Purcell tops World Architecture 100 List for Heritage for fourth year running

The annual survey by Building Design magazine ranks the world’s largest architecture firms across various categories, based on practice size and project breadth. Our extensive expertise in preserving and reimagining historic buildings has earned us accolades across the industry, solidifying our reputation. 

The listing acknowledged our success in the public, prime residential, and culture sectors, also celebrating milestones including the successful launch of our guidance on RAAC and the shortlisting of the National Portrait Gallery transformation (with Jamie Fobert Architects) for the RIBA Stirling Prize. 

Purcell Chairman Liz Smith commented ‘As the climate emergency gathers pace, reusing our existing buildings is more crucial than ever. Purcell remains a global leader in the field. Our creative conservation and adaptive design for heritage buildings and places continues to be recognised on the world stage, ranking us No 1 for Heritage in the World Architecture 100 list once more. 

The practice’s priorities continue to focus on championing decarbonisation and adaptive reuse, addressing the global heritage skills shortage and enabling inclusion and diversity in our sector. Initiatives such as the Purcell Conservation School, and our committed engagement with education partners and charitable foundations will benefit our sector and empower our global team of over 300 in the coming year. With social conscience at the forefront of all that we do, together we are reimagining heritage in new ways, sustainably designing places where people can belong.’ 

Main image: Auckland Castle interior, winner of RIBA North East Building of the Year and RIBA North East Conservation Awards 2024, photographed by Paul White