INCH Architecture + Design
INCH Architecture + Design is a Glasgow-based social enterprise architecture practice delivering evidence-based architecture, interiors, and research services for community organizations, housing associations, NHS trusts, and public sector clients across the UK, with specialist expertise in dementia and aging design.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersGlasgow, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What INCH Architecture + Design does
INCH Architecture + Design is a Glasgow-headquartered social enterprise architecture, design and research practice founded in 2012 by Lesley Palmer and Alisdair. The firm delivers architecture, interiors, masterplanning and research services to community organizations, housing associations, NHS trusts, local authorities and higher education clients across Scotland and the wider UK. Its differentiated capability is an evidence-based design practice for dementia and aging populations, built on a decade of research linked to the University of Stirling's Dementia Services Development Centre, including proprietary tools such as light reflectance values, tonal contrast frameworks, and dementia-friendly color toolkits.
The business operates on a fee-for-service professional services model, commissioned through competitive tendering and direct appointments, with project-based pricing and no publicly disclosed fee tiers. Revenue is reinvested in pro bono community work, applied research, and education, consistent with its social enterprise structure. The practice's core service portfolio spans community hubs, healthcare facilities, housing, education campuses, heritage and adaptive reuse projects (notably the EastWorks workspace conversion for Clyde Gateway), and cultural buildings. In May 2026 the firm extended its model with INCH Interiors, a dedicated sub-brand focused on care-sector interiors for the UK's dementia and older-people market. Two offices (Glasgow headquarters at 133 Bridgegate; Argyll at 28 Hillfoot Street, Dunoon) and active headcount hiring in early 2026 indicate an expanding but still small practice of 11-50 employees.
Distribution is entirely direct, with no intermediaries, and new business is generated primarily through awards, earned media in outlets such as The Herald and BBC, professional body affiliations (RIBA, GIA, Architects Declare, Social Enterprise Scotland), and a high rate of repeat commissions from public and third-sector clients. Notable reputational anchors include Building Design UK's Architect of the Year 2024 for Social Value, the BCO Scotland Refurbished/Recycled Award for EastWorks, Scottish Design Awards wins (including 2025 Public Building for Parklea Community Hub), and citation in the World's Alzheimer Report 2020.
INCH Architecture + Design firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- INCH Architecture + Design
- Legal name
- INCH Architecture + Design
- Website
- https://inch-architecture.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- INCH Architecture + Design is a Glasgow-based social enterprise architecture practice delivering evidence-based architecture, interiors, and research services for community organizations, housing associations, NHS trusts, and public sector clients across the UK, with specialist expertise in dementia and aging design.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
INCH Architecture + Design industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Design Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (54141)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Accessibility & Universal Design Consulting (HSABAJAB)
Keywords
Where INCH Architecture + Design is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glasgow
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
INCH Architecture + Design business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Architectural Services: Fee-for-service architecture and design services delivered to community organizations, housing associations, local authorities, and healthcare providers across public and third sector clients. Projects span community hubs, healthcare facilities, housing, workplace, and cultural buildings.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
INCH Architecture + Design product offering
Product offeringCore offering
INCH Architecture + Design is a social enterprise architecture, design, and research practice that provides architecture, interior design, masterplanning, and consultancy services for community buildings, healthcare facilities, housing, heritage, workplace, and civic projects. Its core focus is evidence-based, socially responsive design with particular specialization in dementia-friendly and older people's environments, supported by academic research partnerships with the University of Stirling. The firm operates two offices in Glasgow (headquarters) and Dunoon, Argyll.
Product overview
INCH Architecture + Design operates as a unified social enterprise architecture and design practice with two distinct service offerings: the core INCH Architecture + Design practice providing architecture, design, research and consultancy services across diverse fields including workplace, community, health, living, culture and civic, and play sectors; and INCH Interiors, a dedicated interiors division launched in May 2026 focusing specifically on the dementia care sector. The practice reinvests profits to support community development, fund research into best practice, and engage in education and skills development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- INCH Architecture + Design Core Practice Social enterprise architecture, design, and research practice offering office and workspace design, community organization design, inclusive interior and exterior space design, dementia design, older people's design, healthcare facility masterplanning, housing design, heritage and adaptive reuse design, and commercial space development for public and third-sector clients across Scotland and the UK.
- INCH Interiors Dedicated care interiors division of INCH Architecture focusing on the UK care sector to create enabling environments for older people. Applies evidence-based design principles including light reflectance values and tonal contrasts to reduce falls, anxiety, and social isolation among dementia sufferers and older residents in care homes, long-term care, and supported living developments.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduction in falls, anxiety, and social isolation among dementia patients through evidence-based design principles
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use INCH Architecture + Design
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
INCH Architecture + Design technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
INCH Architecture + Design partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- Blue Leaf CarecoreBlue Leaf Care is partnering with INCH Interiors, the new dedicated interiors division of INCH Architecture, to serve care homes and individuals in the dementia care sector. The partnership aims to help dementia patients live longer in their own homes through evidence-based design principles.
- Alzheimer's ScotlandcoreINCH Interiors is working with Alzheimer's Scotland alongside Blueleaf Care to create enabling environments for older people, with more project news coming soon.
- Sheppard Robson ArchitectsmajorCollaboration with Sheppard Robson Architects on EastWorks Workspace project for Clyde Gateway, converting a disused gas purifier shed into high-quality contemporary office space.
