London Services & Moving Here Architects

The 9 Best Architects in London (2026)

Updated October 2026 · 9 picks

The best architects in London in 2026 include Foster + Partners, RSHP, Heatherwick Studio and David Chipperfield Architects for landmark buildings, Allies and Morrison for masterplans, and Coffey Architects, Paul Archer Design, Emil Eve Architects and Alexander Martin Architects for London homes, extensions and refurbishments.

How we chose

This list mixes the practices that have shaped London's skyline with smaller studios that take on private homes. Every practice here is real, currently operating, has its own website and a London studio, and has a clear, stated focus; we read what each says it does and the kind of projects it shows. Nobody paid to be included and there are no affiliate links on this page.

We do not rank practices by awards or fees, and nothing here is professional advice.

'Architect' is a protected title in the UK: only people on the Architects Register, kept by the Architects Registration Board (ARB), may use it. Check the person who will lead your project. Many practices are also RIBA Chartered Practices, which means meeting the Royal Institute of British Architects' standards on insurance, complaints and appointments.

Most Londoners hiring an architect want a kitchen extension, a loft or a whole-house refurbishment, not a skyscraper. For that, a small residential practice is the right call; the big names are here because they shaped the city and take on major commercial and cultural work. In much of London, conservation areas and listed buildings make an architect who knows the local planning office worth their fee.

1. Foster + Partners — Battersea

Norman Foster's global practice, behind the Gherkin, the Millennium Bridge and the British Museum's Great Court.

Specialty Architecture, urbanism, engineering and designBest for Developers, cities, institutions and corporate clients

Foster + Partners is a global studio for sustainable architecture, urbanism, engineering and design, founded by Norman Foster in 1967. In London its work includes 30 St Mary Axe (the Gherkin), the Millennium Bridge and the Great Court at the British Museum, and it works on airports, stations, offices and masterplans worldwide.

It works from its Riverside studio on the Thames in Battersea, where it has been since 1990. It is a practice for major commercial, civic and cultural projects rather than a house extension.

Good to know: The Riverside studio has opened to the public during Open House London in past years; check the festival programme each September.

Riverside, 22 Hester Road, London SW11 4AN

Google Maps Website

2. RSHP — City of London (Leadenhall Street)

Richard Rogers' former practice, designers of the Lloyd's building and the Leadenhall Building, where it is based.

Specialty Architecture, masterplanning, workplace and residentialBest for Developers, institutions and public-sector clients

RSHP, formerly Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, is the practice founded by Richard Rogers. In London its work includes the Lloyd's building, the Millennium Dome and the Leadenhall Building — the 'Cheesegrater' — which is also where the practice has its studio.

It describes its aim as creating sustainable, adaptable places. Like the other big names here, it is a practice for large commercial, residential and civic schemes.

Good to know: The studio is in the Leadenhall Building, a short walk from Bank and Liverpool Street stations.

The Leadenhall Building, 122 Leadenhall Street, London EC3V 4AB

Google Maps Website

3. Heatherwick Studio — King's Cross

Thomas Heatherwick's studio, designers of Coal Drops Yard and the New Routemaster bus.

Specialty Architecture, urban spaces, infrastructure and objectsBest for Developers, cities, brands and institutions

Heatherwick Studio is a British design and architecture studio working across buildings, public spaces, masterplans, objects and infrastructure. In London its projects include Coal Drops Yard at King's Cross and the New Routemaster bus, and it designed the cauldron for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Its studio, Making House, is on Argyle Street near King's Cross. The practice takes on large, high-profile projects rather than private homes.

Good to know: See its work in person at Coal Drops Yard, a short walk from the studio.

Making House, 55 Argyle Street, London WC1H 8EE

Google Maps Website

4. David Chipperfield Architects — Fitzrovia, Soho & the West End

An international practice founded in 1985 by the 2023 Pritzker Prize winner David Chipperfield.

Specialty Cultural, civic, residential and commercial architecture, restorationBest for Museums, institutions, developers and private clients

David Chipperfield Architects is an international practice founded in 1985, with offices in London, Berlin, Milan, Shanghai and Santiago de Compostela. Its founder won the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honour, in 2023, and the practice is known for calm, carefully detailed buildings and for sensitive work on historic ones, such as the rebuilding of the Neues Museum in Berlin.

Its London studio is on Little Portland Street in Fitzrovia. It takes on cultural, civic, commercial and residential projects at a large scale.

Good to know: The London studio's contact page lists a separate email for new project enquiries.

22 Little Portland Street, London W1W 8BU

Google Maps Website

5. Allies and Morrison — Southwark, South Bank & Borough

A practice of architects and urbanists that has shaped large parts of London through masterplans and new neighbourhoods.

Specialty Architecture, masterplanning, urban design, residentialBest for Developers, councils, universities and cultural institutions

Allies and Morrison describes itself as a practice of architects and urbanists based in London, concerned with detail and the character of each place. Much of its work is large-scale: masterplans, new neighbourhoods, housing, universities and cultural buildings, in London and beyond, with further offices in Cambridge, Manchester, Dublin, Jeddah and Toronto.

