Architects, Masterplanners, Heritage Consultants
Historic Houses & Estates
As creative custodians, we balance conservation and thoughtful design to secure the future of historic homes and estates.
We are trusted custodians of heritage and creative partners for today.
Purcell is an international practice of Architects, Masterplanners, and Heritage Consultants. Since 1947, we have been leading exemplary projects to protect, enhance and evolve the world’s most significant historic places and listed buildings. Our specialist teams have extensive knowledge and experience of maximising opportunities to renew and redevelop heritage assets of all scales and complexities, from internationally important World Heritage Sites and Grade I-listed historic houses to country houses and rural estates in private ownership.
Whether our clients wish to refurbish their country house to meet contemporary lifestyle requirements, extend existing buildings, or obtain consent for significant new buildings, we are highly experienced in negotiating with local planning authorities, Historic England and other heritage organisations, to secure planning permission and listed building consent for proposed changes. We are passionate about design quality at all scales, whether developing a masterplan for a rural estate or remodelling a country house or farm buildings to suit family needs, we strive to create beautiful homes that celebrate great design, craftsmanship, and detail while being practical for everyday life.
Owing to the confidential nature of our work for private clients, we include only a few examples of our work in this brochure. We can present a wider selection of our most ambitious transformational designs at a private consultation.
Theo Manzaroli Partner & Head of Residential Sector at Purcell
Key services
Architecture & Design
New build, infill, intervention, repair. We work with our clients and their stakeholders to craft buildings and spaces that exceed their expectations, and to create places that are well-made, well-used and well-loved.
Building Surveying
Each heritage building is unique. Our dedicated surveying team deliver focused, client-centred survey services that align with your priorities.
Heritage Consultancy
With expertise across a breadth of heritage types from archaeological assets to 20th century buildings, we combine rigorous research with thoughtful analysis to find collaborative solutions for our clients’ evolving needs.
Sustainability & Decarbonisation
Heritage buildings are one of our most powerful assets in the constant struggle against climate change and biodiversity loss. Our approach is understanding the past in order to project forward into the future in the most positive way.
Conservation Architecture
We understand the necessity of evolution. We set the benchmark of best practice, and helped shape policy and standards. We use this expertise to maximise value.
Masterplanning & Estate Strategy
Our masterplans focus on envisioning a site’s sustainable future in a changing world. Through strategic thinking and close collaboration with our clients, we define and lead practical and realisable plans to achieve these goals.
Regulatory Compliance & Approvals
Understanding place forms the foundation of everything we do. Purcell is ranked number one for heritage in the World Architecture 100: a testament to our knowledge and capabilities working with listed buildings.
Project Leadership & Collaboration
We lead complex projects through collaborative working, bringing together clients, stakeholders and specialist teams to deliver successful outcomes from inception to completion.
Conservation Excellence
Inspired by a deep understanding of context, we craft the identity of the unique places in which we work by cherishing their heritage.
Understanding place forms the foundation of everything we do. By understanding why a place is important, our specialists enable clients to unlock the potential of their heritage sites. Reshaping and reusing our built heritage is vital to creating a more sustainable future and contributing to healthy, beautiful places.
We work with a broad range of clients, from homeowners and estates to local authorities and custodians of cultural and historic sites. We help them better understand their properties and undertake sensitive change to achieve successful and sustainable places. We work closely with Historic England and planning and conservation officers to gain complex statutory consents for work to listed buildings and historic places in the most sensitive contexts including Scheduled Monuments, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and National Parks and Historic Parks and Gardens.
Our in-depth knowledge of and enthusiasm for the built environment enable us to set out the potential and value of heritage sites whilst conserving and enhancing their significance. This understanding allows us to provide expert and bespoke advice that inspires creativity and enables the best of the past to be retained, made useable in the present and continue into the future.
We pioneer a conservation-led approach that celebrates our past and responsibly considers the legacy we will leave for future generations.
Oxburgh
Hall Norfolk, UK
Raising the roof to secure the future
Purcell was architect and lead designer for the ambitious Raise the Roof project at Oxburgh Hall – the largest conservation effort in the building’s history.
The £6m conservation programme across the Grade I listed building saw critical repairs carried out to the 15th century hall’s roof, chimneys, windows and medieval gatehouse facade, all while remaining open to the public. Alongside our work for the National Trust, we have also acted for the Bedingfeld family on a range of conservation and improvement projects within their private residential accommodation at Oxburgh Hall.
