Burrell Foley Fischer
Burrell Foley Fischer is a UK-based heritage conservation architecture practice specialising in sustainable retrofit and adaptive reuse of listed buildings. It serves public-sector clients — local authorities, heritage trusts, and universities — delivering award-winning refurbishments of theatres, civic complexes, and historic structures.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Burrell Foley Fischer does
Burrell Foley Fischer is a UK-based architectural practice specialising in heritage conservation, sustainable retrofit, and adaptive reuse of listed and historic buildings. Founded in the early 1980s and operating from London, Worcester, and Glasgow offices, the practice serves public-sector clients — local authorities, charitable trusts, universities, and heritage bodies — on projects spanning Grade I, II* and II listed buildings including theatres, civic complexes, and Victorian structures. Notable delivered projects include the York Guildhall refurbishment, the Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens restoration, the Hall for Cornwall redevelopment, the Merritt Centre at Sherborne Girls School, and the Malvern Theatres and Andover New Theatre commissions. The practice differentiates itself through deep expertise in sensitive conservation architecture, net-zero-carbon-in-operation strategies for heritage buildings, and successful navigation of UK heritage-funding mechanisms such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the UK Government Levelling Up Fund.
The firm's core technology stack centres on Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 2 — adopted practice-wide for project delivery across offices — alongside heritage-specific building physics and passive environmental design techniques. The team includes RIBA-accredited conservation specialists, led by Managing Director Faye Davies (a Registered Specialist Conservation Architect), and partners John Burrell and Aidan Ridyard. Operating as Burrell Foley Fischer Ridyard LLP, a partner-owned limited liability partnership with no external investment or parent entity, the firm secures work through public procurement, competitive tendering, and direct appointments based on an award-winning four-decade track record.
Revenue is generated through standard RIBA fee structures on project commissions, with project sizes ranging from single heritage assets to multi-million-pound regeneration programmes (e.g., £12m+ National Lottery Heritage Funded projects, £18-20m Levelling Up Fund commissions). The practice also engages in commercial workplace, cultural, and education-sector architecture, and has identified limited activity in Saudi Arabia alongside its UK core. Recognition includes multiple CIBSE, RTPI, Civic Trust, AJ Retrofit, RIBA, and international awards from 2017 through 2026.
Burrell Foley Fischer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Burrell Foley Fischer
- Legal name
- Burrell Foley Fischer Ridyard LLP
- Website
- https://bff-architects.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Burrell Foley Fischer is a UK-based heritage conservation architecture practice specialising in sustainable retrofit and adaptive reuse of listed buildings. It serves public-sector clients — local authorities, heritage trusts, and universities — delivering award-winning refurbishments of theatres, civic complexes, and historic structures.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Burrell Foley Fischer industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (54131), Architectural Services (541310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH)
Keywords
Where Burrell Foley Fischer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Burrell Foley Fischer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Burrell Foley Fischer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Burrell Foley Fischer is an architectural and urban planning practice delivering specialist design services in heritage conservation, adaptive reuse, and sustainable retrofit of historic buildings. The firm provides full architectural services for listed buildings, performing arts venues, educational campuses, and cultural/civic spaces, with deep expertise in sensitive conservation, net zero carbon strategies, and stakeholder engagement. Projects are secured via public procurement, direct appointment, and competitive tender.
Product overview
Burrell Foley Fischer is an architectural and urban planning practice offering specialist services across heritage conservation, performing arts venues, educational facilities, cultural buildings, and commercial workspace. The practice operates from London, Midlands, and Glasgow offices and has an award-winning track record in cultural, education, and housing sectors. Their portfolio includes landmark heritage restoration projects such as York Guildhall, Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens, and Hall for Cornwall, alongside new-build education and theatre projects. The firm focuses on sustainable conservation and adaptive reuse of existing buildings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Heritage Conservation Architecture Specialist conservation architecture services for Grade I, II* and II listed historic buildings, including restoration, adaptive reuse, and heritage-led regeneration. For local authorities, charitable trusts, and heritage organizations.
- Performing Arts and Theatre Design Design services for theatres, concert halls, and performing arts venues, including refurbishment, remodelling, and new-build theatre projects with flexible acoustics and audience capacity expansion. For cultural trusts and local authorities.
- Education Sector Architecture Architectural services for educational institutions including schools, universities, and campus masterplanning, encompassing new-build teaching facilities, sports complexes, and refurbishment. For universities, schools, and colleges.
- Cultural and Public Buildings Design of cultural venues, civic buildings, museums, cinemas, and public amenity spaces, balancing heritage preservation with modern functionality. For local government and cultural organizations.
