ORA Architects Dunfermline firm, Fife architecture practice, Scottish architectural studio news

ORA Architects Dunfermline News

30 September 2025

Dunfermline Architects Celebrate National Award As Business Booms

ORA Architects – Dunfermline Architecture Office Award News

Dunfermline-based practice, ORA Architects, has been named Best Architect at the Scotland’s Home Improvement Awards 2025, recognising their industry leading expertise in residential design across Scotland.

Delivering a range of projects over the past 12 months, including homes in Starleyburn, Strathkinness and Blairgowrie, ORA Architects delivers design-led spaces that combine sustainability and energy efficiency, with practical living.

Known for taking a holistic approach from concept to completion, the ORA team also specialises in working with traditionally built homes, to preserve the rich architectural heritage of Scotland and England.

A growth in residential projects over the past year has seen ORA expand its team and increase turnover by 11%. The studio recently moved into a new office in Dunfermline, keen to maintain a local presence while serving clients across the UK.

“While our projects span the UK, many focus on residential design right here in Fife,” said Senior Partner David Tibbs. “From the initial concept, through detailed plans and building oversight, our team works closely with homeowners to bring their vision to life. Our base here remains important to us, as does the team of talented local people who make this work possible. This award recognises the value we place on thoughtful, community-focused design in the places where people live.”

Founded in the early 1970s as Oliver and Robb Architects, the firm rebranded as ORA in 2024 to reflect its modern, design-led approach. Today, it works across residential, heritage, and care projects. Many team members have come through local colleges and universities, and the firm continues to contribute to regional development.

With approximately 90% of its work coming from repeat clients and ongoing recruitment in areas such as conservation and sustainable design, ORA expects to grow by a further 10% next year.

“This has been a year of real momentum,” Tibbs added. “We’re excited for what lies ahead, and proud to be building that future from right here in Dunfermline.”

The Scotland’s Home Improvement Awards celebrate excellence across the construction and design industry, recognising the very best in architecture, innovation, and service delivery.

To find out more about the awards, visit: homeimprovementawards.co.uk

To find out more about ORA, visit: oliverandrobb.co.uk

ORA Architects Dunfermline

About ORA

ORA Architects is a Dunfermline-based, award-winning architectural practice with over 50 years of experience in the construction industry. Formerly known as Oliver and Robb Architects, the firm rebranded to ORA in 2024 to reflect its evolution into a contemporary, design-led studio.

The team offers a broad range of services, including architecture, urban design, planning, landscape architecture, 3D visualisation, BIM, and drone surveys. Known for its creative, client-focused approach, ORA works across residential, commercial, public sector, and conservation projects through Scotland and the UK.

With a long-standing commitment to sustainability, ORA has been a pioneer of Passivhaus design in Scotland for over 15 years, delivering the UK’s first rented Passivhaus social home. This ethos continues to shape its work across bespoke residential, commercial, and healthcare developments.

ORA Architects Practice Growth

ORA Architects Reports Strong Business Growth As Care Sector Demand Rises

ORA Architects has reported significant uplift in business performance, growing its turnover by 11% in 2024/25, as the long-standing design and architecture practice strengthens its foothold across the UK’s care sector.

The Fife-based firm, which has delivered projects across the UK for over 50 years, is also now expanding its team of architects with conservation and Passivhaus expertise. Moving into new headquarters in February this year, the transition reflects a commitment to service excellence and a thriving workplace culture that fosters collaboration – supporting growing demand and a projected 10% growth in the year ahead.

ORA currently employs 10 staff, with expertise spanning care, education, residential and civic design. The established practice is known for its bespoke care home design work, an area seeing increasing demand and urgency.

Demand for high-quality care provision continues to rise across the UK. In England alone, over 400,000 people now live in care homes, supported by a network of more than 15,000 registered providers . With an ageing population and rising acuity of need, the sector is facing mounting pressure to deliver not just more beds, but better ones. In Scotland, similar challenges persist – including a notable drop in the number of adult care homes over the past decade, despite increasing complexity of care.

In response, ORA has delivered several high-profile care schemes combining clinical performance with human-centred design across the UK. This includes Red Kite Meadows in Central Bedfordshire, a landmark Passivhaus-standard development of a 72-bed care home, 88 independent living apartments and short-break facilities. The studio has also designed Home of Compassion in Surrey, reimagining a listed building as a luxury care environment for the Caring Homes Group.

The uplift in turnover follows a period of strategic transition, following the retirement of the firm’s former Senior Partner in March 2024. ORA’s client base is made up of almost 90% repeat customers, reflecting its personalised and client-led approach to each project.

Senior Partner David Tibbs said: “The demand for well-designed care spaces has never been higher – and not just more beds, but better ones. It’s about creating environments where residents can feel dignity and comfort, where staff can work effectively, and where buildings are built to last. We’re proud to be part of that change.

“It’s been a year of real momentum for us. We’ve taken stock, refocused and come out stronger, with the work to show for it. I think clients can see that we’re not about one size fits all designs or sticking to a set style. Whether we’re working on a heritage restoration or a cutting-edge Passivhaus care home, we build each team and each brief from scratch. That’s helped us grow steadily without compromising on quality.”

ORA continues to focus on projects across Scotland’s Central Belt, with growing activity in the west and north. Recent work includes collaborations with several local authorities and private care operators, as well as education and civic buildings. With a clear pipeline and recruitment underway, the firm is positioning itself for another year of steady, purposeful growth.

For more information visit: https://oliverandrobb.co.uk

ORA Architects Dunfermline, Fife architecture practice images / information received 300925

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