van Heyningen and Haward Architects was established in 1983. The practice has since designed a large variety of public and private buildings within historic and present-day contexts.
Recurring themes for the practice are university buildings, offices, libraries, schools, acoustically driven buildings, such as auditoria, as well as museums, art galleries, visitor centres, transportation projects and housing. The practice has undertaken masterplanning studies for local authorities and universities.
Projects are based on close client collaboration. The design process is considered a valuable time to engage with clients in a way that ensures all projects result in buildings that best respond to the client's requirements.