- University of StirlingcoreUKRI-funded research partnership developing new technology within people's own homes to help older residents manage common complaints of aging. Lesley Palmer serves as Director and Chief Architect at the Dementia Services Development Centre, University of Stirling.
- Iridis DigitalsupportingTechnology partner in UKRI healthy ageing research project alongside Hanover Housing Association and University of Stirling, developing digital solutions for independent living.
- Eycon Construction LimitedsupportingMain contractor for Parklea Community Hub construction project, part of project team including INCH Architecture, Design Engineering Workshop, Luths Services, and others.
- Clyde GatewaycoreLong-standing regeneration partner in Glasgow's East End. Projects include EastWorks Workspace, Dalmarnock Purifier Care and Repair, and Magenta Technology Terrace. Multiple projects delivered and ongoing.
- Graphical HousesupportingCreative agency occupying EastWorks Workspace; collaborated on Britain From Above Exhibition design and installation at Glasgow Lighthouse.
- PRSEbiz and Remade NetworksupportingPartnership with PRSEbiz and Remade Network in developing the brief for Trotters Community Reuse Hub alongside New Cumnock Development Trust.
- New Cumnock Development TrustcoreClient for Trotters Building reuse project, working with INCH to develop brief for community reuse/remake hub and community spaces.
- Social Enterprise ScotlandsupportingAffiliated network supporting social enterprises; INCH shortlisted for Social Enterprise Awards Scotland 2025.
- RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects)supportingProfessional body affiliation; committed to RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge for sustainable architecture practice.
- Architects DeclaresupportingINCH has signed up to Architects Declare initiative, committing to addressing 12 points on sustainability and climate action within practice.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
INCH Architecture + Design competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Levitt Bernstein: UK practice with established expertise in social housing, estate regeneration, and inclusive design. Comparable to INCH for housing association and council clients, with greater scale and a wider national footprint.
- Penoyre & Prasad: UK practice with recognised expertise in healthcare, sustainability, and education sectors, frequently working with NHS trusts and public clients. Comparable to INCH on healthcare design credentials and public sector delivery, but with a larger portfolio and broader remit.
- Haworth Tompkins: London-based practice known for theatres, housing, and community projects with a strong social-value and adaptive reuse ethos. Comparable for adaptive reuse and community-sector clients; broader in scale and sector coverage.
- PRP Architects: Large UK architecture firm with deep specialism in housing, extra-care, and retirement living, serving housing associations and local authorities nationwide. Comparable to INCH for older-people and supported-living client segments, but at greater scale and breadth.
- John McAslan + Partners: Major UK practice with offices in Glasgow and London delivering civic, healthcare, heritage, and education projects. Comparable for NHS and civic-sector commissions in Scotland, though operating at a materially larger scale than INCH.
Direct peers
- Karakusevic Carson Architects: London-based practice focused on public sector housing, council estates, and community-led design with a strong social impact mandate. Directly comparable to INCH on housing association, council, and community development clients.
- Mae Architects: UK practice recognised for social-value-led design across community, health, and education sectors, with multiple award wins for built-environment impact. Comparable in mission, sector mix, and emphasis on measurable social outcomes.
- Pollard Thomas Edwards: UK architecture practice specialising in social housing, estate regeneration, and inclusive design for older and vulnerable residents. Comparable to INCH for housing association tenders, dementia/older-people design expertise, and public sector client base.
- Page\Park Architects: Scottish architecture firm with a long track record of award-winning civic, cultural, and community projects, with explicit emphasis on social and environmental value. Comparable to INCH in geography, sector focus, and design-led social-impact positioning.
- Collective Architecture: Glasgow-based architecture practice with a strong social enterprise ethos delivering community, housing, and healthcare projects across Scotland. Closely comparable to INCH in scale, geography, social-value positioning, and public/third sector client base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
INCH Architecture + Design social profiles
Digital presenceINCH Architecture + Design financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
INCH Architecture + Design leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
INCH Architecture + Design subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
INCH Architecture + Design funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
INCH Architecture + Design M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about INCH Architecture + Design
What does INCH Architecture + Design do?
INCH Architecture + Design is a social enterprise architecture, design, and research practice that provides architecture, interior design, masterplanning, and consultancy services for community buildings, healthcare facilities, housing, heritage, workplace, and civic projects. Its core focus is evidence-based, socially responsive design with particular specialization in dementia-friendly and older people's environments, supported by academic research partnerships with the University of Stirling. The firm operates two offices in Glasgow (headquarters) and Dunoon, Argyll.
Is INCH Architecture + Design a public or private company?
INCH Architecture + Design is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was INCH Architecture + Design founded?
INCH Architecture + Design was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is INCH Architecture + Design based?
INCH Architecture + Design is headquartered in Glasgow, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does INCH Architecture + Design make money?
One revenue line is on record: architectural Services.
Who are INCH Architecture + Design's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Levitt Bernstein, Penoyre & Prasad, Haworth Tompkins, PRP Architects and John McAslan + Partners. Direct peers are Karakusevic Carson Architects, Mae Architects, Pollard Thomas Edwards, Page\Park Architects and Collective Architecture.
Does INCH Architecture + Design have an API?
No public API is recorded for INCH Architecture + Design.
What industry is INCH Architecture + Design in?
INCH Architecture + Design's product category is Architectural Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAA, Architectural Design Services, with a secondary code of BPAHAKAB, Interior Design Services. Its NAICS code is 541310 and its SIC code is 8700.