Founded in 2006 by 3rd-generation architect Pereen d’Avoine, Russian For Fish was born initially as a means of entering an architecture competition (which the practice won), and has since gone from strength to strength. 2025 marks the 10 year anniversary of the current partnership between Pereen and co-director Nilesh Shah – a significant milestone for the pair.
Russian For Fish offers a full range of architectural and interior design services, overseeing every element of client projects for new-builds, complete ceiling-to-gable renovations, extension additions, kitchen transformations, and interior fit-out. Working mostly with clients across the capital and throughout the South-East, the firm is renowned for its unique approach to colour, materials, structure, and architectural detail.
With increased demand for sustainable building applications, Russian For Fish is well positioned as a business which has always encouraged clients to improve the performance of existing housing stock (currently accounting for around 20% of the UK’s CO2 emissions), and to refurbish rather than demolish. They pride themselves on working with local contractors and fabricators, utilising eco-friendly materials and techniques.
Sandford is delighted to be working the practice at such an important time in its development.
Speaking on the collaboration, founder and co-director Pereen d’Avoire comments:
“We’re thrilled to be working with Katherine and the team. We’re about to hit an important milestone for the business – celebrating ten years of my partnership with the wonderful Nilesh in 2025, and it’s the perfect time for us to promote the work we’ve been doing and to tell our story in a way that we’ve never really done. Sandford is an excellent fit, having worked in this industry for many years. We see our main point of difference in the industry as offering quietly extraordinary designs, focusing on architectural detail and materiality, and truly tailored to the client. We like to think there isn’t really a ‘Russian For Fish look’; instead, we listen and collaborate closely with each client individually and focus on their aesthetic and practical requirements. We work with sustainable surfaces and practices wherever possible. We often work with local craftsmen on our projects, introducing clients to new production methods and solutions not often implemented elsewhere in the sector.
We’re known particularly for our extension work, which creates functional spaces for families filled with natural light.
We have completed lots of projects that we’re incredibly proud of. We look forward to sharing them, and cementing our reputation for homes that balance architectural beauty, with playfulness, practicality and function.”
About Russian For Fish
About Pereen d’Avoine (BSc Hons DipARCH ARB RIBA)
Pereen brings a unique personal history and perspective to her work. Coming from a lineage of architects within the family (her father continues to work in the industry, and her grandfather was also a practicing architect), she has always been immersed in the discipline. Having graduated from UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture, Pereen worked with several practices in London and Mumbai before founding Russian For Fish in 2006. Education is an important part of her work alongside her work with Nilesh at Russian For Fish. Her teaching history is extensive, having been a visiting critic at the University of Greenwich, the Bartlett, and the University of Cambridge; she has also taught architecture at Oxford Brookes, Kingston and London Metropolitan Universities and lectured on interior design at the University of Kent. She continues to teach, spending two days a week lecturing at the AA, where she works alongside her father – offering another unique element to the business.
About Nilesh Mahendra Shah (BArch Hons DipARCH MArch ARB)
Nilesh’s background in the industry includes work in practices specialising in commercial, education, healthcare and residential projects – along with two previous stints at Russian For Fish – before settling at the firm as co-director in 2015. He originally studied the subject at Edinburgh College of Art, and subsequently completed his mastersat the University of Edinburgh. Bringing a keen ability as a problem-solver to the business, he works closely with Pereen on projects to ensure every design decision is thoughtfully considered. His wideranging experience includes working on both public and private buildings, bespoke furniture design, complex full-scale renovations, and site redevelopments. He prides himself on his attention to detail, and ability for turning pipe dreams into practical realities.