The decision to build Richards House in 1953 was a reluctant one, for the Board of Governors was worried that, should there be another depression, there would not be enough boarders to fill it.   The architect, Heathcote Helmore, was asked to draw up alternative plans, with either two and three floors.  The choice of the former was made and by mid-1956 it was ready for occupation.

1998-99 saw the addition of the third floor, to the specifications of Sir Miles Warren and further alterations during 2000 saw the addition of the Old Boys’ Theatre between the House and the Quadrangle.

The House was named after Reginald James Richards, twelfth Headmaster of Christ’s College. Richards had come to College in 1906 as a 13 year old Entrance scholar and left in 1912 having been Head Prefect for two years. In his final year at College he won both a University National Scholarship  and  the Ormsby medal.

The Richards House symbol is the lion rampant.