Its studio is on Southwark Street, between Borough Market and Blackfriars.

Good to know: Southwark and London Bridge stations are both within walking distance of the studio.

85 Southwark Street, London SE1 0HX

Google Maps Website

6. Coffey Architects — Clerkenwell

An award-winning Clerkenwell practice designing homes, offices and public buildings around light and green space.

Specialty Residential, workplace and public buildingsBest for Private homeowners, developers and organisations

Coffey Architects is a London practice designing homes, offices and public buildings across the UK, with natural light and green space at the heart of each project. Its residential work ranges from house refurbishments and extensions to new homes.

It is a good bridge between the big names and a small local practice: design-led, but used to working with private clients on their own homes.

Good to know: Ask to see completed residential projects in a similar style of house to yours — a Victorian terrace and a mansion flat call for different skills.

104-110 Goswell Road, London EC1V 7DH

Google Maps Website

7. Paul Archer Design — Spitalfields, Shoreditch & East London

A practice that works only for individual clients on their own homes, with interiors and gardens too.

Specialty Residential architecture, interiors and garden designBest for Homeowners planning extensions, refurbishments or new houses

Paul Archer Design is an east London practice specialising in bespoke architecture, interior and garden design for individual clients and their own homes, and it marked 25 years in practice recently. Its work covers extensions, whole-house refurbishments and new houses.

Because it designs the inside and the garden as well as the building, it suits clients who want one team for the whole project.

Good to know: If you want the garden done at the same time, say so at the start; designing it with the extension usually saves money later.

Unit D 204, Lana House, 116–118 Commercial Street, London E1 6NF

Google Maps Website

8. Emil Eve Architects — Hackney, Shoreditch & East London

An award-winning east London studio known for imaginative contemporary homes and extensions.

Specialty Residential extensions, refurbishments and new homesBest for Homeowners across London

Emil Eve Architects is an award-winning studio based in east London with a focus on imaginative contemporary design. Much of its work is residential: extensions, refurbishments and remodelling of London houses and flats.

It suits homeowners who want a distinctive, design-led result rather than a standard kitchen extension.

Good to know: Visit a completed project if you can; most residential practices will arrange it with a past client.

51 Regent Studios, 8 Andrews Road, London E8 4QN

Google Maps Website

9. Alexander Martin Architects — Camden

A Camden architecture and interior design studio with long experience of London houses.

Specialty Residential architecture and interior designBest for Homeowners in north and central London

Alexander Martin Architects is a London architecture and interior design studio with considerable experience in residential projects, from extensions of Victorian houses to full refurbishments. Its studio is in the Carol Street workshops in Camden.

Because it handles interiors as well as architecture, it suits homeowners who want the building and the rooms designed together.

Good to know: Camden Town station is a few minutes' walk from the studio.

Unit 20, 43 Carol Street, London NW1 0HT

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

How much does an architect cost in London?

For homes, architects usually charge either a percentage of the construction cost — often somewhere around 10–15% for a full service on an extension or refurbishment, more for small or complex jobs — or a fixed fee for each RIBA work stage. Getting drawings to planning only costs much less than a full service through construction. Always get a written appointment that lists exactly which stages are included.

Do I need planning permission for an extension in London?

Some rear extensions and loft conversions fall under 'permitted development' and do not need full planning permission, but those rights are restricted on flats, in conservation areas and on listed buildings, which cover large parts of inner London. Your architect will advise whether you need planning permission, a lawful development certificate or listed building consent. Building Regulations approval is a separate requirement either way.

What is the Party Wall Act?

If your work affects a wall or boundary you share with a neighbour, or involves digging foundations close to their property, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 requires you to serve notice on them before work starts. If they do not consent, surveyors are appointed to agree a party wall award. It applies to most terraced and semi-detached houses in London, so build time and cost for it into your plans.

How do I check someone is a real architect?

Search their name on the ARB's Architects Register. Anyone calling themselves an architect in the UK must be registered; 'architectural designer' and 'architectural technologist' are not protected titles. Ask to see completed projects similar to yours, and speak to one or two past clients.

How long does a London house extension take?

Allow several months for design and planning — councils aim to decide householder planning applications within eight weeks of validation — then a few months on site for a typical rear extension, longer for a basement or full refurbishment. Party wall agreements and contractor tendering can run in parallel.

1. Foster + Partners — Battersea

2. RSHP — City of London (Leadenhall Street)

3. Heatherwick Studio — King's Cross

4. David Chipperfield Architects — Fitzrovia, Soho & the West End

5. Allies and Morrison — Southwark, South Bank & Borough

6. Coffey Architects — Clerkenwell

7. Paul Archer Design — Spitalfields, Shoreditch & East London

8. Emil Eve Architects — Hackney, Shoreditch & East London

9. Alexander Martin Architects — Camden

Frequently asked questions

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