We believe that timeless, humane and beautifully crafted architecture expresses the indivisibility of space, fabric, structure and services. We believe that the best buildings reveal their beauty and utility over time. We address with conviction urban place-making, genuine functionality and believe that truly long-lasting architecture is underpinned by our pioneering expertise in sustainability.
Our portfolio of projects is deliberately diverse across a wide range of sectors, scales and complexities in both the public and private sector. The variety and potential of cross-fertilisation of ideas between typologies generates a creative stimulus that we enjoy. Whilst being generalists, we have acknowledged specialist expertise in a number of areas such as workplace, arts/culture, education, masterplanning and sustainability.
Sustainable Architecture is Good Architecture
Far from environmental concerns sitting in conflict with good architecture, our view is that good architecture and sustainable architecture are synonymous. Early projects such as PowerGen and Wessex Water established new benchmarks for sustainable buildings. Brighton Library, New Street Square and Elizabeth II Court began to demonstrate that high levels of sustainability could be achieved in urban and refurbishment projects. More recently, 5 Pancras Square has acted as an exemplar for urban and highly economical sustainability, with a BREEAM Rating of 97.6%, the highest ever at the time of completion. 11-21 Canal Reach is continuing in that vein, pushing the boundaries of embodied energy and well-being.
Our Objective Design Approach
Our design approach combines practical common sense, a wealth of experience and a commitment to post-occupancy evaluation. Project deliverables that are supported by hard data, rather than mere aspiration. This has resulted in a series of completed buildings that work and deliver ground-breaking levels of environmental performance. Underpinning such an approach, we are Building Use Studies Partners, Trustees of the Usable Buildings Trust and Rab Bennetts wrote the forward to the Soft Landings Framework.
Our Own Impacts
We also take our own impact as an organisation seriously. As well as the buildings we design, this places a high level of importance on our long-term environmental, social and economic sustainability as a business, which includes our internal and external relationships, ethical behaviour and professionalism. To these ends, we were a founding member of the UK Green Building Council. In 2014 we became the first architects in the world to report our impacts using the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative G.4) Guidelines. Then following this, in 2018, we became the first SME in the UK and first architecture practice in the world to commit to approved Science Based Targets.
In September 2016, the total shareholding of Bennetts Associates was transferred to an Employee Ownership Trust, a significant landmark in the development of the practice. This move aimed to safeguard the future of the practice by consolidating the values and attitudes that had informed its development over the 30 years since its inception. The move to Employee Ownership ensures that the fundamental ethos of the practice is protected for future generations, and that the company will continue to be run in the best interests of its employees.
Everyone Directors Associate Directors Associates
Bennetts Associates’ major projects have all been recognised for the quality of their design in awards, press coverage and exhibitions. Amongst over 150 awards won by the firm to date, a number stand out:
Importantly, these awards recognise not only design quality, but also wider issues such as sustainability, construction, delivery and industry collaboration.
Year
Project
Description
2011
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
View Project
Shortlisted
2005
Central Library and Jubilee Street Development, Brighton
View Project
Shortlisted
1998
Richard Attenborough Centre for Disability and the Arts, University of Leicester
View Project
Shortlisted
Year
Project
Description
2018
Shaftesbury Theatre, London
View Project
RIBA London Award
2018
Shaftesbury Theatre, London
View Project
RIBA National Award
2018
Storyhouse, Chester
View Project
RIBA National Award
2018
Storyhouse, Chester
View Project
RIBA North West Award
2017
40 Chancery Lane
View Project
RIBA London Award
2017
40 Chancery Lane
View Project
RIBA National Award
2016
Private House, Cumbria
View Project
RIBA National Award
2016
Private House, Cumbria
View Project
RIBA North West Award
2015
5 Pancras Square, King's Cross, London
View Project
RIBA London Regional Award
2015
5 Pancras Square, King's Cross, London
View Project
RIBA London Sustainability Award
2012
Mint Hotel Tower of London
View Project
RIBA Award
2011
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
View Project
RIBA Client of the Year Award
2011
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
