What 5plus Architects does

5plus Architects is a UK-based architectural design practice operating as two private limited companies (Five Plus Architects Limited and Five Plus Architects London Limited), founded in 2010 and led by six founding directors. The practice delivers professional architectural services — masterplanning, architecture, interiors and graphics — across residential, commercial, hospitality, education, workplace, infrastructure and adaptive reuse sectors, with a national footprint spanning England, Scotland and Wales through studios in Manchester (headquarters at The Hive, 47 Lever Street) and London (The Leather Market, Weston Street). It serves enterprise clients including institutional investors, developers and public sector bodies, securing commissions through direct client engagement and competitive tender on flagship schemes such as the Central Square Cardiff 50-storey tower, the West Bar Square Sheffield masterplan, the Bradford City Village regeneration with ECF, the AMIDS Glasgow masterplan, and a national NHS Smarter Working roll-out.

The firm is design-led and differentiated by an extensive portfolio of RIBA, BCO, Mixology and Insider Media award wins (including RIBA Emerging Architect of the Year 2014 and RIBA North West Regional Building of the Year 2026), repeat mandates from blue-chip developers and asset managers, and a deep sustainability credentials stack spanning BREEAM Excellent, WELL Gold, NABERS UK, Fitwel, LEED Gold, WiredScore Platinum and SmartScore certifications on completed and pipeline projects. It employs 51-100 staff across two studios under a horizontal segmentation model targeting Investors & Developers and Public Sector Bodies as primary customer segments, with Urban Regeneration as a cross-cutting use case.

Revenue is generated on a professional services / project-by-project basis (no public pricing, no retainer structure disclosed, no SaaS or platform products). The firm is independently owned by its founding directors with no external investment, no parent company, no subsidiaries and no disclosed funding rounds. Marketing is content-led through a 'Think' thought leadership blog, Instagram, LinkedIn, email newsletter, and UK industry events (UKREiiF, Clerkenwell Design Week, BCO Conference), and the practice has no public API, no proprietary software products, and no disclosed AI/ML capability.

Name

5plus Architects

Legal name

Five Plus Architects Limited

Website

https://5plusarchitects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

5plus Architects is a UK national architectural design practice founded in 2010, operating from Manchester and London studios, delivering masterplanning, architecture, interiors and graphics services to institutional investors, developers and public sector bodies across England, Scotland and Wales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141), Landscape Architectural Services (541320)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Urban masterplanning
• Interior design fit-out
• Heritage building reuse
• Sustainable workplace design

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architectural Services: Professional architectural and design services for development projects including masterplanning, architecture, interiors, and graphics across residential, commercial, hospitality, education, and infrastructure sectors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

5plus Architects is a design-led architectural practice providing professional services across four core disciplines: Architecture, Urban Design, Interiors, and Graphics. The firm delivers bespoke projects from concept through construction for clients in residential, commercial, hospitality, education, workplace, infrastructure, and masterplanning sectors across the UK. Services are commissioned on a project-by-project basis through direct enterprise engagement rather than as packaged or modular offerings.

Product overview

5plus Architects is a national architecture and design practice with studios in London and Manchester. The practice operates as a unified service offering centered on four core disciplines: Architecture, Urban Design, Interiors, and Graphics. These core services are delivered across six specialist project categories — Workplace, Residential, Education, Reuse (heritage/adaptive reuse), Hospitality, and Masterplanning — supplemented by Infrastructure and Wayfinding capabilities. Architecture Services serves as the primary offering, with Urban Design supporting large-scale masterplanning projects, Interiors delivering fit-out and interior design, and Graphics providing wayfinding and visual identity. The practice does not offer modular software products; instead, it delivers bespoke consultancy services tailored to each project brief, spanning from initial concept through to construction completion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture Services Full-service architectural design spanning concept through construction for residential, commercial, hospitality, education, and infrastructure projects across the UK.
• Urban Design and Masterplanning Masterplanning and urban design services creating sustainable neighbourhoods, public spaces, and city-wide regeneration frameworks for developers, councils, and regeneration bodies.
• Interiors Interior design services including workplace fit-outs, residential interiors, and hospitality interior design with focus on sustainable and biophilic principles.
• Graphics and Wayfinding Graphic design services including wayfinding systems, signage, and visual identity work for buildings and public spaces.
• Heritage Reuse and Refurbishment Adaptive reuse and refurbishment of existing buildings including heritage conversions, listed building works, and deep retrofit projects.
• The First Fifteen Years (commemorative publication) A 364-page commemorative book celebrating the practice's 15th anniversary (2010-2025), documenting its culture and major projects with a forward-looking chapter 'sixteen'. Limited to 400 hand-numbered copies.

