| RANK | ENTRY | BEST FOR | SCORE | FROM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Studio BarkDeveloped U-Build, an innovative modular timber building system that empowers people to construct their own homes. | Eco-friendly residential self-builds and low-energy homes | 95.0 | Custom |
| 2 |  Feilden FowlesOperates from a self-designed studio in Waterloo constructed with a low-carbon timber frame. | Public cultural buildings and educational institutions | 92.7 | Custom |
| 3 |  Architecture InitiativeRenowned for pioneering the use of digital tools to foster community engagement during the planning phase. | Commercial workspace innovation and civic masterplanning | 90.3 | Custom |
| 4 |  Bpr ArchitectsHas a long-standing history of designing complex rail and underground station upgrades across London. | Transport-oriented developments and campus masterplanning | 88.0 | Custom |
| 5 |  Mikhail RichesWon the prestigious Stirling Prize for Goldsmith Street, a pioneering council housing development in Norwich. | Large-scale sustainable housing and local authority developments | 85.7 | Custom |
| 6 |  ColladoCollinsDelivered several landmark tall buildings that have contributed to the changing London skyline. | Hotel design and mixed-use urban towers | 83.3 | Custom |
| 7 |  Maccreanor LavingtonCombines British contextual sensitivity with Dutch urban planning methodologies. | European-style urban housing blocks and neighborhood masterplans | 81.0 | Custom |
| 8 |  GroupworkFounded by Amin Taha, the practice gained fame for challenging traditional building regulations with load-bearing stone architecture. | Striking contemporary urban infill and structural innovation | 78.7 | Custom |
| 9 |  AHMMAHMM won the prestigious Stirling Prize in 2015 for Burntwood School. | Large-scale urban regeneration and public buildings | 76.3 | Custom |
| 10 |  Stanton WilliamsStanton Williams won the RIBA Stirling Prize for the Sainsbury Laboratory in Cambridge. | Cultural, higher education and public realm projects | 74.0 | Custom |
CURATED · UPDATED HOW WE RANK → | ||||
Start from what you need it for. Where each entry fits best:
Each entry's full verdict is below.
An award-winning architectural practice focused on sustainable design, experimental construction techniques, and ecological housing.
A design-led architectural studio delivering projects across education, culture, heritage, and the arts.
A creative practice focused on urban regeneration, civic spaces, workspaces, and educational facilities.
An established studio specialising in transport infrastructure, higher education, and residential sectors.
An architectural practice best known for pioneering Passivhaus social housing and residential masterplans.
A design-focused architectural practice working across residential, hotel, and mixed-use sectors.
An architecture and urbanism practice with offices in London and Rotterdam, specialising in housing and masterplanning.
An innovative architectural firm known for using stone as a structural material and pushing engineering boundaries.
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris is a design-led architecture firm known for creating buildings that are well-used, well-made and joyful.
An architectural practice creating places of human quality with a profound sensitivity to their context and the use of natural materials.
One payment for one, two or three years, nothing recurring. From $99 a year.
Tell us about your company and we will reply by email.
Review their portfolio to ensure they have relevant experience in your specific sector, such as residential, commercial, or public. Meet with the team to assess communication styles, and verify whether they are comfortable managing your budget and timeline.
Most independent architects charge either a percentage of the total construction cost, usually ranging between 8 and 15 percent, or agree on a fixed fee broken down by project stages from initial design to completion.
No, you do not need planning permission in place before hiring an architect. In fact, most clients hire architects precisely to navigate the planning permission and building regulations process on their behalf.