View Project
RIBA Award
2009
The Potterrow Development, University of Edinburgh
View Project
RIBA Award
2009
New Street Square, City of London
View Project
RIBA Award
2005
Central Library and Jubilee Street Development, Brighton
View Project
RIBA Award
2004
Mint Hotel Westminster
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RIBA Award
2003
Hampstead Theatre
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RIBA Award
2003
Bennetts Associates London Studio
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RIBA Award
2001
Wessex Water Operations Centre, Bath
View Project
RIBA Award
2000
BT Headquarters, Edinburgh Park
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RIBA Award
1998
Richard Attenborough Centre for Disability and the Arts, University of Leicester
View Project
RIBA Award
1997
John Menzies, Edinburgh Park
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RIBA Award
1996
PowerGen Headquarters, Coventry
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RIBA Award
1991
Imperium, Reading
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RIBA National Award
1991
Imperium, Reading
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RIBA Regional Award
Year
Project
Description
2008
The Potterrow Development, University of Edinburgh
View Project
Best Building in Scotland
Year
Project
Description
2015
5 Pancras Square, King's Cross, London
View Project
Winner
2005
Central Library and Jubilee Street Development, Brighton
View Project
Winner
Year
Project
Description
2017
Storyhouse, Chester
View Project
Refurbishment Project of the Year
2016
Shaftesbury Theatre, London
View Project
Small Project of the Year (up to £5m)
2016
Bennetts Associates
Architectural Practice of the Year
2015
5 Pancras Square, King's Cross, London
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Sustainability Project of the Year
2011
Bennetts Associates
Architectural Practice of the Year
2011
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
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Project of the Year
2008
New Street Square, City of London
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Sustainable Development of the Year
2006
Bennetts Associates
Practice of the Year
1996
Bennetts Associates
Up-and-coming Practice of the Year
Year
Project
Description
2009
Elizabeth II Court, Winchester
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Sustainable Project of the Year
2009
Rab Bennetts
Sustainability Leader of the Year
Year
Project
Description
2016
Bennetts Associates
Office Architect of the Year
2011
Bennetts Associates
Refurbishment Architect of the Year
2005
Bennetts Associates
The Feilden Architect of the Year
2005
Bennetts Associates
Public Building Architect of the Year
2001
Wessex Water Operations Centre, Bath
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Building of the Year
Year
Project
Description
2018
Storyhouse, Chester
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Winner
2018
Storyhouse, Chester
View Project
Special Award for Community Impact and Engagement
2017
Shaftesbury Theatre
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Winner
2016
5 Pancras Square
View Project
Commendation
2014
St Antony's College, University of Oxford
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Winner
2012
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
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Winner
2010
The Potterrow Development, University of Edinburgh
View Project
Winner
2009
New Street Square, City of London
View Project
Winner
2007
Central Library and Jubilee Street Development, Brighton
View Project
Winner
2003
Loch Lomond Gateway and Orientation Centre
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Winner
2003
Wessex Water Operations Centre, Bath
View Project
Winner
Year
Project
Description
2016
Shaftesbury Theatre
View Project
Winner, Culture & Community category
2013
Bennetts Associates London Studio
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Winner, Office Interiors category
Year
Project
Description
2016
5 Pancras Square, King's Cross
View Project
BREEAM Mixed Use and Other Buildings Award
2015
5 Pancras Square, King's Cross
View Project
BREEAM Outstanding
2008
The Suttie Centre, Aberdeen
View Project
BREEAM Bespoke
Year
Project
Description
2015
5 Pancras Square, King's Cross, London
View Project
Impact award, Built Environment category
Year
Project
Description
2018
Storyhouse
View Project
Highly Commended, 'Community Benefit' category, North-West Region
2015
5 Pancras Square, King's Cross, London
View Project
Winner, Commercial category
2014
St Antony's College, University of Oxford
View Project
Winner, Commercial category
2010
Elizabeth II Court, Winchester
View Project
Winner, Sustainability category
2009
The Potterrow Development, University of Edinburgh
View Project
Project of the Year
2009
The Potterrow Development, University of Edinburgh
View Project
Winner, Sustainability category
2002
Wessex Water Operations Centre, Bath
