Architype

What Architype does

Architype is a UK-based architectural practice specialising in Passivhaus and EnerPHit design and retrofit, operating from three studios in London, Hereford and Edinburgh with approximately 50 staff. Founded in 1983, the firm is widely recognised as the UK's leading Passivhaus architect and has delivered more than 198 certified Passivhaus buildings across education, housing, public, healthcare and cultural sectors. Its core customer base is the UK public sector — local authorities, councils, universities and government bodies — won through direct enterprise engagement and procurement frameworks including the Scottish Futures Trust's Learning Estate Improvement Programme.

The firm's technical foundation is the Passivhaus new-build standard and the EnerPHit retrofit methodology, supported by ECCOLAB, a proprietary lifecycle carbon, cost, energy, waste and wellbeing assessment software that Architype co-founded through its technology partner Rapiere. Notable delivered assets include the UK's first Passivhaus secondary school (Harris Academy Sutton), the UK's largest Passivhaus housing development (Agar Grove, London Borough of Camden), Scotland's first Passivhaus secondary school (Currie Community High School), and The Enterprise Centre at UEA which was exhibited during COP26 as one of seventeen projects.

Architype generates revenue through professional service fees for full architectural design services and via a separately branded PERFORM+ specialist consultancy offering Passivhaus Designer, EnerPHit certification support, carbon assessments and technical advisory. The go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales to public sector clients with no channel partners or resellers; pricing is project-scope-negotiated and not publicly disclosed. The firm is in the process of transitioning to full employee ownership, currently with 30% held by staff through an Employee Benefit Trust, and has no disclosed venture, private equity or institutional investors.

Name

Architype

Legal name

Architype Ltd.

Website

https://architype.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Architype is a UK architectural practice of around 50 staff across London, Hereford and Edinburgh, specialising in Passivhaus and EnerPHit design for public sector clients including councils, schools and universities, with proprietary ECCOLAB lifecycle carbon assessment software.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (54141)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Energy Efficiency & Weatherization Retrofit (HSAPAEAF), Structural & Seismic Retrofit Services (EDAEABAF)

Keywords

• Sustainable architecture services
• Passivhaus building design
• EnerPHit retrofit design
• Zero carbon architecture
• Lifecycle carbon assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Full-service architectural practice providing design, masterplanning, and architectural services for new build and retrofit projects across education, university, housing, community, and cultural sectors. Revenue generated through professional service fees for project delivery.
2. PERFORM+ Consultancy: Specialist consultancy service providing strategic insight, guidance, and technical services including Passivhaus Designer, EnerPHit certification support, carbon assessments, and technical expertise to clients seeking zero carbon building outcomes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Architype is a UK architectural practice delivering Passivhaus-certified design for new-build and EnerPHit retrofit projects across education, housing, community, and cultural sectors. The firm supplements its design work with PERFORM+ consultancy services (strategic guidance, Passivhaus Designer and EnerPHit certification support, carbon assessment) and has co-developed ECCOLAB, a proprietary software tool for lifecycle carbon, cost and energy evaluation.

Product overview

Architype operates as a Passivhaus architecture practice offering architectural services centered on sustainable, low-carbon design. The core offering comprises Passivhaus and EnerPHit design services for new build and retrofit projects across education, housing, community, and cultural sectors. Supporting this is PERFORM+, a specialist consultancy providing strategic insight and technical services, and ECCOLAB, a proprietary carbon/cost/lifecycle evaluation software tool co-founded through Rapiere. Additionally, the firm produces published guidance such as Safe Schools for the Future. The portfolio spans from residential to public buildings, with a focus on community, learning, care, and working environments across the UK.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Architype PERFORM+: A specialist consultancy service providing strategic insight, guidance, and technical services including carbon assessment and performance evaluation.
• ECCOLAB

Products and services

• Passivhaus Design Services Core architectural design service applying the Passivhaus standard to new build projects, delivering rigorous and efficient building performance with enhanced comfort, wellbeing, and quality. Used by councils, universities, schools, and public-sector clients for education, housing, community, and cultural buildings.
• EnerPHit Retrofit Passivhaus-aligned retrofit service using a fabric-first methodology that prioritises insulation, windows, and door upgrades. Enables simplified services design and an optimal internal environment at lower cost and with lower-tech solutions for heritage and existing buildings.
• Architype PERFORM+ Specialist consultancy providing strategic insight, guidance, and technical services for zero carbon challenges and regenerative design ambitions. Includes Passivhaus Designer input, EnerPHit certification support, carbon assessments, and performance evaluation for clients pursuing net zero outcomes.
• ECCOLAB Carbon, cost and energy assessment software co-founded by Architype through Rapiere. The only tool on the market that simultaneously evaluates cost, carbon, energy, waste streams, and health/wellbeing impacts across a building's lifecycle, supporting rapid design optimisation and quantification of measured credits across multiple certification standards.

