John Gilbert Architects
John Gilbert Architects is a Glasgow-based architectural practice founded in 1992, specialising in Passivhaus design, conservation and retrofit of historic tenements, and strategy/masterplanning for Scottish housing associations, local authorities and community-led housing groups.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersGlasgow, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What John Gilbert Architects does
John Gilbert Architects (JGA) is a Glasgow-based architectural practice founded in 1992 by John Gilbert, operating as a private, founder-owned studio serving primarily the Scottish public sector and social housing market. The firm delivers four core service lines: Sustainable Architecture (Passivhaus-certified new build design), Conservation & Retrofit (including EnerPHit and tenement refurbishment), Strategy & Masterplan (regeneration and town centre planning), and Hab-Lab (a building performance evaluation consultancy). Its flagship productised offering is Passivhoos — a registered-trademark range of Passivhaus social housing types engineered to meet both international Passivhaus standards and Scottish Government budget benchmarks, with 31 units completed, 10 under construction and 89 in design at the time of source.
JGA monetises primarily through professional services: fixed fees for feasibility studies, percentage-of-project-cost for large full architectural commissions, hourly rates for ad-hoc work, and fixed-price productised reports (Tenement Toolbox from £1,500). The Hab-Lab service is structured in three tiers — snapshot, seasonal and partnership — providing tiered building performance consulting. The Passivhoos pipeline is delivered on a design-and-build contract basis through a core partnership with contractor Stewart & Shields, with procurement accessed via Scotland Excel, SPA Framework, and Hub West/South West frameworks. Customer segments centre on Scottish housing associations, local authorities and community-led housing organisations, with selected work in England (e.g., South Lakes Housing) and adjacent verticals including heritage, sport/leisure and community facilities.
The firm's go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, anchored by positions on multiple public sector framework agreements (Wheatley Group, Places for People, LHC for Argyll & Bute, North Ayrshire, Moray, Highland and Scottish Islands, Scotland Excel, SPA, Hub West/South West) and procurement through Public Contracts Scotland. Awareness is built through industry awards (four design awards in 2022 alone), authored reference content (The Tenement Handbook, Under One Roof, Sustainable Renovation Guide), academic research partnerships with MEARU and Glasgow Caledonian University, and event engagement (COP-runs at COP26). JGA is not externally funded and operates without disclosed revenue, with 11–50 staff and a single Glasgow headquarters at 125 Candleriggs.
John Gilbert Architects firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- John Gilbert Architects
- Legal name
- John Gilbert Architects
- Website
- https://johngilbert.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- John Gilbert Architects is a Glasgow-based architectural practice founded in 1992, specialising in Passivhaus design, conservation and retrofit of historic tenements, and strategy/masterplanning for Scottish housing associations, local authorities and community-led housing groups.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
John Gilbert Architects industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (54131), Architectural Services (541310), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB), Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH), Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders (IMAFABAE)
Keywords
Where John Gilbert Architects is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glasgow
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
John Gilbert Architects 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 - Fixed Fee: Feasibility studies and small projects charged at fixed fees. Full architectural service for large projects typically on percentage basis. Ad-hoc services at hourly rates.
- Passivhoos Design and Build: Design and build contract for Passivhoos social housing. Established team with set pricing offered on fixed cost basis. Procurement through Scotland Excel, SPA Framework, and Hub West/South West frameworks.
- Hab-Lab Services: Building performance consultancy with three service tiers: snapshot (quick one-off study), seasonal (in-depth investigation), and partnership (long-term R&D services).
- Tenement Toolbox Reports: Fixed price inspection reports for tenement owners. Reports start from £1500, priced on modular basis with bolt-on additional sections.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Feasibility studies and small projects |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Full architectural service for large projects |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Ad-hoc services |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Tenement Toolbox - Basic |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Tenement Toolbox - Standard and Premium |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
John Gilbert Architects product offering
Product offeringCore offering
John Gilbert Architects is a Scottish architectural practice providing sustainable architecture, conservation and retrofit, strategy and masterplanning, and a building performance consultancy (Hab-Lab) for housing associations, local authorities and community groups. It also delivers branded offerings including the Passivhoos range of Passivhaus-certified social housing types, the Tenement Toolbox fixed-price inspection reports, and the Sussed Sustainability environmental consultancy.
Product overview
John Gilbert Architects is a Scottish architecture studio offering a portfolio of interconnected architectural and consultancy services. Its core offerings span Sustainable Architecture (new-build design), Conservation & Retrofit (renovation), Strategy & Masterplan (urban planning), and the Hab-Lab building performance consultancy. Key branded products include Passivhoos (a range of certified affordable Passivhaus social housing types), the Tenement Toolbox (fixed-price inspection reports for Scotland's tenement owners per BS7913:2013), and Sussed Sustainability (a sustainability consultancy for public and commercial buildings). The studio also produces knowledge resources including the Tenement Handbook and Sustainable Renovation Guide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Passivhoos: Affordable Passivhaus homes initiative developed for Scottish housing providers, offering social housing types meeting international Passivhaus standards and Scottish Government budget benchmarks.
