Knott Architects

What Knott Architects does

Knott Architects is a North London-based architectural and town planning partnership founded in 1994 by brothers Tom and George Knott, operating as a design-led practice with RIBA Chartered status and ARB registration. The firm delivers a full lifecycle of professional services — architecture, in-house planning consultancy (covering approvals, appeals, enforcement, permitted development, lawful development certificates, and change of use), feasibility and budget advice, technical detail design, and construction administration — for residential, retail, civic, educational, and commercial clients. The practice differentiates through George Knott's dual qualification as both Architect and Chartered Town Planner (RTPI), an integrated sustainability methodology spanning passive solar gain, green roofs, heat pumps, and rainwater harvesting, and a track record of navigating complex planning scenarios including conservation areas and listed buildings. A signature methodological capability is the 'Crouch End Breakout' extension approach, which expands space with minimal intervention by angulating form to skewed boundaries and folding back roofs to admit daylight, winning the Don't Move, Improve Best Value Award in 2019.

The firm's customer base is led by residential homeowners undertaking personal projects, with supplementary revenue from commercial clients (Karen Millen retail fit-outs across multiple UK cities, Pollard Thomas Edwards office fit-out, Barnet Borough Burnt Oak Library refurbishment, Grey Court School), and residential developers. Revenue is generated entirely through project-based professional service fees, with no disclosed pricing, subscription, or recurring revenue streams. Distribution is direct and reputation-driven: a mix of referrals, 24 consecutive years of London Open House participation, listings on RIBA Find an Architect and The Modern House, and earned media across BBC, Channel 4, Dwell, Living Etc., and RIBA Publications.

The firm has no external investors, parent company, or institutional ownership; ownership rests entirely with the founding Knott brothers and operates as a partnership (DBA: Knott Architects and Town Planners). No subsidiaries, no funding rounds, and no M&A activity are indicated. Operating geographies cover London, with some project work in Norfolk and Brighton. Headcount sits in the 11–50 firmographic band though only four team members are named (two directors, one associate, one office manager), suggesting a lean studio where each project is led by a director from inception through completion.

Name

Knott Architects

Legal name

Knott Architects

Website

https://knottarchitects.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Knott Architects is a North London-based, RIBA Chartered architectural and town planning partnership founded in 1994 by the Knott brothers, offering full-lifecycle design and in-house planning services to residential homeowners, retail brands, and community institutions across the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural and Planning Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (54141)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

Keywords

• Residential architecture
• Planning consultancy
• Sustainable building design
• Home extensions
• Architectural project management

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Architectural Services: Full-service architectural provision from initial consultation through design, planning, detail resolution, and build oversight. Professional coordination services for structural engineers, quantity surveyors, building regulations, contractors, and other design/construction professionals.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Knott Architects is a London-based architectural and town planning practice delivering award-winning, contemporary, sustainable design across residential extensions and remodelling, retail fit-outs, civic buildings, schools, and commercial offices. The practice provides a full-service offering from initial free consultation and feasibility studies through planning applications, technical detailing, construction administration, and handover, with an in-house Chartered Town Planner (RTPI) supporting planning approvals and appeals.

Product overview

Knott Architects is a North London architectural practice offering a comprehensive suite of architectural and design services. The core offering consists of Architecture Services, Planning Consultancy (in-house), Professional Coordination/Project Management, Design Services, Detail/Technical Design, and Build/Construction Management. Additional services include Interior Design, Kitchen Design, Bathroom Design, Lighting Design, Furniture Design, Landscaping, and specialized Sustainability Services. The practice follows a holistic, sustainable approach with a design-led methodology, serving residential, community, educational, commercial and retail clients. The practice was established in 1994 and is a RIBA Chartered Practice with both directors registered with the ARB.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture Services Inspiring, award-winning contemporary design with a modern sustainable, ecological approach to innovative buildings, interiors, and environments. Covers residential, community, schools, commercial, and retail projects delivered as director-led engagements.
• Planning Consultancy In-house planning consultancy covering successful Planning Approval, Appeals, Enforcement, Permitted Development, Lawful Development, and Change of Use. Expertise spans Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Community Assets, and Neighbourhood Plans.
• Professional Coordination / Project Management Project Management coordinating structural engineers, party wall surveyors, quantity surveyors, building regulations, fabricators, artists, building contractors, property valuations, and a wide network of related design and construction professionals.
• Sustainability Services Holistic sustainability approach including alternative energy sources, well-insulated buildings, orientation analysis, green/brown roofs, thermal massing, passive solar gain, low-energy and water-use fittings, grey water and rainwater recycling, passive stack ventilation, heat pumps, wind and solar energy harvesting, and lifecycle flexibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Winner, Best Value Award, Don't Move, Improve 2019 (New London Architecture)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Brinkworth (Lead Designer for Karen Millen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnott Architects acted as Architect with Brinkworth as Lead Designer for Karen Millen retail fit-out projects across multiple UK locations including Brompton Road London, Richmond, Newcastle, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Royal Exchange.
• Photographer NetworkminorOthersProfessional photographers including Jefferson Smith, Dome Photography, Tom Scott, Jack Trench, and Ruth Corney provide project photography services.
• ShelterminorOthersKnott Architects supports Shelter, the charity providing assistance, advocacy and campaigning for the homeless.
• Planning Aid for LondoncoreOthersGeorge Knott has provided support for many years and is now a trustee on the board of the Management Committee. This charity provides free professional planning consultancy advice to charities, community groups and individuals.
• The Modern HouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed in The Modern House directory of architects and designers. The estate agency focuses on architect-designed properties and architectural preservation.
• RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects)coreOthersKnott Architects is a RIBA Chartered Practice. Both directors are chartered RIBA members. Practice has reached the 'gold standard in architectural practice'.
• ARB (Architects Registration Board)coreOthersBoth George and Tom Knott are registered with the Architects Registration Board, the statutory register of architects in the UK.
• RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute)coreOthersGeorge Knott is a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. Practice maintains affiliation as part of professional standing.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/knott-architects-limited

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Knott Architects