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

39 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ECF (Homes England, Legal & General, Muse Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2026Strategic partnership for major urban regeneration projects including Bradford City Village. ECF is a partnership between Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse focused on delivering large-scale regeneration schemes across the UK.
• Renaissance (Structural Engineer)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineering partner for Forth Goods Yard development in Newcastle.
• Futurserv (Building Services Engineer)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilding services engineering partner for Forth Goods Yard development.
• Wardell Armstrong (Acoustic, Air Quality and BNG Consultant)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAcoustic, air quality and biodiversity net gain consultant for Forth Goods Yard project.
• Lichfields (Planning Consultant)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPlanning consultant for Forth Goods Yard development.
• Southern Green (Landscape Architect)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture partner for Forth Goods Yard project.
• Planit.ie (Landscape Architect)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture partner for Soho Yard Sheffield project.
• Mott Macdonald (Transport and Flood Engineer)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTransport and flood engineering partner for Soho Yard Sheffield development.
• Renaissance (Civil and Structural Engineer)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCivil and structural engineering partner for Soho Yard Sheffield.
• Buro Happold (Building Services Engineer)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilding services engineering partner for Soho Yard Sheffield.
• Gardiner and Theobald (Principal Designer and Project Manager)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrincipal designer and project manager for Soho Yard Sheffield.
• Bowmer and Kirkland (Principal Contractor)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMain contractor for Soho Yard Sheffield residential development.
• BDP (Concept/Design Architect)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConcept and design architect collaboration on Manchester Metropolitan University Faculty of Science and Engineering Building.
• Bowmer and Kirkland (Principal Contractor)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrincipal contractor for Manchester Metropolitan University Faculty of Science and Engineering Building.
• Bluecastle Capital (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepeat client partnership for Central Square Cardiff - 50-storey tower development. Previously worked with Bluecastle on Stevenage and Sheffield build-to-rent projects.
• WSP (Structural/Civil Engineer and Sustainability Consultant)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural, civil engineering and sustainability consultancy for Central Square Cardiff project.
• Layer Studio (Landscape Architect)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture partner for Central Square Cardiff.
• Iceni Projects (Planning Consultant)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPlanning consultancy for Central Square Cardiff.
• Select Property Group / Vita Group / Wates (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing development partnership for VITA student accommodation portfolio including VITA Circle Square and VITA First Street Manchester.
• Bell Phillips (Masterplan Architect)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative masterplan architect relationship on Victoria Point student residential scheme.
• Royal London Asset Management (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for Five St Philips Birmingham - landmark office retrofit and extension in Birmingham's prime CBD.
• Willmott Dixon Interiors (Contractor)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMain contractor for Five St Philips Birmingham refurbishment project.
• Cundall (Building Services, Sustainability, Acoustic)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMulti-disciplinary engineering consultancy for Five St Philips Birmingham including building services, sustainability and acoustics.
• Shepherd Developments / Trafford Council (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIBA Award-winning partnership for Trafford Town Hall civic offices and library refurbishment project.
• Buro Happold (Fire, Acoustic, BREEAM/Sustainability)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMulti-disciplinary engineering consultancy for Trafford Town Hall project including fire, acoustic and sustainability engineering.
• Seven Capital (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepeat client for Hart Hotel Shoreditch - world class heritage boutique hotel project for Hilton Curio Collection.
• Hilton Hotel Group (Operator)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHilton Curio Collection operating the Hart Shoreditch Hotel following 5plus and Seven Capital development.
• Far East Consortium (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for Mount Yard Meadowside residential development part of the Meadowside masterplan framing Angel Meadow Park.
• NHS Property Services (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for NHS Smarter Working agile workplace national roll-out programme.
• British Council (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for new British Council headquarters at International Quarter Stratford.
• Urbo (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing client for West Bar Square masterplan in Sheffield, including No.1 West Bar Square office and Soho Yard residential.
• Aviva (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for award-winning transformation of The Corn Exchange Manchester - Grade II listed heritage building.
• Genr8 Kajima (Development Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner with Knowsley MBC for St Michael's Place Huyton regeneration and new council headquarters.
• Qbic Hotels (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for Yotel Manchester deep retrofit office-to-hotel conversion within Lincoln Square masterplan.
• Manchester Metropolitan University (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing client for multiple projects including Faculty of Science and Engineering Building and Student Hubs.
• MAG Group (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for Airport City Masterplan and Mix Manchester MSCP development.
• University of Salford (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for NERIC robotics innovation centre and City of Salford and University Masterplan.
• Renfrewshire Council (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for AMIDS Masterplan Glasgow - Scotland's home of advanced manufacturing and innovation.
• Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (Client)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClient for Merseyway Innovation Centre refurbishment and Stockport Town Centre Residential Design Guide.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Feilden Fowles: Smaller, design-led UK practice with award-winning residential, civic and education work. Comparable to 5plus in design ambition and typology mix though smaller in scale.

Direct peers

• WilkinsonEyre: Award-winning UK practice with comparable strengths in commercial workplace, residential towers, heritage and masterplanning. Competes for the same developer and institutional client briefs.
• Sheppard Robson: Large UK practice with comparable residential, workplace, education and masterplanning expertise. Competes with 5plus on BTR towers, university buildings and civic schemes.
• Haworth Tompkins: RIBA Stirling Prize-winning practice known for theatre, heritage, residential and adaptive reuse work. Highly comparable to 5plus on reuse, civic, hospitality and London-focused delivery.
• Make Architects: UK-headquartered practice with strong workplace, residential and masterplanning credentials and a comparable award profile (BCO, RIBA). Similar size bracket and typology focus to 5plus.
• SimpsonHaugh: London-based practice with a strong residential tower and mixed-use masterplanning pipeline. Directly comparable on the BTR and large residential typologies central to 5plus's recent wins.
• Allies and Morrison: Mid-large London-based architecture practice with comparable masterplanning, residential, education and heritage/adaptive reuse expertise. Highly comparable in scale and typology mix to plus's national UK offer.
• AHMM (Allford Hall Monaghan Morris): Award-winning London practice operating across workplace, residential, education and masterplanning. Directly comparable in scale, typology, and award profile to 5plus.

Broad incumbents

• BDP (Building Design Partnership): One of the UK's largest interdisciplinary architecture and design practices with deep public sector and education credentials. Directly comparable to 5plus on masterplanning, education, civic and commercial work and competes for the same institutional clients.
• Foster + Partners: Global architecture and integrated design leader. Overlaps with 5plus on masterplanning, workplace, residential and education briefs at the upper end of the UK commercial and public sector market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/5plus-architects
• Instagraminstagram.com/5plusarchitects
• Xx.com/5plusarch
• Facebookfacebook.com/5plus-architects-166003226808071

Compliance16 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 5plus Architects