View Project
Low Energy Award
Year
Project
Description
2011
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
View Project
Cultural Buildings Award
Year
Project
Description
2010
Elizabeth II Court, Winchester
View Project
Winner, Commercial Building category
Year
Project
Description
2016
Bennetts Associates
AJ100 New Member of the Year
Year
Project
Description
2015
5 Pancras Square, King's Cross, London
View Project
Best Practice Award
2015
5 Pancras Square, King's Cross, London
View Project
Health and Safety Award
2011
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
View Project
Major Building Project of the Year
2005
Central Library and Jubilee Street Development, Brighton
View Project
Building Project of the Year
2001
Wessex Water Operations Centre, Bath
View Project
Building Award
Year
Project
Description
2010
Elizabeth II Court, Winchester
View Project
Winner, Refurbished/Recycled Workplace Above 2000 m²
2009
The Potterrow Development, University of Edinburgh
View Project
National Corporate Workplace Award
2000
BT Headquarters, Edinburgh Park
View Project
Winner, Corporate Workplace (Scotland region)
1996
Imperium, Reading
View Project
Best Out-of-Town Office Building
Year
Project
Description
2015
5 Pancras Square, King's Cross, London
View Project
Sustainable Project of the Year
Year
Project
Description
2011
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
View Project
Regional winner
2010
Elizabeth II Court, Winchester
View Project
Winner, Legacy (Sustainability) category
Year
Project
Description
2008
New Street Square, City of London
View Project
City Office Development of the Year
Year
Project
Description
2009
The Potterrow Development, University of Edinburgh
View Project
Winner, Public Building category
2009
The Potterrow Development, University of Edinburgh
View Project
Chairman’s Award for Architecture
2002
Loch Lomond Gateway and Orientation Centre
View Project
Best Public Project
2001
Rab Bennetts
Scottish Architect of the Year
2000
BT Headquarters, Edinburgh Park
View Project
Chairman’s Award for Architecture
2000
BT Headquarters, Edinburgh Park
View Project
Corporate Building Award
Year
Project
Description
2015
Bennetts Associates
Bronze Award
Year
Project
Description
2012
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
View Project
Architecture Honor Award
Year
Project
Description
2017
Storyhouse, Chester
View Project
Winner, 'Leisure or Entertainment Venue' category
2011
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
View Project
Winner, 'Leisure or Entertainment Venue' category
2001
Wessex Water Operations Centre, Bath
View Project
Best Large Office
Year
Project
Description
2005
Central Library and Jubilee Street Development, Brighton
View Project
Major Project of the Year
Year
Project
Description
2011
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
View Project
Highly Commended, Geotechnical / Geoenvironmental UK Project over £1M
Year
Project
Description
2009
New Street Square, City of London
View Project
Major Project of the Year
2005
Central Library and Jubilee Street Development, Brighton
View Project
Major Project of the Year
Year
Project
Description
2017
Storyhouse, Chester
View Project
Winner, 'Public Building' category
1995
PowerGen Headquarters, Coventry
View Project
Engineering Application Award
Year
Project
Description
2018
Storyhouse
View Project
Winner, 'Best Change of Use of an Existing Building' category
2015
5 Pancras Square, King's Cross, London
View Project
Best inclusive building, London region
Year
Project
Description
2011
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
View Project
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award
Year
Project
Description
2011
Mint Hotel Tower of London
View Project
Winner, sustainability category
2003
Mint Hotel Westminster
View Project
Best Hotel
Year
Project
Description
2005
Mint Hotel Westminster
View Project
Hotel of the year - Group category
Our partnerships take many forms, from our active involvement with industry groups and select charities to memberships with key organisations in the built environment and those allied to the sectors in which we work.Below is a representative list of these associations.
Architects Benevolent Society
Architecture Fringe
Article 25
Association of British Theatre Technicians
Association of Consultant Architects
British Council for Offices
BUS Methodology
City Property Association
Edinburgh Architectural Association
Employee Ownership Association
Get it Right Initiative
Hampstead Theatre
Higher Education Design Quality Forum
Islington Sustainable Energy Partnership
Knowledge Quarter
London Festival of Architecture
Midtown Business Club
New London Architecture
Royal Incorporation for Architects in Scotland
Royal Institute of British Architects
Sadler’s Wells Theatre
Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust
The Cockburn Association
The Islington Society
The Old Vic Theatre
The Theatres Trust
UK Green Building Council
Westminster Property Association