The restoration completed in 2023, securing the future of this iconic National Trust property for generations to come. In 2024, our Heritage Consultancy team prepared a new Conservation Management Plan and gazetteer, strengthening the long-term stewardship of the gardens and wider historic landscape.
AWARDS
RICS East: Heritage Won 2024
Civic Trust Awards: AABC Conservation Award Highly Commended 2024
AJ Architecture Awards: Refurbishment
Building Awards: Restoration Project of the Year
Shortlisted 2024
Shortlisted 2024
“We are grateful for the depth of heritage knowledge, experience and expertise that Purcell brought to this complex and unique Grade I listed building to safeguard its future for the many thousands of National Trust members and visitors who enjoy Oxburgh Hall throughout the year.”
DAVID WHITE, NATIONAL TRUST PROJECT MANAGER
14
dormer windows meticulously rebuilt
27
historic brick chimneys conserved
14,000
roof slates carefully replaced
Stowe House Buckinghamshire, UK
Shaping a historic home for today’s school and tomorrow’s visitors
One of the finest 18th century classical buildings in Europe, Purcell has been leading a phased multi-million pound Strategic Restoration programme at Grade I listed Stowe House, Buckinghamshire for over 25 years.
Since leading the site masterplan, we have delivered successive phases that restore and modernise key spaces - including the library, music rooms, dining hall, as well as major external fabric repairs - ensuring the house can effectively function as a school and visitor destination.
Our exemplary conservation and maintenance work to the stonework façades and historic lead roofs has won numerous international awards, safeguarding the future of this classical masterpiece and enabling its removal from the Historic England Heritage At Risk register.
“This project is the zenith of over 20 years of magnificent restoration.”
ANDREW FANE OBE, CHAIR, STOWE HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST
AWARDS
The Georgian Group Architectural Award
Won 2023
The Georgian Society Award Won 2021
The Georgian Group Awards: Outstanding Achievement
Won 2012
Country Life: Restoration of the Century Won 2010
RIBA South Won 2007
“Purcell has been intimately engaged throughout this very complex and challenging programme. Their skills and expertise may best be judged through the growing list of outcomes which are I suggest simply world-class.”
ANDREW FANE
OBE, CHAIR, STOWE HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST
The Auckland Project Bishop Auckland, County Durham, UK
Art, faith, and heritage safeguarded through restoration
Purcell, in collaboration with Níall McLaughlin Architects, was appointed as architect and design team lead for the transformation of Auckland Castle, a 900-year-old, Grade I listed episcopal palace in County Durham. The project forms the centrepiece of The Auckland Project’s long-term vision to drive social, economic and cultural regeneration in Bishop Auckland.
The private residence of the powerful bishops of Durham for nearly a millennium, Auckland Castle had become disconnected from the community. The Auckland Project sought to reverse this legacy by opening the castle and its extraordinary collection to the public, creating a space for faith and heritage that would engage both locals and visitors.
Auckland Castle has an exceptionally high heritage significance. As a result, the development required a meticulous process of statutory consultation and consents. Purcell led the project through a detailed appraisal of the development’s heritage assets to understand their significance and capacity for change.
“Purcell deserves praise for its seemingly effortless incorporation of a fully accessible visitor route –not to be underestimated in a listed building with a warren of internal levels at play.”
RIBA AWARD JUDGES
“We’re immensely proud that this magnificent site will finally be known as Auckland Palace, and we are excited for more people to discover the role that Auckland Palace has played in Britain’s history. Where once this was a palace just for the Prince Bishops, now everyone can come to explore the magnificent rooms, wander through the gardens, admire art or attend an event.
Who knows what the next 900 years will have in store?”
EDWARD PERRY, CEO, THE AUCKLAND PROJECT
Knole Estate Kent, UK
Conservation of a former royal palace
Originally an archbishop’s palace, then a royal residence, Knole has been home to the Sackville family for over 400 years. In 1946, the estate was gifted to the National Trust and opened to the public, while the Sackville-West family retained the private apartments and much of the surrounding parkland.
Purcell has been the commissioned architect for all work at Knole since 1993, delivering a continuous programme of repair and conservation works for the National Trust across the public areas of the estate, while also acting separately for the Sackville-West family on works to their private residential accommodation.
Various parts of the house have been re-roofed and major repair projects have been undertaken in the Orangery and Long Gallery. The house has been largely re-wired, with conservation heating added to display rooms. Comprehensive fire detection, alarm and lightning conductor systems have also been installed, as well as a major programme of work to reorder and repair the family’s private apartments.