- Workplace and Commercial Architecture Commercial office design, workspace refurbishment, and mixed-use development projects for business and public-sector clients.
- Campus and Masterplanning Services Strategic masterplanning services for university campuses and large-scale urban regeneration projects, integrating conservation, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement.
- York Guildhall Refurbishment A flagship heritage conservation project transforming the 15th century Guildhall complex into a venue combining events, exhibition space, and co-working facilities, achieving multiple CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2024.
- Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens Restoration Restoration of the Grade II* listed Victorian seaside glasshouse into a flexible entertainment venue with event space, restaurant, bar, and multi-purpose activity space for Great Yarmouth Borough Council.
- Hall for Cornwall Refurbishment Refurbishment and remodelling of a Grade II* listed theatre to increase audience capacity with a new three-tiered theatre space, flexible proscenium, and variable acoustics for the Hall for Cornwall Trust.
Quantifiable outcome
- York Guildhall achieved multiple CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2024 including Project of the Year Retrofit and Commercial and Offices
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Burrell Foley Fischer
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Burrell Foley Fischer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Burrell Foley Fischer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- ArupcoreCivils and Structural Engineer on York Guildhall project, providing structural engineering expertise for the heritage refurbishment
- Turner and TownsendcoreCost Consultant on York Guildhall project, providing cost management services
- Richard Griffiths ArchitectscoreHeritage Consultant on York Guildhall project, providing specialist heritage conservation advice
- SGA ConsultingcoreMEP Engineer on York Guildhall project
- VincicoreMain Contractor on York Guildhall project, delivering construction works
- The Morton PartnershipcoreCivils and Structural Engineer for Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens restoration
- Buro HappoldcoreMEP Engineer, Sustainability Consultants, Acoustic Consultants and Fire Consultants for Winter Gardens project
- Coe Design Landscape ArchitecturecoreLandscape Consultant for Winter Gardens project, designing planting scheme and external landscaping
- Mike MaundersupportingHorticultural Consultant providing expertise on planting species for Winter Gardens
- Kendrick HobbssupportingCatering Consultant for Winter Gardens project
- EdgesupportingProject Manager for Winter Gardens restoration
- Woodley ColessupportingCost Consultant for Winter Gardens project
- David Clarke AssociatessupportingBusiness Consultant for Winter Gardens project
- Cultural Consulting NetworksupportingActivity Consultant for Winter Gardens project
- Creative CoresupportingInterpretation Consultants for Winter Gardens project
- Keith GarnersupportingAccess Consultant for Winter Gardens project
- Sharpe PritchardsupportingProcurement Consultant for Winter Gardens project
- Great Yarmouth Preservation TrustcoreHeritage trust for which BFF is leading restoration of The Iron Duke pub with £2.4m NLHF funding
- CharcoalBluecoreTheatre Consultants on Hall for Cornwall project
- MACH AcousticscoreAcoustics Consultant on Hall for Cornwall project
- Price & MyerscoreCivils and Structural Engineer on Hall for Cornwall project
- Skelly & CouchcoreMEP Engineer on Hall for Cornwall project
- WWAsupportingCost Consultant on Hall for Cornwall project
- Eight Versa AssociatessupportingBREEAM Consultant on Hall for Cornwall project
- Cornwall Environmental Consultants LtdsupportingEcological Consultant on Hall for Cornwall project
- Cornwall CouncilsupportingArchaeology Consultant on Hall for Cornwall project
- Royal Botanic Gardens KewsupportingDirector of Gardens Richard Barley visited Winter Gardens to offer horticultural guidance and review proposed planting scheme
- Donald Insall AssociatescoreJoint vision with BFF for developing long-term plan for Bournville heritage places and spaces alongside Bournville Village Trust and Mondelez
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Burrell Foley Fischer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Purcell: Largest UK heritage and conservation architecture firm with a national office network. Directly comparable to BFF in serving listed-building, theatre, and civic heritage commissions across the UK. <parameter name="peer_description">Largest UK heritage and conservation architecture firm with a national office network. Directly comparable to BFF in serving listed-building, theatre, and civic heritage commissions across the UK.
- Stanton Williams: London heritage and cultural architecture practice with extensive experience on listed civic and cultural buildings (e.g. Museum of London, Tate). Comparable to BFF for Grade-listed cultural and civic commissions. <parameter name="peer_description">London heritage and cultural architecture practice with extensive experience on listed civic and cultural buildings (e.g. Museum of London, Tate). Comparable to BFF for Grade-listed cultural and civic commissions.
