van Heyningen and Haward Architects
Architectural practice
London, United Kingdom
van Heyningen and Haward Architects is a London practice working on new buildings and the adaptation of historic places. Its Leicester Cathedral project included the design and coordination of the tomb of King Richard III.
- Location
- United Kingdom
- Discipline
- Architecture | Conservation | Memorials | Furniture
- Material
- Limestone | Alabaster
- Services
- Memorials | Conservation planning | Stone furniture
- Website
- vhh.co.uk
Contact through the official website
Profile Gallery

Leicester Cathedral — High Altar — detail
A carved cross within a circle marks the polished Fauld alabaster top, above textured gilded Kilkenny limestone strips and richly veined alabaster panels. Its disciplines include Architecture, Furniture, Masonry, and Architectural carving. Related services include Stone furniture, Architectural ornaments, and Sacred sculpture.
Designed by van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Stonework by James Elliott. Carved by Jonathan Hedge.
Source & credits
Altar design and project coordination: James McCosh and colleagues at van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Technical stonework consultancy, altar and plinth fabrication, site assembly and integration of the carved and inlaid elements: James Elliott. Carving: Jonathan Hedge. Gilding: Croxford and Saunders. Photograph: Carlo Draisci. | Used with permission | Source | Altar project — van Heyningen and Haward Architects

Tomb of King Richard III — tomb design
A pale Swaledale Fossil limestone tomb chest has a deeply cut cross above a dark Kilkenny stone plinth, with carved lettering and an inlaid pietra dura coat of arms. Its disciplines include Memorials, Architecture, Masonry, and Stone marquetry. Related services include Memorials, Inscriptions, Stone inlay, and Heraldry.
Designed by van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Stonework by James Elliott. Lettering by Gary Breeze, Stuart Buckle. Pietra dura by Thomas Greenaway.
2015 | Leicester Cathedral
Source & credits
Tomb design and project coordination: James McCosh and colleagues at van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Technical stonework consultancy, tomb and plinth fabrication, site assembly and integration of the carved and inlaid elements: James Elliott. Pietra dura coat of arms: Thomas Greenaway. Lettering and decorative motifs: designed and carved by Gary Breeze, with carving assistance from Stuart Buckle. Photograph: Carlo Draisci. | Used with permission | Source | Project credits — van Heyningen and Haward Architects

Leicester Cathedral — High Altar — in worship
This view shows the Fauld alabaster altar in use during worship, with its angular front, gilded edging and raised Ancaster and Kilkenny limestone base. Its disciplines include Architecture, Furniture, Masonry, Stone carving, and Architectural carving. Related services include Stone furniture, Architectural ornaments, and Sacred sculpture.
Designed by van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Stonework by James Elliott. Carved by Jonathan Hedge.
Source & credits
Altar design and project coordination: James McCosh and colleagues at van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Technical stonework consultancy, altar and plinth fabrication, site assembly and integration of the carved and inlaid elements: James Elliott. Carving: Jonathan Hedge. Gilding: Croxford and Saunders. Photograph: Carlo Draisci. | Used with permission | Source | Altar project — van Heyningen and Haward Architects

Tomb of King Richard III — tomb design — side view
This side view shows the tomb’s elongated Swaledale Fossil limestone chest, the cross cut down its side and the RICHARD III inscription on the dark Kilkenny stone plinth. Its disciplines include Memorials, Lettering, Architecture, Masonry, and Stone marquetry. Related services include Memorials, Stone inlay, and Heraldry.
Designed by van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Stonework by James Elliott. Lettering by Gary Breeze, Stuart Buckle. Pietra dura by Thomas Greenaway.
2015 | Leicester Cathedral
Source & credits
Tomb design and project coordination: James McCosh and colleagues at van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Technical stonework consultancy, tomb and plinth fabrication, site assembly and integration of the carved and inlaid elements: James Elliott. Pietra dura coat of arms: Thomas Greenaway. Lettering and decorative motifs: designed and carved by Gary Breeze, with carving assistance from Stuart Buckle. Photograph: Carlo Draisci. | Used with permission | Source | Project credits — van Heyningen and Haward Architects

