What GSSArchitecture does

GSSArchitecture is a UK architectural practice founded in 1879 (originally Gotch, Saunders and Surridge) operating as a private partnership from its headquarters in Kettering, Northamptonshire. The firm employs 70+ professionals across six offices in Kettering, Leeds, London, Newcastle, Harrogate, and Milton Keynes, providing architectural design, masterplanning, interior design, heritage conservation, sustainability advisory, feasibility studies, and Principal Designer services for the Building Safety Act 2022 and CDM Regulations. Core technical capabilities include BIM Level 2 design (BS 1192 compliant), Passivhaus certification using PHPP software, One Click LCA life-cycle carbon assessment, and an in-house 3DLABS digital design studio producing CGI visualisations, 3D printing, and VR experiences.

The firm's go-to-market is anchored in UK public sector procurement frameworks - Fusion21 (£175m), NEUPC (£80m), NHS SBS, LHC, CPC, Pagabo, YORhub, and NEPO among 20+ positions - enabling streamlined tendering for local authorities, NHS trusts, universities, and housing associations. Primary customer segments are Schools & Nurseries (500+ delivered projects for 400+ clients), Higher and Further Education (Newcastle University, Durham, Teesside, Northumbria, Sunderland), Healthcare (NHS Trusts), Heritage & Conservation (Grade II* listed and World Heritage Sites), and Industrial & Commercial work. Pricing is project-specific and quote-based with no publicly disclosed rates, reflecting a professional services revenue model.

Leadership consists of seven partners: Jonathan Hunter (Senior Partner, appointed 2024), Ian Bray (Managing Partner), and regional partners Tom Jagger, Alex Proctor, Simon Rennison-Rae, and Chris Chapman, with conservation and sustainability specialisations embedded in the team. The practice holds RIBA Chartered status, AABC Heritage accreditation, ISO 9001/14001/45001, Investors in People Gold, and is a signatory to Architects Declare and the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge, with stated commitments to carbon neutrality by 2030 and Net Zero by 2045. No revenue figures, funding rounds, or acquisitions are disclosed.

Name

GSSArchitecture

Legal name

GSSArchitecture

Website

https://gssarchitecture.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1879

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

GSSArchitecture is a UK architectural practice founded in 1879, employing 70+ professionals across six offices, providing architectural design, masterplanning, heritage conservation, and sustainability services to public sector clients via UK procurement frameworks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141), Interior Design Services (541410), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Heritage conservation
• Building information modeling
• Masterplanning services
• Sustainable architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Kettering

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 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 Design Services: Professional architectural services including design, masterplanning, feasibilities, interior design, and heritage conservation for public and private sector clients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

GSSArchitecture is a UK architectural practice providing end-to-end architectural and consultancy services, including feasibility studies, architectural design, masterplanning, interior design, estate strategies, heritage conservation, and Principal Designer services (Building Regulations and CDM), delivered through a multi-disciplinary team of 70+ professionals across six UK offices. The firm is positioned as a 'One Stop Shop' for clients, supplying a single point of contact for integrated design teams from initial feasibility through to building handover, with specialist divisions in Heritage & Conservation (AABC registered) and an in-house 3DLABS digital visualisation studio. It primarily serves public sector clients (education, healthcare, local authorities) and selected private sector clients, accessed largely via UK public sector procurement frameworks.

Product overview

GSSArchitecture is an established UK architectural practice founded in 1879, offering a comprehensive portfolio of architectural and consultancy services through a multi-disciplinary team of 70+ professionals across six UK offices. The core service offering includes Architectural Design, One Stop Shop (integrated design team management), Heritage & Conservation, Sustainability, Masterplanning, Estate Strategies, Principal Designer services (Building Regulations and CDM), Passivhaus, Feasibilities, Interior Design, and 3DLABS (in-house digital visualisation studio). Projects span multiple sectors including Schools & Nurseries, Further Education, Higher Education, Arts & Culture, Healthcare, Heritage, Industrial & Commercial, Masterplanning, Residential, and Sports & Leisure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 3DLABS: In-house digital design studio specialising in CGI visualisations, 3D printing, and marketing support services including corporate identity, digital marketing solutions, and print marketing solutions.

