An employee-owned UK architecture, masterplanning and heritage practice that has worked since 1947 to sustainably enhance significant buildings.
Purcell describes itself as a team of architects, masterplanners and heritage consultants. Its work centres on conservation, which means looking after old buildings, and on giving existing significant buildings new life in a sustainable way. It works across culture, public buildings, education, housing, hospitality, commercial, infrastructure and faith buildings. Projects named on its own site include the National Portrait Gallery, the restoration of the Elizabeth Tower in London, which received a 2026 Europa Nostra Award, 66 Portland Place, which is the Grade II* listed headquarters of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and the Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts in Hong Kong.
The site says Purcell has worked since 1947 to sustainably enhance significant buildings. We could not find a founder's name or a longer history on the pages we read. Its approach, in its words, rests on an understanding of shared heritage, drawing inspiration from the qualities of each place and designing responsibly for future generations.
Purcell's pages list UK job locations including London, Manchester and Canterbury, and Cambridge, which suggests a network of studios around England, though we did not confirm a full office list. The practice also has teams overseas, including a Heritage Asia Pacific business, so some work is international. Its work on well-known UK buildings means its teams regularly work with public bodies, charities and private owners. Its UK website also shows an employee-owned badge, and an earlier news item describes a move from an LLP to a limited company as part of its journey to employee ownership.
People named on the site include Elizabeth (Liz) Smith as chairperson, Lydia Kan as partner and Laura Baron as head of sustainability. This shows that sustainability is a leadership topic in the firm. Employee ownership is the firm's own description of its structure; it means staff hold a stake in the company.
The roles at a practice like this include architects, heritage consultants who research the history and importance of a building, masterplanners, sustainability specialists, and support staff. A student who likes history, art, geography, design or maths can find a path here, since conserving a building needs both history and building know-how. Vacancies appear on the practice's website for different cities, including architects at several levels.
Website: purcellarchitecture.com
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