Our history

Thomas Edgington had already worked on several heritage projects, the chalk pillars in Clewer St Andrews and the House of Mercy, when he decided to move his family to Windsor and founded Edgington and Son. His sons joined the practice but tragically the eldest died and Thomas the Younger was unable to be as active as necessary. Early commissions included work for the nobility and gentry including projects at Windsor Castle. One of our earliest projects was to replumb the drains at Windsor Castle.

Thomas Summerbell joined the practice to support Thomas the Younger, he married Edgington’s second daughter and for a short time the practice was known as Edgington and Summerbell. He designed and built St Mary’s, 25 St Frances Road, now a listed building.

When Summerbell retired, Herbert Spink joined the company to support Thomas the Younger, who retired in 1911. Spink fought in the 1914-18 war and Thomas came back to run the office whilst he was away. War over, she returned, and the company built a reputation for brick buildings of quality and sensitivity. Spink was fortunate to work with major commercial Clients, eager to grow their presence across the Thames Valley and London—Barclays Banks commissioned many premises, as did Courage Noakes and other Brewers, looking to establish more comfortable public houses. During Mr Spink’s 43-year tenure, Edgington and Spink designed and built over 30 pubs, many still popular today.

It was when Reginald Hyne joined the practice in 1955, that Edgingtons started to work further afield, up into Cambridgeshire and down to the South Coast. The company embraced new materials, new architectural styles and new sectors – healthcare, justice, civic, commercial, leisure, whilst still continuing to work across The Crown Estate, education, community and residential. It was also during this era that we started to win innovation and sustainability awards.

During the 60s and beyond, the practice grew and welcomed new partners—Edward Whiteley, David Curtis, Anthony Bradbury, Peter Virgo, Angus Neil and Simon Painter. All made significant contributions to the practice and to the local community. Many civic, commercial, urban and industrial projects were designed and delivered over this period, along with sensitive heritage and restoration projects.

On his death in 1967, Mr Spink’s estate amounted to £155,000 (which we understand was inherited rather than acquired through the practice of Architecture). He made a provision to the Royal Institute of British Architects to establish an award and scholarship in his wife’s name. Today, the Annie Spink Trust Fund Award of £10,000 is awarded biennially by RIBA to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the education of those involved in architecture.

Edgingtons delivered what we believe to be some of the first, passivhaus standard, social housing in the UK working with the Radian Housing Association, now part of Abri. Edgingtons Spink & Hyne Ltd was incorporated in 2012: Angus Neil was Managing Director until he retired in 2017. Richard Parsons took over the helm in 2017 and on the retirement of Simon Painter, was joined by his former colleagues, David Minnis and Alex Perry, now both Directors.

Today, trading as Edgingtons Architects, and after 170 years, as one of the longest continuous RIBA Chartered Architect Practices in the UK, we remain committed to delivering architecture that combines innovation, functionality, and lasting impact, spaces that enhance lives, strengthen communities, and respect their surroundings.

We continue to actively nurture young architects, designers and technicians to develop their craft and support the communities in which we work.

Today, as custodians of the practice’s future, we aim to honour and continue the legacy of Thomas Edgington and all who have succeeded him with responsibility and vision.