Transformation & Reuse
By championing innovation rooted in heritage, Purcell helps historic houses and estates thrive for generations.
As one of few practices dedicated both to the care and development of historic places and the creation of innovative new buildings in sensitive contexts, we understand that heritage assets must adapt and change to meet contemporary lifestyles and to remain sustainable. Purcell helps historic houses adapt with integrity, ensuring they remain viable and meaningful in the present as well as the future.
Our in-house specialists in architecture, heritage consultancy, surveying, sustainability, masterplanning and regulatory compliance work as one team, allowing us to understand each site’s unique history, condition, performance and potential. All of our projects start with gaining a deep understanding of the place and context alongside understanding our clients’ preferences, needs and aspirations for their home or historic building. Confident and experienced with both traditional and contemporary design solutions, our proposals are always bespoke, unique and tailored.
We see ourselves as creative stewards, balancing continuity with evolution. Working holistically helps our clients navigate statutory processes, develop long-term strategies, future-proof their buildings, manage risk and make targeted, informed decisions. Whether safeguarding a treasure house, revitalising a private home or planning long-term estate evolution, our approach supports care today and strengthens legacy for tomorrow.
Boston Manor House London, UK
Resurrecting a Jacobean gem
Boston Manor is an extraordinary Grade I listed Jacobean house in the London Borough of Hounslow, rescued through a £5.7m National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England funded project led by Purcell as architects and lead consultants. Following extensive community consultation through early stages to define a spatial brief, our project delivered extensive conservation repairs to remove the house from the Heritage at Risk Register, and fully restored historic interiors to exemplary standards.
Our designs carefully integrated a passenger lift into a former privy shaft within the house with a rooftop extension, designed a new visitor café, and created exhibition galleries to provide a sustainable and fully inclusive community cultural resource for the London Borough of Hounslow - one of the most culturally and economically diverse boroughs in London. Our designs transformed the Victorian service wing into lettable office and education accommodation for creative industry business start-ups, bringing a longterm sustainable income and new audiences to this unique historic place.
AWARDS
AJ Architecture Awards: Heritage Won 2024
Civic Trust Awards: AABC Conservation Award Won 2023
RICS Awards: Heritage Shortlisted 2022 Georgian Group Awards Commended 2022
“There is so much to celebrate about the restoration of Boston Manor House to its former glory in 2023, when the house celebrates its 400th anniversary. I would like to thank Purcell, as well as all the dedicated craftspeople and the Council’s heritage team, who have worked tirelessly to bring the restoration project to life.
There have been so many incredible achievements, from the house being removed from Historic England’s Heritage At Risk Register in 2022, to the project accredited at the Civic Trust AABC Conservation Awards, which recognises the highest standards of historic building conservation across the UK.”
CLLR SHANTANU RAJAWAT, LEADER, HOUNSLOW COUNCIL
Burghley House Lincolnshire, UK
A holistic masterplan for an engaging and connected visitor experience
Burghley House is a masterpiece of Elizabethan architecture — a grand 16th century English country house which stands tall in Stamford, Lincolnshire. Built and designed by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, the house is still lived in by the Cecil family. Purcell was commissioned to design a masterplan for site, with a focus on improving the visitor experience of the house, grounds and garden, as well as to lead the conservation and restoration of the Lion Bridge, to ensure its preservation for the next 100+ years.
The purpose of our masterplan is to take the long-term view on how to improve the visitor experience of Burghley, including transforming underutilised buildings and planning a careful and considered route throughout the estate to better manage visitor flow.
Hotham Hall York, UK
From country house to thriving destination
Hotham Hall is a Grade II* listed country house dating from the 18th century, which has seen a series of later additions and alterations since. Purcell was appointed to lead the restoration of the house and surrounding landscape as part of a wider heritage-led regeneration masterplan. The proposals seek to enhance visitor facilities and support the client’s ambition to create a resilient and sustainable estate for future generations to enjoy.
Hospitalfield House Arbroath, UK
Securing the next chapter of a historic arts campus for future generations
The site was initially a 12th century hospital built by the monks who ran Arbroath Abbey. Today, Hospitalfield offers opportunities for artists from all disciplines, through their residency programme under the guardianship of the Hospitalfield Trust. The Trust’s core mission, delivered alongside the care of an impressive collection, archive, expansive gardens and public café, is to foster artistic talent, sharing knowledge and insight at a wide-reaching international scale.
