# Purcell (architects)

Purcell is a British architectural design practice, founded in 1947 by Donovan Purcell. It has 11 regional studios in the UK and four studios in the Asia Pacific region.

## 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 rebranded as Purcell in 2012 and expanded, 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.
In May 2019, it became a limited company, transitioning to an employee ownership model in 2021.
As of 2022, Purcell has UK studios in Bristol, Cambridge, Canterbury, Cardiff, Colchester, Leeds, London, Manchester, Norwich, Oxford and York. The practice is the UK's 16th largest practice according to the AJ100 in 2021 and ranked 83rd in the World Architecture 100 in 2022.
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:
* Bristol Aerospace Centre, Filton Airfield
* Canterbury Cathedral
* Cardigan Castle
* CoRE (Centre of Refurbishment Excellence)
* Coworth Park Spa
* Durham Cathedral
* Flinders Street Station
* Florence Institute
* Hampton Court Palace
* Hong Kong Cricket Club
* The Hyde, Dillington House
* National Maritime Museum, Sammy Ofer Wing
* Oxford University Museum of Natural History
* Penarth Pier Pavilion
* Shackleton's Hut, Cape Royd
* The Wallace Collection, The Great Gallery
* Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts
* Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park
* National Portrait Gallery
* Renovation of Clifton Cathedral, Bristol

## Awards

| Year | Project | Award(s) |
| 2008 | World Heritage Centre, Blaenavon Industrial Landscape | Gold Medal for Architecture, National Eisteddfod of Wales |
| 2008 | Kew Palace | RICS National Museums & Heritage Award for Excellence; RICS Conservation Award |
| 2010 | Arnos Vale Cemetery | RIBA South West Town and Country Design Awards: Conservation Award |
| 2010 | Stowe House, Marble Saloon | Country Life Restoration of the Century |
| 2010 | The Hyde, Dillington House | RIBA Award |
| 2010 | Wentworth Castle & Stainborough Park | Country Life Restoration of the Century Award |
| 2011 | Leighton House Museum | RIBA London Arts & Leisure Award |
| 2011 | No. 1 Smithery, Chatham Historic Dockyard | RIBA South/South East Award |
| 2012 | Ballyfin Hotel | RICS Project of the Year Award |
| 2012 | Florence Institute | IHBC North West Award for Conservation |
| 2012 | Leighton House Museum | Europa Nostra Conservation Award |
| 2012 | National Maritime Museum, Sammy Ofer Wing | RIBA London Award |
| 2012 | No.1 Smithery, Chatham Historic Dockyard | RICS Award |
| 2012 | St Paul's Cathedral, London | RIBA English Heritage Award for Conservation; RIBA London Award |
| 2012 | Stowe House | Georgian Group/EH Special Award for Outstanding Achievement |
| 2012 | Tudor House Museum | RICS South East Project of the Year Award; RICS South East Building Conservation Award |
| 2013 | Florence Institute | RICS National Building Conservation Award; RIBA North West Conservation Award; RIBA North West Award; RICS North West Building Conservation Award; Civic Trust Award Community Recognition |
| 2014 | Ballyfin Hotel | International Hotel & Property Awards, Best Suite |
| 2014 | Centre of Refurbishment Excellence | RIBA West Midlands Sustainability Award; RIBA West Midlands Award |
| 2014 | Coworth Park Spa | International Hotel & Property Awards, Best Spa |
| 2014 | Creative Arts Building, City College | Civic Trust Award |
| 2014 | Penarth Pier Pavilion | RICS Project of the Year; RICS Wales Community Benefit Award; Pier of the Year |
| 2015 | Black Gate | RICS North East Building Conservation Award |
| 2015 | Hexham Abbey | RICS North East Tourism and Leisure |
| 2015 | King's State Apartments, Kensington Palace | RICS London Building Conservation Award |
| 2015 | Oxford University Museum of Natural History | Civic Trust Awards, AABC Conservation Award |
| 2016 | Base Court, Hampton Court Palace | RICS London Building Conservation Award; RICS London Building of the Year Award |
| 2016 | Cardigan Castle | RSAW Welsh Architecture Award; RSAW Conservation Award |
| 2016 | Waddesdon Bequest Gallery, British Museum | RIBA London Award |
| 2017 | Aerospace Bristol | World Architecture Festival: Completed Buildings (shortlisted) |
| 2017 | Cardigan Castle | Channel 4 Restoration of the Year |
| 2017 | Cromford Mills | EU Prize for Cultural Heritage |
| 2018 | Aerospace Bristol | RICS South West Awards 2018: Leisure & Tourism Award and Project of the Year |
| 2018 | Canterbury Cathedral Great South Window | RICS South East Awards 2018: Building Conservation Award |
| 2018 | Delapre Abbey | RICS East Midlands Awards 2018: Conservation Award, Tourism and Leisure Award |
| 2018 | Durham Cathedral Open Treasure | RIBA National Award for Cultural Buildings, RIBA North East Building of the Year, RIBA North East Regional Award, RIBA North East Conservation Award |
| 2018 | St Fagans National Museum of History | RICS Wales Awards 2018: Tourism and Leisure Award |
| 2018 | Yr Ysgwrn | RICS Wales Awards 2018: Building Conservation Award, RSAW (RIBA Wales) Welsh Architecture of the Year Award, Conservation Award, Project Architect of the Year, Building of the Year |