About
We are a renowned team of architects, heritage consultants, and master planners, recognized for our exceptional work.
Our approach involves a deep understanding of context, place, and people, allowing us to create sustainable solutions.
As the world's largest team of heritage specialists, we unlock the potential of historic places, combining conservation expertise with innovative design.
For over 75 years, we have been assisting clients in caring for and enhancing their buildings and landscapes, recognizing that the future of our built heritage depends on its ability to adapt to a changing world.
Architecture
Buildings have a profound impact on our lives and accommodate a wide range of experiences. Whether working in various settings, we take the time to listen and comprehend our clients' aspirations, responding to the unique character and purpose of each place.
Design as a Process, not just an Outcome From new constructions and infill projects to interventions and repairs, we collaborate closely with clients and stakeholders to craft buildings and spaces that surpass expectations, creating well-crafted, well-utilized, and beloved places.
Ely Cathedral roof and Cardigan Castle Purcell opened our eyes to the possibilities and gave us confidence to refuse to take no for an answer.
— Joff Timms, The Cadwgan Trust
Delivering for You
With our extensive experience spanning 75 years, we understand the inevitability of constant change and the importance of evolution. We have set the standard for best practices and have influenced policies and standards in the field. Leveraging this expertise, we maximize value for our clients.
Using Technology, Ancient and Modern Comprehending the processes behind construction is crucial to understanding how to repair, restore, or redesign modern equivalents. As designers, we employ a wide range of craft-based and digital techniques, equally comfortable working with stonemasons and chisels, traditional paper and pens, digital design tools, and BIM.
Boston Manor House using visualizations to check restoration progress, sketching for stained glass window designs at Purcell's Conservation School at Canterbury Cathedral, our BIM model of Elizabeth Tower, Palace of Westminster
We take pride in being an Employee-Owned Trust and winners of Building Design's Employer of the Year award in 2022. We continuously strive to be the best team of heritage and conservation experts we can be, assuming responsibility for our projects and their impact on the planet and society.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to conscious inclusion throughout our business, considering it more than just an initiative.
We foster a culture where diversity is valued and respected, creating an environment where the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our employees are shared and celebrated. As employee-owners, we all have a voice. Our global teams consist of over 24 nationalities, and our gender ratio stands at 51:49 female:male, with a 43% female Board.
We are dedicated to creating an equitable environment, supporting neurodiverse employees and those who require additional well-being support or practical flexibility, equipment, and adjustments. As of 2021, 79% of our employees believe our workplace is inclusive.
Wellbeing & Benefits
We recognize the importance of mental health and overall wellbeing, alongside physical health, acknowledging the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our employees.
Our mental health policy establishes a studio-wide network of mental health first aiders, known as our 'Purcell Pals,' and provides a toolkit of resources. This includes an Employee Assistance Program with resources for line managers to support mental fitness, as well as resilience training to equip employees with tools for their mental health. We promote agile, flexible, and hybrid working arrangements, recognizing the significance of work-life balance. Wellbeing will always be a primary focus, understanding the challenges faced by all practices in the construction industry.
In addition to supporting agile, flexible, and hybrid working, our benefits package includes increasing annual leave with long service, life assurance, a company pension scheme, enhanced parental leave, study sponsorship with paid study leave, sabbaticals, an employee assistance program, season ticket loans, a cycle to work scheme, subscription fees, a company day out, and a volunteering scheme.
Purcell's Conservation School at Canterbury Cathedral Learning and Development As a team of specialists and experts, we cultivate and support a blended learning environment, offering programs such as our Classical Design Program (including a study trip to Rome), Conservation School (held in Canterbury this year), and Leadership Development. We facilitate knowledge sharing through our Toolkits, Heritage Building Series, and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) sessions.
We are proud to invest significantly in a comprehensive training and development program, providing architectural, heritage, and professional sponsorship and development, as well as supporting individuals through apprenticeships.
Purcell Classical Drawing School in Rome and a Purcell Day Out Making a Difference Together, we can achieve remarkable things. One of our core values is "TEAM - together we can achieve great things," not only within local communities but also among ourselves.
The annual Purcell Awards serve as a platform for peer recognition, celebrating achievements of all sizes and at all levels, including the "making a difference" award.
We collaborate with local charities to support talent accelerator programs, education initiatives, and social mobility charities. We offer mentoring and apprenticeships, working with organizations like PlanBee, Shape My City, and Future Frontiers. In 2022, we launched our Volunteering scheme, committing to support 1875 hours of volunteering time per year. Our studios regularly organize coffee mornings, bake-offs, and events to raise funds for different charities chosen by the teams each year.
We believe that a person's future should not be determined by their background, empowering our employees to make a positive impact.
Purcell team running a workshop with children for Shape My City in Bristol with Creative Youth Network, working with the local community for Claremont in East Sussex to transform derelict buildings into gallery and studio spaces designed for people with complex support needs
Employee Ownership With 75 years of practice, we have learned that a one-size-fits-all approach is incompatible with a progressive business that values the success and well-being of its people. This philosophy guided our transition to Employee Ownership in 2021, a process that has proven consistently positive, yielding immediate strategic and financial benefits. By involving all employees in dialogues and decision-making, the transition has enabled us to better respond to the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crises.
Bermondsey Square, Bermondsey Sq., London, England SE1 3UN, United Kingdom
BS3 4AQ, Bristol, Bristol, England, United Kingdom
CB5 8AB, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, United Kingdom
CF11 6BH, Cardiff, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
CO3 3JH, Colchester, Essex, England, United Kingdom
M1 6FQ, Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom
182 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne Victoria 3002, Australia
Queen Street, Norwich, NR2 4SG, United Kingdom
Gloucester Green, Gloucester St, Oxford, England OX1 2BU, United Kingdom
388 George Street, Sydney Central Business District New South Wales 2000, Australia
Bishopthorpe Road, York, YO23 1LF, United Kingdom
Monday
09:00 - 18:00
Tuesday
09:00 - 18:00
Wednesday
09:00 - 18:00
Thursday
09:00 - 18:00
Friday
09:00 - 18:00
Saturday
N/A
Sunday
N/A
08/11/2024 14:07 local time
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