Purcell is delivering a programme of conservation repair, refurbishment, reordering and re-servicing works to the house as part of Phase four of a ten-year masterplan developed by Caruso St John. The works are being undertaken alongside the creation of a new collections centre designed by Caruso St John.
Haigh Hall Wigan, UK
A carefully considered balance between conservation and change
Set within 250 acres of public parkland and woodland, Purcell has developed a comprehensive masterplan for the Haigh Hall estate. Proposals are centred on conserving its historic character while enhancing its role as a vibrant and accessible community destination. The approved proposals, supported by a £20m Levelling Up Fund grant, place heritage and community use at their core, reimagining the 18th century hall as a multi-functional space for a wide range of visitors.
Alongside these new uses, the scheme includes essential conservation and repair works to address long-standing maintenance issues and to secure the building’s future.
The Future of Historic Houses
Adapting old buildings for new uses, extending, modernising and making them accessible and socially relevant has
a new urgency as we face up to the impacts of
climate change.
Our approach has always been one of creative custodianship - learning from the rich history of the buildings we work with and innovatively imagining ways to ensure their long-term enjoyment, accessibility and functionality for future generations.
Heritage buildings are one of our most powerful assets in the constant struggle against climate change and biodiversity loss. By preserving and prolonging the life of our existing buildings, we are protecting our natural resources by making use of what we have.
We strongly believe heritage buildings should not be seen as a barrier to a sustainable and equitable future. In recognition of this, we have been at the forefront of delivering pioneering research and guidance for energy efficiency retrofits in heritage buildings. We co-authored the Historic England Handbook on Energy Efficiency Measures in Traditional and Historic Buildings, and our collaborative work with the City of London Corporation has culminated in an open-source Heritage Building Retrofit Toolkit, launched in March 2024. Working with many clients facing the challenges of decarbonising their complex estates, we take a whole building approach, one which ensures heritage values are balanced against the urgent need for climate adaptation.
Ledston Hall Leeds, UK
Conservation and sustainable innovation to rescue a stately home
Purcell developed an initial strategic plan and subsequently delivered a phased programme of conservation, which included extensive fabric repairs, sensitive extensions, and interior adaptations to create luxury residential homes and private function spaces, all while preserving historic features. The restoration and conservation repairs, which led to the removal of both the Grade I listed hall and the Grade II* listed gate piers from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register, have secured a sustainable future for Ledston Hall.
The design adopted a conservation-led approach, underpinned by an innovative sustainability strategy. Notably, Ledston Hall became the first Grade I listed building in the UK to receive Listed building consent for the replacement of its historic windows. This landmark approval demonstrates that progressive energy-saving measures can be successfully integrated with the conservation of heritage assets.
Borde Hill West Sussex, UK
A long-term vision for heritage, hospitality and growth
We are working with the owners of a private family estate in West Sussex to develop a long-term vision for the future of the site. At its centre is a Grade II listed Elizabethan mansion set within historic gardens and parkland.
Our work has explored opportunities to enhance the estate’s visitor offer while safeguarding its heritage significance and continued private ownership. As part of the wider masterplan, we are leading the adaptation of the historic stable buildings to create a new visitor restaurant centred around a contemporary steel and glass pavilion.
Leonardslee House West Sussex, UK
Breathing new life into a treasured historic estate
Purcell is appointed as retained architects and heritage consultants at Leonardslee, providing heritage input and advice across a variety of development projects around the estate. These include the restoration of former estate buildings and the introduction of further visitor facilities and amenities, including a new ticket kiosk and new food and beverage offers.
Masterplan proposals deliver sensitive fabric repair programmes and refurbishment proposals in phases to repurpose and replace outdated structures, creating additional highquality commercial, lettable, function event spaces and visitor facilities. We have also produced an overarching heritage statement for the site and secured listed building consent for the scheme.
Chatsworth Derbyshire, UK
Shaping the future of Chatsworth
Purcell is working at Chatsworth as architects and heritage consultants, designing and delivering various conservation projects to historic and listed buildings across this extraordinary Grade I listed Estate. This includes funding appeals to National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England for work to the 17th century Queen Mary’s Bower and the incredible waterworks around the pleasure gardens.
Our work has included production of a comprehensive Conservation Management Plan and pioneering Heritage Asset Management Toolkit informing strategic definition and prioritisation of conservation over a 20-year horizon.
Windsor Castle UK
Windsor Castle’s renewed splendour
From RIBA Stages 0-1 through to opening in 2020, Purcell led the multi-million pound Future Programme scheme at this extremely significant Grade I listed Scheduled Monument, working closely with our clients at the Royal Household and the Royal Collection Trust.