Products and services

• Architectural Design Full architectural services including feasibility exploration, design development, planning applications, and construction administration for projects across multiple sectors, covering masterplanning, new builds, remodelling, and extensions.
• One Stop Shop Streamlined consulting service providing a single point of contact for integrated design teams, from initial feasibility through to building handover, managing sub-consultants and supply chain partners.
• Heritage & Conservation Specialist conservation architecture services including condition reports on listed buildings, bespoke repairs, targeted conservation needs, and complex adaptations for Grade II* listed properties and World Heritage Sites.
• Sustainability Sustainably-led design solutions spanning carbon reduction, energy efficiency, environmental frameworks, BREEAM assessment, SKA assessments, WELL Building Standard, Fitwel certification, and Net Zero carbon targeting.
• Masterplanning Strategic planning services developing flexible, deliverable masterplans integrating client visions with community needs, including brief preparation, community consultation, landscape design, and infrastructure delivery plans.
• Estate Strategies Strategic estate development frameworks providing direction for estate evolution and growth to support delivery of strategic objectives, particularly for higher and further education clients.
• Principal Designer - Building Regulations Building Safety Act 2022 compliance services guiding clients through legal duties, assessing design work compliance, and coordinating with Principal Contractors for construction projects including Higher-Risk Buildings.
• Principal Designer - CDM Health and safety coordination services under CDM Regulations 2015, including pre-construction information gathering, risk highlighting, and ongoing support throughout the construction phase.
• Passivhaus Certified Passivhaus design services providing energy-efficient building standards with exceptional indoor comfort, minimal heating/cooling requirements, and PHPP software verification for Net Zero carbon goals.
• Feasibilities Comprehensive feasibility studies investigating site potential, presenting creative proposals and scheme appraisals covering client briefs, site analysis, planning policies, outline budgets, and procurement recommendations.
• Interior Design Interior design services including space planning, finish selection, colour consultation, furniture specification, and Fitwel/WELL standard compliance for healthy, functional environments.
• 3DLABS Digital Design Studio In-house digital design studio providing CGI visualisations, 3D printing, VR experiences, animations, corporate identity design, digital and print marketing materials for the practice and its clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ school projects delivered in recent years for 400+ education clients
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Blueprint for All (formerly Stephen Lawrence Trust)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Newcastle University and Blueprint for All to give young people of diverse ethnic heritage opportunity to enter the architectural industry. Students on the scheme have fees waived for three-year undergraduate study and receive annual contribution to living costs. Bursary scheme now in its fourth year at Newcastle University with six students benefiting.
• Newcastle UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Blueprint for All for Building Futures bursary scheme supporting diverse ethnic heritage students. Also client for multiple projects including The Catalyst and Dame Margaret Barbour Building.
• SMART CarbonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with SMART Carbon to implement PPN 06/21 compliant Carbon Reduction Plan, benchmarking in 2023.
• Architects DeclareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSignatory to Architects Declare climate emergency initiative.
• RIBAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge for sustainable design.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• AHR (formerly Aedas UK): Large multi-disciplinary UK architecture and building consultancy with education, healthcare, heritage and public sector work. Competes for the same framework-based public sector clients as GSSArchitecture but at materially larger scale.
• IBI Group: International design and engineering consultancy with significant UK practice covering education, healthcare and urban development. Overlaps with GSSArchitecture's sector mix at a much larger scale with broader geographic reach.
• Benoy: International architecture, masterplanning and interior design practice with UK operations and education/commercial sector exposure. Overlaps on services (architecture, interior design, masterplanning) and target markets but at larger scale.
• BDP (Building Design Partnership): Larger UK-headquartered multi-disciplinary design practice covering architecture, engineering and consultancy across health, education, heritage and commercial. Overlaps with GSSArchitecture's sectors but at significantly greater scale and with broader service portfolio.

Direct peers

• Pick Everard: Mid-size UK architectural and engineering consultancy with strong public sector and education sector exposure, multi-office footprint, and similar framework-led go-to-market. Directly comparable in scale, sector mix and partnership-style ownership.
• Feilden+Mawson: UK architectural practice with strong heritage/conservation credentials (notably at listed buildings and cultural projects) and education sector exposure — overlaps with GSSArchitecture on heritage AABC-style work and education specialisation.
• MJP Architects: Long-established UK architectural practice with education, heritage and conservation focus and similar scale. Comparable on services, sector mix and longevity-driven brand positioning.
• Corstorphine & Wright: Mid-sized UK architectural practice with multi-office presence and strong education, heritage and public sector portfolio. Highly comparable in scale, geography and sector mix to GSSArchitecture.
• Stride Treglown: UK architectural practice of comparable size with strong education, healthcare and heritage credentials; operates multiple UK offices and competes in similar public sector framework environments. Closely comparable on services, scale and target markets.
• Bond Bryan: UK architectural practice with education, healthcare and commercial sector focus; multi-office operation and similar framework-based public sector GTM. Closely comparable in scale and specialisation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/GSSArchitecture
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2362919?trk=pro_other_cmpy
• Instagraminstagram.com/gssarchitecture
• Xx.com/gssarchitecture

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 GSSArchitecture