- Haworth Tompkins: UK theatre and performing arts architecture specialist with a strong heritage-and-cultural portfolio (e.g. Bristol Old Vic, Liverpool Everyman). Directly comparable to BFF for theatre/performance venue restoration work such as Hall for Cornwall. <parameter name="peer_description">UK theatre and performing arts architecture specialist with a strong heritage-and-cultural portfolio (e.g. Bristol Old Vic, Liverpool Everyman). Directly comparable to BFF for theatre/performance venue restoration work such as Hall for Cornwall.
- Buttress Architects: Manchester-based heritage and conservation architecture practice. Comparable to BFF as a UK conservation-focused firm working on listed-building restoration and adaptive reuse. <parameter name="peer_description">Manchester-based heritage and conservation architecture practice. Comparable to BFF as a UK conservation-focused firm working on listed-building restoration and adaptive reuse.
- Levitt Bernstein: UK architecture practice with a substantial heritage and conservation capability alongside housing and public-sector work. Comparable to BFF in serving heritage trusts, councils, and cultural institutions. <parameter name="peer_description">UK architecture practice with a substantial heritage and conservation capability alongside housing and public-sector work. Comparable to BFF in serving heritage trusts, councils, and cultural institutions.
- Donald Insall Associates: UK specialist heritage conservation architecture practice. BFF and Donald Insall Associates are collaborating partners on the Bournville heritage places project, making them directly comparable conservation peers. <parameter name="peer_description">UK specialist heritage conservation architecture practice. BFF and Donald Insall Associates are collaborating partners on the Bournville heritage places project, making them directly comparable conservation peers.
- Wright & Wright Architects: London-based heritage architecture firm known for cultural, educational, and listed-building projects. Comparable to BFF in working with public clients on heritage education and cultural buildings. <parameter name="peer_description">London-based heritage architecture firm known for cultural, educational, and listed-building projects. Comparable to BFF in working with public clients on heritage education and cultural buildings.
- Feilden Fowles: UK practice with a strong conservation, heritage, and cultural-civic portfolio (e.g. York Castle Museum, cultural venues). Directly comparable to BFF for Grade I/II* heritage and civic commissions. <parameter name="peer_description">UK practice with a strong conservation, heritage, and cultural-civic portfolio (e.g. York Castle Museum, cultural venues). Directly comparable to BFF for Grade I/II* heritage and civic commissions.
Broad incumbents
- Allies and Morrison: Major London architecture firm with a significant conservation and heritage portfolio serving public and institutional clients. Overlaps with BFF on heritage and education commissions but operates across a much broader portfolio. <parameter name="peer_description">Major London architecture firm with a significant conservation and heritage portfolio serving public and institutional clients. Overlaps with BFF on heritage and education commissions but operates across a much broader portfolio.
- David Chipperfield Architects: Global architecture firm known for museum and heritage conservation commissions (Neues Museum Berlin, Royal Academy). Comparable to BFF at the high end of heritage civic commissions but operating at a much larger international scale. <parameter name="peer_description">Global architecture firm known for museum and heritage conservation commissions (Neues Museum Berlin, Royal Academy). Comparable to BFF at the high end of heritage civic commissions but operating at a much larger international scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Burrell Foley Fischer social profiles
Digital presenceBurrell Foley Fischer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Burrell Foley Fischer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Burrell Foley Fischer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Burrell Foley Fischer 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 Burrell Foley Fischer
What does Burrell Foley Fischer do?
Burrell Foley Fischer is an architectural and urban planning practice delivering specialist design services in heritage conservation, adaptive reuse, and sustainable retrofit of historic buildings. The firm provides full architectural services for listed buildings, performing arts venues, educational campuses, and cultural/civic spaces, with deep expertise in sensitive conservation, net zero carbon strategies, and stakeholder engagement. Projects are secured via public procurement, direct appointment, and competitive tender.
Is Burrell Foley Fischer a public or private company?
Burrell Foley Fischer is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Burrell Foley Fischer founded?
Burrell Foley Fischer was founded in 1982. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Burrell Foley Fischer based?
Burrell Foley Fischer is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
Who are Burrell Foley Fischer's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Purcell, Stanton Williams, Haworth Tompkins, Buttress Architects, Levitt Bernstein, Donald Insall Associates, Wright & Wright Architects and Feilden Fowles. Broad incumbents are Allies and Morrison and David Chipperfield Architects.
Does Burrell Foley Fischer have an API?
No public API is recorded for Burrell Foley Fischer.
What industry is Burrell Foley Fischer in?
Burrell Foley Fischer's product category is Architectural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAH, Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning. Its NAICS code is 54131.