Tomb of King Richard III — tomb design — end view
This end view looks along the deep cross cut into the fossil-marked limestone chest, above the plinth’s inlaid coat of arms and carved motto. Its disciplines include Memorials, Lettering, Architecture, Masonry, and Stone marquetry. Related services include Memorials, Inscriptions, Stone inlay, and Heraldry.
Designed by van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Stonework by James Elliott. Lettering by Gary Breeze, Stuart Buckle. Pietra dura by Thomas Greenaway.
2015 | Leicester Cathedral
Source & credits
Tomb design and project coordination: James McCosh and colleagues at van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Technical stonework consultancy, tomb and plinth fabrication, site assembly and integration of the carved and inlaid elements: James Elliott. Pietra dura coat of arms: Thomas Greenaway. Lettering and decorative motifs: designed and carved by Gary Breeze, with carving assistance from Stuart Buckle. Photograph: Carlo Draisci. | Used with permission | Source | Project credits — van Heyningen and Haward Architects

Leicester Cathedral — High Altar
Richly veined Fauld alabaster panels form a movable altar edged with gilded Kilkenny limestone, standing on an Ancaster and Kilkenny limestone base and supported by an internal spaceframe. Its disciplines include Architecture, Furniture, Masonry, Stone carving, and Architectural carving. Related services include Stone furniture, Architectural ornaments, and Sacred sculpture.
Designed by van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Stonework by James Elliott. Carved by Jonathan Hedge.
Source & credits
Altar design and project coordination: James McCosh and colleagues at van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Technical stonework consultancy, altar and plinth fabrication, site assembly and integration of the carved and inlaid elements: James Elliott. Carving: Jonathan Hedge. Gilding: Croxford and Saunders. Photograph: Carlo Draisci. | Used with permission | Source | Altar project — van Heyningen and Haward Architects
Source & credits
Practice | People and project architect | Leicester Cathedral Reordering
An independent reference profile. Directory information
Tomb of King Richard III — tomb design
Tomb design and project coordination: James McCosh and colleagues at van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Technical stonework consultancy, tomb and plinth fabrication, site assembly and integration of the carved and inlaid elements: James Elliott. Pietra dura coat of arms: Thomas Greenaway. Lettering and decorative motifs: designed and carved by Gary Breeze, with carving assistance from Stuart Buckle. Photograph: Carlo Draisci. | Used with permission | Source | Project credits — van Heyningen and Haward Architects
Tomb of King Richard III — tomb design — side view
Tomb design and project coordination: James McCosh and colleagues at van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Technical stonework consultancy, tomb and plinth fabrication, site assembly and integration of the carved and inlaid elements: James Elliott. Pietra dura coat of arms: Thomas Greenaway. Lettering and decorative motifs: designed and carved by Gary Breeze, with carving assistance from Stuart Buckle. Photograph: Carlo Draisci. | Used with permission | Source | Project credits — van Heyningen and Haward Architects
Tomb of King Richard III — tomb design — end view
Tomb design and project coordination: James McCosh and colleagues at van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Technical stonework consultancy, tomb and plinth fabrication, site assembly and integration of the carved and inlaid elements: James Elliott. Pietra dura coat of arms: Thomas Greenaway. Lettering and decorative motifs: designed and carved by Gary Breeze, with carving assistance from Stuart Buckle. Photograph: Carlo Draisci. | Used with permission | Source | Project credits — van Heyningen and Haward Architects
Leicester Cathedral — High Altar
Altar design and project coordination: James McCosh and colleagues at van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Technical stonework consultancy, altar and plinth fabrication, site assembly and integration of the carved and inlaid elements: James Elliott. Carving: Jonathan Hedge. Gilding: Croxford and Saunders. Photograph: Carlo Draisci. | Used with permission | Source | Altar project — van Heyningen and Haward Architects
Leicester Cathedral — High Altar — detail
Altar design and project coordination: James McCosh and colleagues at van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Technical stonework consultancy, altar and plinth fabrication, site assembly and integration of the carved and inlaid elements: James Elliott. Carving: Jonathan Hedge. Gilding: Croxford and Saunders. Photograph: Carlo Draisci. | Used with permission | Source | Altar project — van Heyningen and Haward Architects
Leicester Cathedral — High Altar — in worship
Altar design and project coordination: James McCosh and colleagues at van Heyningen and Haward Architects. Technical stonework consultancy, altar and plinth fabrication, site assembly and integration of the carved and inlaid elements: James Elliott. Carving: Jonathan Hedge. Gilding: Croxford and Saunders. Photograph: Carlo Draisci. | Used with permission | Source | Altar project — van Heyningen and Haward Architects