Thoughtful design.Careful conservation.Inspired outcomes.

DHVA create beautiful, tailored spaces by blending award-winning contemporary design with deep expertise in historic building conservation.

From contemporary new build work to sensitive restorations and strategic masterplanning, we shape places that endure architecturally, environmentally and for the communities they serve.

Foundations

Founded in 2005, DHVA is a Bristol-based architectural practice with a reputation for elegant, well-considered design and detailed conservation work.

Our studio grows from a collaborative culture: we combine design imagination with pragmatic delivery to produce buildings that work beautifully for their owners and their settings. We undertake projects across the South West of England and into South Wales, from domestic commissions to public heritage projects.

Elke Dittrich and Federica Vasetti reviewing project drawings in the DHVA studio

Two DHV Architects team members reviewing drawings and sketch models together

A rare combination

Most practices specialise in one side of this or the other — new-build design, or historic conservation. DHVA does both, under one roof. A listed building project benefits from the same design ambition as a new-build home, and a new-build benefits from a level of material and detail sensitivity usually reserved for heritage work.

Thepeoplebehindthepractice

Elke Dittrich, Director at DHV Architects

Elke studied architecture at the Bauhaus University, Weimar and at the Technical University, Vienna, before moving to the UK in 1999. She worked for GMW, Pringle Brandon and Architecture PLB and qualified as a UK architect at the Architectural Association in 2001.

Elke co-founded Dittrich Hudson Architects in Bristol in 2005 and has been leading and managing the practice since. Elke has won several awards for her projects. She is also a panel member of Design West.

Elke Dittrich — Director — Dip Arch ARB

Izaak Hudson, Director at DHV Architects

Izaak studied architecture at the University of Nottingham, Kingston University and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen and qualified as an architect in 2000.

Izaak is the cathedral architect for Salisbury, Truro and Llandaff cathedrals, and projects he has led have won numerous RIBA and RICS awards. He has expert conservation knowledge and a passion for design and imaginative public engagement through architectural project work. Izaak is an accredited conservation architect (AABC) and is a member of the Bristol Diocesan Advisory Committee and Bristol Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee.

Izaak Hudson — Director — Dip Arch RIBA AABC SPAB Scholar

Federica Vasetti, Director at DHV Architects

Federica studied architecture at the University of Genoa, Italy and moved to the UK in 2000. She qualified as a UK architect at the University of Bath in 2002, and worked for Stride Treglown and Acanthus Ferguson Mann Architects on large school projects and complex residential developments before co-founding DHVA in 2010.

Federica's attention to detail and a hands-on approach enable her to preserve the integrity of the initial concept through to delivery on site. Federica is a certified Passive House Designer and has a specialism in low-energy building design.

Federica Vasetti — Director — Dip Arch ARB

Oliver Forsyth, Senior Conservation Architect at DHV Architects

Oliver studied and qualified at the Welsh School of Architecture in Cardiff. He is an accredited conservation architect (AABC) with a decade of experience with historic repair projects and new interventions within historic landscapes. Oliver is inspired by historic buildings and contemporary designs in sensitive contexts.

He has a growing depth of experience in building conservation and he brings a hands-on approach when delivering projects. Oliver's calm, patience and hard-working ethos is appreciated by clients and colleagues alike.

Oliver Forsyth — Senior Conservation Architect — PG Cert AABC

21Years in practice
since 2005

DHVA offers the full RIBA menu of services, with accreditation in building conservation (AABC), Passivhaus designer certification, and membership of The Green Register.

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We had a very positive experience working with Federica on our single-storey kitchen extension. She was incredibly knowledgeable and clearly very experienced in this type of project. Federica really listened to what we wanted, as well as taking into account our budget constraints. Overall, we were really impressed and would happily recommend Federica to anyone looking for a thoughtful, skilled and reliable architect.

Gemma DosanjhKitchen Extension · Google review