Purcell - Public Sector Brochure

Public buildings Bringing public buildings to life; shaping their future through innovation and design 1

info@purcelluk.com +44 (0) 20 7379 7171 purcellarchitecture.com

© Purcell Architecture 2026 2

P UBLIC BU ILD INGS

We bring public buildings to life; shaping their future through innovation and design.

Maximising the value of existing buildings through reuse and adaptation is a priority for most public sector clients.

Purcell supports this by assessing development potential, identifying opportunities and constraints (including complex heritage or planning considerations), and delivering strategies for decarbonisation, environmental sustainability, and commercial return.

We work by understanding the context and uncovering the stories of a place, by discovering what has gone before, assessing where that place is now and imagining what it can be in the future. We are experts in stakeholder consultation and working with local communities. We can take an idea, develop it and follow it through a full cycle of a project from designing, through construction to advising on managing and maintaining the built asset.

Jo Bartle Head of Public Sector

“Purcell’s expertise in repair, reinstatement and integration of new and old, along with the unwavering client support offered throughout all stages of funding and project logistics has paid dividends.”

R I B A JU D GES

“Purcell’s understanding of our building and its setting is profound. [Their] experience in engaging with planning authorities has been invaluable.”

SI R GA BRIELE FINALD I, D IRE C TOR OF T H E N AT ION A L GA L L ERY

P UBLIC BU ILD INGS

Contents About Purcell

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Design & masterplanning

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Net zero & decarbonisation

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Accessibility & inclusivity

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Estate rationalisation

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Retrofit & adaptive reuse

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Estate management

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Social impact

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Project lifecycle

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Contact information

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PU B L IC BUI L DI N G S

About Purcell Our global reach Purcell is a specialist practice of architects, masterplanners and heritage consultants. We are one of few international practices dedicated both to the care and development of historic places and the creation of innovative new buildings in sensitive contexts.

We employ over 300 architects, conservation architects and surveyors (a significant number of these are AABC, RIBA or RICS conservation accredited), masterplanners, heritage consultants, visualisers, and support groups. We are organised around four regions in the UK and a fifth in Asia Pacific comprising Hong Kong and Australia. Our purpose is to care for and bring new life to, the historic built environment, both nationally and internationally, expanding the ways in which places are understood and enjoyed by everyone.

With an extensive background in adaptive reuse and retrofit of historic buildings and sites across a range of heritage designations, including Grade I, II* and II listings, Purcell has undertaken a broad spectrum of projects of national and regional significance. This brochure presents a selection of these projects, illustrating how our work aligns with current priorities and emerging themes within the public sector.

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HONG KONG

EDINBURGH SYDNEY MELBOURNE HOBART

Asia Pacific

YORK

North MANCHESTER

East CAMBRIDGE

West BRISTOL

NORWICH

COLCHESTER

OXFORD LONDON

London & SE

CANTERBURY

Studio map 04

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Design & masterplanning We are involved in projects from the beginning by carrying out condition surveys, conservation management plans, feasibility studies and options appraisals. All these contribute to our masterplanning process.

These are often complex where numerous threads need disentangling before the masterplan can be conceived and design begins. We are skilled at making complex problems simple and comprehensible.

Our approach is also built on achieving consensus through considerate stakeholder and community engagement, unlocking funding and revenue potential to ensure future sustainability.

Haigh Hall masterplan sketch 05

Haigh Hall photomontage showing proposed new roof terrace addition

Haigh Hall, Greater Manchester Delivering a masterplan for a much-loved park, Grade II* listed hall and visitor buildings.

The masterplan brief was developed via extensive stakeholder engagement with local residents, park users, council user groups and volunteer groups. This Heritage, Nature and People project aims to link the natural and built heritage to health and wellbeing through outdoor activities, audience development, volunteering and training.

A key aspect of the masterplan will see the transformation of Haigh Hall into a nationally significant arts, culture and heritage destination.

The eighteenth century Haigh Hall sits at the centre of 250 acres of public park and woodland. This project provides employment and training opportunities aligned with Wigan Council’s commitment to community wealth and social value.

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Net zero & decarbonisation Our carbon reduction plans create the foundation for longer term decarbonising work on existing buildings. Decarbonising may be a stand alone service or part of larger regeneration projects where adaptive reuse is the key theme.

