Purcell (architects)


Purcell is an architectural design practice with 13 regional studios in the UK and three studios in Asia Pacific.
Previously named Purcell Miller Tritton, the practice rebranded as Purcell in 2012. In May 2019, it became a Limited Company.
The practice is the UK’s 8th largest practice according to the AJ100 in 2017 and ranked 88 in the World Architecture 100 in 2017.

History

In 1947, Donovan Purcell set up a small practice in Bury St Edmunds. Working on church and army buildings for many years, Purcell developed his expertise in conservation and in 1960 was appointed Surveyor to the Fabric of Ely Cathedral.
In 1965, Purcell partnered with architects Peter Miller and William “Bill” Tritton and the practice of Purcell, Miller and Tritton was established. Three years later, the partnership registered with offices in Bethel Street, Norwich and Sydney Street, London.
Over the years, the practice set up studios across the UK to provide strong regional coverage. The practice has grown considerably since its rebrand to Purcell in 2012, opening studios in Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham. Purcell acquired Worcester-based architect S T Walker and Duckham in 2015 and merged with Norfolk-based practice Reynolds Jury Architecture in 2016.
Internationally, the practice established its first studio in Hong Kong in 2009 and has developed its coverage in Asia Pacific with heritage consultancy teams in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia.
As of 2017, Purcell has UK studios in Bristol, Cambridge, Canterbury, Cardiff, Colchester, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London, Manchester, North Wales, Norwich, Oxford and York. In March 2017, the practice, which had grown to over 300 people by 2016, was looking to make a number of redundancies; CEO Mark Goldspink said: " is currently undergoing a review of its people requirements to support the long-term development of the business."
Notable employees of Purcell have included Corinne Bennett.

Services

The practice offers design services, masterplanning, heritage consultancy, conservation expertise, funding advice and planning advice. It has worked on many UK listed buildings.
Purcell works across eight sectors: cultural, education, hospitality, places of worship, public, residential, transport, and workplace and retail.

Projects

Purcell has worked on notable public and private buildings in the UK and internationally including:
YearProjectAward
2008Kew PalaceRICS National Museums & Heritage Award for Excellence; RICS Conservation Award
2010Arnos Vale CemeteryRIBA South West Town and Country Design Awards: Conservation Award
2010Stowe House, Marble SaloonCountry Life Restoration of the Century
2010The Hyde, Dillington HouseRIBA Award
2010Wentworth Castle & Stainborough ParkCountry Life Restoration of the Century Award
2011Leighton House MuseumRIBA London Arts & Leisure Award
2011No. 1 Smithery, Chatham Historic DockyardRIBA South/South East Award
2012Ballyfin HotelRICS Project of the Year Award
2012Florence InstituteIHBC North West Award for Conservation
2012Leighton House MuseumEuropa Nostra Conservation Award
2012National Maritime Museum, Sammy Ofer WingRIBA London Award
2012No.1 Smithery, Chatham Historic DockyardRICS Award
2012St Paul's Cathedral, LondonRIBA English Heritage Award for Conservation; RIBA London Award
2012Stowe HouseGeorgian Group/EH Special Award for Outstanding Achievement
2012Tudor House MuseumRICS South East Project of the Year Award; RICS South East Building Conservation Award
2013Florence InstituteRICS National Building Conservation Award; RIBA North West Conservation Award; RIBA North West Award; RICS North West Building Conservation Award; Civic Trust Award Community Recognition
2014Ballyfin HotelInternational Hotel & Property Awards, Best Suite
2014Centre of Refurbishment ExcellenceRIBA West Midlands Sustainability Award; RIBA West Midlands Award
2014Coworth Park SpaInternational Hotel & Property Awards, Best Spa
2014Creative Arts Building, City CollegeCivic Trust Award
2014Penarth Pier PavilionRICS Project of the Year; RICS Wales Community Benefit Award; Pier of the Year
2015Black GateRICS North East Building Conservation Award
2015Hexham AbbeyRICS North East Tourism and Leisure
2015King's State Apartments, Kensington PalaceRICS London Building Conservation Award
2015Oxford University Museum of Natural HistoryCivic Trust Awards, AABC Conservation Award
2016Base Court, Hampton Court PalaceRICS London Building Conservation Award; RICS London Building of the Year Award
2016Cardigan CastleRSAW Welsh Architecture Award; RSAW Conservation Award
2016Waddesdon Bequest Gallery, British MuseumRIBA London Award
2017Aerospace BristolWorld Architecture Festival: Completed Buildings
2017Cardigan CastleChannel 4 Restoration of the Year
2017Cromford MillsEU Prize for Cultural Heritage
2018Aerospace BristolRICS South West Awards 2018: Leisure & Tourism Award and Project of the Year
2018Canterbury Cathedral Great South WindowRICS South East Awards 2018: Building Conservation Award
2018Delapre AbbeyRICS East Midlands Awards 2018: Conservation Award, Tourism and Leisure Award
2018Durham Cathedral Open TreasureRIBA National Award for Cultural Buildings, RIBA North East Building of the Year, RIBA North East Regional Award, RIBA North East Conservation Award
2018St Fagans National Museum of HistoryRICS Wales Awards 2018: Tourism and Leisure Award
2018Yr YsgwrnRICS Wales Awards 2018: Building Conservation Award, RSAW Welsh Architecture of the Year Award, Conservation Award, Project Architect of the Year, Building of the Year