and light, and there are moments throughout the day where the relationship between the interior spaces and the surrounding landscape feels genuinely uplifting. Be it a stormy day with the waves crashing over the harbour wall or a magnificent summers day with light flooding across the open spaces. It’s just a wonderful place to be. We often have to pinch ourselves when taking it all in.
Rak has designed a home that delivered. Funnily enough it’s the details where RAK pushed us to be brave that have bought us the most pleasure. We are enormously grateful for his vision, perseverance and care, and the result is a family home that we will enjoy for many years to come.
Sustainability
Our Aproach
We believe the best architecture emerges from a close dialogue between client, context and craft. Our approach is design-led and highly collaborative, grounded in careful listening, rigorous analysis and a deep understanding of place. Every project is shaped by its landscape, history and the people who will inhabit it. Our design process combines hand sketching, in-house physical model making and detailed digital modelling to test ideas, refine spatial quality and communicate design intent with clarity.