Our in-house experts apply the latest tools, techniques and technology to increase energy efficiency, sourcing environmentally conscious materials and reducing carbon footprints.

Hull’s North End Shipyard Visitor Centre - Certified as the first UK Passivhaus museum 07

Hull Maritime Museum

Hull Maritime Museum, Hull Safeguarding Hull’s maritime history, collections and architecture while developing employment opportunities for local people.

This project is part of a city-wide cultural regeneration and placemaking programme.

To showcase and celebrate the story of the flagship trawler, our team has designed a new Passivhaus visitor centre which is the first of its kind anywhere in the UK. The work being undertaken will increase Hull’s offer to visitors and residents, refocusing the cityspace and drawing out the city’s narrative. The future of this civic building has been safeguarded for future generations.

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Accessibility & inclusivity Optimising access is the key to safeguarding buildings for future generations. We apply inclusive design techniques to ensure the public buildings we work on are accessible and welcoming to the widest and most diverse audiences.

Purcell has developed a reputation for inclusive adaptions in some of the most challenging historic and grade listed settings, including Norfolk County Hall, the Parliamentary Estate and Manchester Museum.

Norfolk County Hall - Council Chamber 09

Norfolk County Hall - Breakout space

Norfolk County Hall, Norwich Providing equal opportunity and accessibility for staff and visitors alike.

Purcell worked to reconfigure the space to provide open, flexible, and adaptable workspaces which have replaced outdated cellular offices to reflect the council’s agile working policy.

Devices such as lightweight hanging acoustic barriers define breakout areas and quiet spaces, facilitating multiple work styles and requirements.

Inappropriate visual patterns have been eliminated for the benefit of neurodiversity and important physical changes mean that all areas can be accessed and exited safely.

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Estate rationalisation Our teams are experts at identifying the potential in underutilised spaces and preparing an asset for sale or change of use. In existing buildings, space planning is a critical skill for achieving more efficient ways of working.

Disposing of assets may be the outcome of space planning tasks or buildings that are either unfit for purpose or have become redundant.

In 2017, we worked with the Ministry of Justice to prepare Reading Prison for sale on the open market.

National Gallery Accommodation Hub - Aerial view of the offices 11

National Gallery Accommodation Hub - Flexible working spaces

National Gallery Accommodation Hub, London Enhancing collaboration, communication and community among 250+ members of staff.

This rationalisation project has united departments and staff on one site for the first time and has allowed the gallery to dispose of external sites.

A new office configuration has utilised redundant and confined spaces nestled between and beneath the exhibition halls of the nation’s art collection.

The refurbishment included the conversion of two lightwells and adjacent spaces at basement and ground floor, creating eight floors over 40,000 square feet - of workspace.

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Retrofit & adaptive reuse As early proponents of the ‘retrofit first’ revolution, our portfolio illustrates exemplary reuse, adaptation and refurbishment of civic, local authority and national government buildings, demonstrating the social, economic and environmental benefits of conserving existing building stock.

Camden Town Hall - grand lobby marble staircase 13

Camden Town Hall, London - exterior and interior images

Camden Town Hall, London Accommodating a modern workforce and increasing democratic use.

Purcell’s proposals sensitively restored, refurbished and enhanced the historic town hall.

Work included the remodelling of the building to accommodate modern ways of working, with the upper floors of the building turned into lettable commercial office space.

Improved environmental efficiency, new technology and accessibility adaptations have transformed the public facilities of the building for increased civic use.

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Estate management Purcell provides estate management services. These include addressing backlog repairs through condition surveys and forward maintenance programmes.

Often requiring flexibility, discretion and minimal disruption to ongoing operations, the expertise of Purcell’s architects and surveyors is based on extensive experience of working in occupied environments. We can provide a unique balance of craft skills, innovative surveying techniques, heritage expertise (where required) and space planning experience across numerous workplace types to maximise efficiency.

Palace of Westminster, London - Shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2025 15

Elizabeth Tower - Big Ben’s clockface during restoration

The Parliamentary Estate, London Delivering multiple refurbishment projects over two decades.

Our ongoing work at the Parliamentary Estate includes the creation of additional workplaces, re-presentation of historic interiors and improving security and access measures.