Purcell’s central role as architects for this substantial programme of improvements has delivered a major upgrade to the State Apartments at Windsor Castle, significantly enhancing visitor facilities and accessibility while bringing renewed clarity to the architectural route through these magnificent rooms.
“This outstanding programme of improvement will increase everyone’s understanding of the Castle and all that it represents as part of the nation’s history, and their enjoyment of the spectacular works of art from the Royal Collection.”
DR MARGARETTE LINCOLN, (NOW FORMER) DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH
“Purcell is among the best heritage architects in the industry. We’ve had the pleasure of working with them over the past four years on a complex Grade II-listed site in Hampshire, including a registered park and garden. Their creative design work and deep historical insight were pivotal in securing planning permission, balancing landscape response with heritage sensitivity.
Throughout delivery, they’ve collaborated seamlessly and harmoniously with a world class consultant team—unafraid to challenge where needed. For any future project of historical significance and complexity, we would involve Purcell without hesitation. They’re a credit to the profession and a genuine pleasure to work with.”
CARL BIGNELL, OUTLAND
LONDON & SOUTH-EAST
Theo Manzaroli Partner, Head of Residential
BA (Hons) DipArch RIBA
theo.manzaroli@purcelluk.com
+44 (0) 20 7397 7171
+44 (0) 7957 484 631
LONDON & SOUTH-EAST
Katharine Barber Heritage Consultancy Partner
BA (Hons) Mst MCIfA
katharine.barber@purcelluk.com
+44 (0) 207 397 7171
+44 (0) 7887 475 675
LONDON & SOUTH-EAST
Charles Bain Smith Head of Surveying
RIBA SCA
charles.bainsmith@purcelluk.com
+44 (0) 20 7397 7171
+44 (0) 7483 351 007
NORTH
Tom Brigden Partner
BSc MArch PhD MBA RIBA AABC
tom.brigden@purcelluk.com
+44 (0) 161 300 7747
+44 (0) 7467 147 856
WEST
Fiona Lauchlan Partner
BSc BArch (Hons) RIBA
fiona.lauchlan@purcelluk.com
+44 (0) 117 910 1060
+44 (0) 7583 091 126
LONDON & SOUTH-EAST
Neil McLaughlin Associate Partner
BSc (Hons) MArch PGDip RIAS RIBA SCA AABC
neil.mclaughlin@purcelluk.com
+44 (0) 20 7397 7171
+44 (0) 7485 926 140
LONDON & SOUTH-EAST
Laura Baron Head of Sustainability
SC (Hons) MArch DipArch ARB RIBA
laura.baron@purcelluk.com
+44 (0) 207 397 7171
EAST
Nicola Whetstone Associate Partner
BSc (Hons) MArch PGDip RIAS RIBA SCA
nicola.whetstone@purcelluk.com
+44 (0) 1223 357 057
+44 (0) 7484 003 912
ASIA PACIFIC
Tracey Skovronek Managing Director, Asia Pacific
BA (Hons) BArch (Hons) DipPPM RIBA
tracey.skovronek@purcellau.com
+61 (0) 426 047 474
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Studio
info@purcelluk.com
+44 (0) 20 7379 7171
purcellarchitecture.com
Purcell is an international practice of architects, masterplanners, and heritage consultants. Since 1947, we have been leading exemplary projects to protect, enhance, and evolve the world’s most significant historic places and listed buildings. Inspired by a deep understanding of context, we craft the identity of the unique places in which we work by cherishing their heritage. Today we are a team of over 350 in studios across the UK and Asia Pacific.
With a spirit that is genuinely innovative and collaborative, we are focused on planet-positive design, championing adaptive reuse of our existing built environment over new construction. We pioneer a conservation-led approach that celebrates our past and responsibly considers the legacy we will leave for future generations. Reimagining heritage in new ways, we work to facilitate positive change for our clients, communities, and wider society by shaping vital, inclusive, and joyful spaces where people can belong.
As the world’s largest team of heritage specialists, Purcell has an outstanding reputation defining conservation management plans and conservation and restoration strategies, and delivering multiple award-winning conservation repair, creative design, and sustainable reinvention projects to listed buildings and historic places around the world. Projects include some of the UK’s most significant visitor attractions, royal palaces, country house estates and castles and ruins across the UK and beyond.
We are proud to be a Certified B Corporation®, ranked No.1 for Heritage in the World Architecture 100, and recognised for creating places that celebrate heritage while making space for new stories to unfold.