Quantifiable outcome

• Buildings that perform exactly as predicted with evidence-based, targeted approach
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Edinburgh Climate Action NetworksupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2025Scott McAulay is a coordinator of ACAN Scotland and contributed to the Scottish half of ACAN's Climate Conversations and Architects Declare Masterclasses.
• Forestry CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Funded the Safe Schools for the Future research as part of the Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Fund, addressing barriers for increasing use of home-grown timber and wood-based products in construction in response to the climate emergency.
• UCL (University College London)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Co-author of Safe Schools for the Future guidance. Jose Torero from UCL supported the publication with fire resistance expertise for timber-framed primary schools.
• University of EdinburghcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Co-author of Safe Schools for the Future guidance. Luke Bisby from University of Edinburgh contributed fire resistance expertise for timber-framed primary schools.
• IGNIScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Co-author of Safe Schools for the Future guidance. Joachim Schmid from IGNIS contributed fire engineering solutions for timber-framed primary schools.
• Woodknowledge WalessupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Support partner for Safe Schools for the Future guidance, providing expertise on timber construction in Wales.
• PYC ConstructionsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Support partner for Safe Schools for the Future guidance, contributing construction industry expertise.
• Lowfield Timber FramessupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Support partner for Safe Schools for the Future guidance, providing timber frame construction expertise.
• Rosetta Risk ManagementsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Support partner for Safe Schools for the Future guidance, contributing risk management expertise.
• UK TreescapessupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2025Collaborated on film evening during Architecture Fringe 2025 exploring connections between forestry, timber production, and construction.
• KpH DeconstructionsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2025Collaborated on deconstruction and material reuse roundtable. KpH Deconstruction participated in panel discussion on circular economy in construction.
• Willmott DixonsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2025Participated in material reuse roundtable with Alasdair Donn from Willmott Dixon sharing insights on circular economy practices.
• Marks Barfield ArchitectssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2025Participated in deconstruction and material reuse roundtable alongside Architype and other industry partners.
• Circo TradesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2025Participated in material reuse roundtable with Darcy Arnold-Jones sharing insights on material circularity.
• Material IndexsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2025Participated in deconstruction roundtable with Oliver Lawson contributing expertise on material indexing and reuse.
• Saint-GobainsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2025Participated in material reuse roundtable with Rochelle Collard sharing insights on material recovery and recertification.
• Edinburgh Adapts PartnershipsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2024Partnership with City of Edinburgh Council, Historic Environment Scotland, Nature Scot, NHS Lothian, Scottish Water, Edinburgh College, Sniffer, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh Napier University, University of Edinburgh, SEPA, and Edinburgh World Heritage for climate adaptation planning.
• RapierecoreTechnology or IntegrationCo-founder of Rapiere and developer of Eccolab software for lifecycle carbon assessment. Rapiere is the entity behind this proprietary tool that simultaneously evaluates cost, carbon, and energy across a building's lifecycle.
• Scottish Futures TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitype projects like Currie Community High School are among the first developments in the Scottish Futures Trust's Learning Estate Improvement Programme, which ties strict energy requirements to school funding.
• Open CitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Open City's Young City Makers programme, working with year 5 students to engage with the built environment and think critically about communities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mikhail Riches: London-based architecture practice specialising in Passivhaus and low-energy housing, including social housing and Passivhaus residential developments. Most directly comparable UK peer to Architype on Passivhaus delivery in housing and public sectors.
• Levitt Bernstein: UK architecture practice with deep expertise in sustainable housing, Passivhaus developments, and public-sector work. Comparable to Architype on social housing, sustainability, and council-client base.
• Bere:Architects: UK architecture practice with a strong Passivhaus and sustainable-design track record across housing and community buildings. Comparable to Architype in size, sustainability positioning, and emphasis on evidence-based, fabric-first design.
• Haworth Tompkins: Award-winning UK architectural practice with a portfolio in sustainable, low-energy cultural, education, and housing projects. Comparable to Architype on sustainability credentials and UK-focused public-sector work.
• Purcell: UK architecture practice with strong heritage and retrofit specialism alongside broader public-sector work. Comparable to Architype's EnerPHit-led heritage and retrofit engagement.
• Cullinan Studio: UK sustainable architecture practice known for low-energy, environmentally-led design across housing, education, and cultural sectors. Closely comparable to Architype's values-led, sustainability-first positioning.

Emerging players

• Feilden Fowles: Award-winning UK architectural practice with growing profile in low-energy, materially-led cultural and education projects. Comparable emerging player on design quality and sustainability agenda, though with narrower Passivhaus specialism than Architype.

Broad incumbents

• Allies and Morrison: Established UK architectural practice with broad portfolio across housing, education, cultural, and masterplanning. Comparable incumbent in the UK public-sector and education markets where Architype operates.
• WilkinsonEyre: Major UK architectural practice with award-winning work across education, infrastructure, and cultural buildings. Comparable incumbent in UK public-sector delivery and design-led sustainability.
• Foster + Partners: Global UK-headquartered architectural practice with a much broader portfolio including commercial, cultural, and infrastructure projects. Relevant incumbent comparable in design quality and UK public-sector profile, but operates at a vastly larger scale and wider typology mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ArchitypeUK
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ArchitypeArchitects
• Facebookfacebook.com/Architype-Architects-108390669213191
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/architype
• Instagraminstagram.com/architypeuk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Architype