Recently completed: refurbishment of the Millbank Island Site for the House of Lords, repair and refurbishment of the Elizabeth Tower, repair of the cast-iron roofs across the Palace of Westminster and the relighting of Westminster Hall.

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Social impact In our mission to be a force for good, we ensure the economic, social, and environmental impacts of our operations are positive, both as a business and to wider society.

Last year Purcell employees delivered 464 days-worth of social value (equivalent to 13 hours per fulltime employee), mostly through partnership with public organisations and local authorities.

This included educating young people through mentoring, career advice seminars, work placements, site tours and training.

We ensure those communities in which we work always benefit from the social, economic and environmental value our work brings.

Boston Manor House - State Drawing Room after restoration 17

The Jimmy Choo Academy at Boston Manor House

Boston Manor House, London Rescuing an ‘at risk’ structure and transforming it into a community asset.

Purcell’s work included the conservation and re-presentation of the house and service wing, construction of a new lift to improve accessibility and the refurbishment of the cafe and visitor facilities.

The Victorian service wing was transformed into lettable makerspaces for a local creative academy. Boston Manor can now host school visits, tours, workshops and general visitors and is a venue for talks, performances and celebrations.

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Project lifecycle

Masterplan Framework & procurement Strategic problem solving Estate rationalisation & transformation Building condition surveys Feasibility studies

Aims & objectives

Design

Funding streams Stakeholder engagement Decarbonising the Estate Inclusivity & accessibility Net zero & sustainability Social value & community Backlog repairs

Visualisation Planning & consents Retrofit & refurbishment Heritage consultancy Business case

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All programmes of work are distinct - varying in size and complexity.

• Every project needs to go through different stages • Understanding how these processes flow will reduce delay and cost • Understanding the aims and requirements is key to a successful project • Understanding the estate or buildings and surroundings will allow creative solutions to be explored

Delivery

Completion & occupation

NEC contracts Building information management Soft landings Technical delivery

Post-occupancy evaluation Estates management Lessons learnt

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“I have rarely enjoyed a project so much nor worked with such an able and positive team.”

WI LTSHIRE COU NCIL ( T ROW BRID G E TOW N H ALL, 20 2 5)

“The professionalism and creativity of Purcell’s team make the entire process smooth and enjoyable.”

CH ESHIRE EAST COU N C IL (C RE W E WARM & H E ALT H Y HO M ES , 2 0 2 5) 21

Boston Manor House, London Borough of Hounslow 22

“Purcell has been an excellent Architect and Lead Consultant throughout development and delivery stages of the Boston Manor House Project to fully restore this Grade I listed historic house.

They have brought substantial expertise, wider advisory contacts and a proactive problem-solving attitude to the project.”

LO NDON BOROU GH O F H OU N S LOW (BOSTON MAN O R HO US E, 2 0 2 5) 23

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NORTH & HEAD OF PUBLIC SECTOR

LONDON & SOUTH-EAST

EAST

Jo Bartle

Katharine Barber

Peter Buist

Deputy Regional Partner

Heritage Consultancy Partner

Regional Partner

jo.bartle@purcelluk.com +44 (0) 1904 644 001 +44 (0) 7762 268 350

BA (Hons) Mst MCIfA

peter.buist@purcelluk.com +44 (0) 1206 244 844 +44 (0) 7769 695 162

WEST

LONDON & SOUTH-EAST

WEST

Justin Metcalfe

Laura Baron

Charles Bain Smith

Regional Partner

Head of Sustainability

Head of Surveying

BA (Hons) BArch PGDip RIBA Passive House Designer

SC (Hons) MArch DipArch ARB RIBA

RIBA SCA

laura.baron@purcelluk.com +44 (0) 207 397 7171

charles.bainsmith@purcelluk.com +44 (0) 20 7397 7171 +44 (0) 7483 351 007

BA (Hons) BArch Dip AP&M RIBA

justin.metcalfe@purcelluk.com +44 (0) 1865 856 250 +44 (0) 7912 747 992

katharine.barber@purcelluk.com +44 (0) 207 397 7171 +44 (0) 7887 475 675

BA (Hons) MArch PGCert RIBA

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