- Hab-Lab
- Sussed Sustainability
Products and services
- Sustainable Architecture Core architectural design service delivering buildings rooted in their context with contemporary design, high performance, and tailored to the needs of users. Focuses on energy efficiency and excellent internal space standards, primarily for housing associations, local authorities, and community groups in Scotland.
- Conservation & Retrofit Service providing new life for old buildings through careful renovation and retrofit, offering improved function, aesthetics, lower running costs, and fitness for the 21st century. Specialises in Scottish tenement buildings and heritage assets, including the Niddrie Road EnerPHit retrofit — the first Scottish tenement retrofit to EnerPHit standard.
- Strategy & Masterplan Strategic planning service for town centre and housing regeneration, applying planning and urban design skills to create development plans for residents, stakeholders, and wider communities. Targets local authorities and community groups undertaking urban regeneration.
- Hab-Lab Building Performance Service Dedicated building performance specialist service that assists clients in benchmarking, measuring, and improving the performance of new and existing building stock. Offers three service levels: snapshot (quick one-off study), seasonal (in-depth investigation), and partnership (long-term R&D services), supported by academic research partnerships with MEARU (Glasgow School of Art) and Glasgow Caledonian University.
- Passivhoos Registered-trademark range of social housing types meeting international Passivhaus standards and Scottish Government budget benchmarks, developed specifically for Scottish housing providers. Available in multiple configurations to suit different sites; meets Housing for Varying Needs, Greener Homes standard (Silver Aspects 1&2), Passivhaus certification, and Secured by Design standards. 31 units completed, 10 under construction, and 89 in design phase as of the source date; delivered on design-and-build contract with established pricing through Scotland Excel, SPA Framework, and Hub West/South West frameworks.
- Tenement Toolbox Fixed-price inspection report service for owners of buildings in common ownership in Scotland, fulfilling Scottish Government requirements for mandatory five-yearly inspection reports. Reports are structured in accordance with BS7913:2013 (British Standard Guide to the Conservation of Historic Buildings), start from £1,500, and include external surveys, internal common area inspection, condition reports, cost reports, and optional drone/cherry picker roof surveys, with modular bolt-on sections.
- Sussed Sustainability Collaborative sustainable design environmental consultancy helping clients achieve the highest performance in public sector, commercial, and residential building procurement. Services include operational energy calculation, Passivhaus designer services, embodied carbon calculation, Soft Landings and Post Occupancy monitoring, and assistance with LEIP and Net Zero Public Building Sector standard projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- Passivhaus buildings need 90% less energy for heating and hot water than standard buildings
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use John Gilbert Architects
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
John Gilbert Architects technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
John Gilbert Architects partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and minor.
- Stewart & ShieldscoreEstablished partnership for Passivhoos design and build delivery. Stewart & Shields is the contractor partner working with JGA to deliver affordable Passivhaus social housing across Scotland. Together they have completed multiple projects including Closeburn Passivhoos, St Boswells Passivhoos, and Linn Walk Garelochhead.
- CCG ScotlandcoreConstruction partner for Niddrie Road EnerPHit retrofit and other projects. CCG delivered the groundbreaking tenement retrofit with JGA's design.
- MEARU (Glasgow School of Art)keyResearch partnership examining and monitoring performance of Scottish Passive House projects. Director Chris Morgan worked with MEARU researchers to publish two-year BPE study findings.
- Glasgow Caledonian UniversitykeyAcademic partner in building performance evaluation research alongside MEARU Glasgow School of Art.
- Passivhaus AssociateskeyPassivhaus certification and technical expertise. Worked with JGA on multiple projects including Craigrothie Passivhaus and Niddrie Road.
- RicardokeyCollaborated with Zero Waste Scotland to develop 'Designing Out Construction Waste' guide. Ricardo led the team producing this Circular Economy approach to construction.
- The Pebble TrustkeyPrimary funder and initiator of the Sustainable Renovation Guide published in 2018. Scottish charity supporting sustainable, equal, low-carbon society projects.
- Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA)keyCo-host and funder of the Sustainable Renovation Guide alongside The Pebble Trust. Holds portfolio of sustainable design guidance.
- Architecture + Design Scotland (A+DS)keyCommissioned JGA for 'Sustainability in Re-use' report supporting NHS estates teams. Joint work on various sustainable design initiatives.
- Glasgow Institute of ArchitectsminorPartnership for COP26 COP-runs events. GIA hosted running tours as part of wider COP26 activities.
- Scottish Ecological Design AssociationminorPartner in COP26 COP-runs events showcasing Glasgow's Net Zero transition.
- Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)minorPartner in COP26 COP-runs events.
- South Lakes HousingcoreHousing association client for Halton Mill Community Homes - 20 Passivhaus homes in Lancaster delivered in partnership.
- Southside Housing AssociationcoreClient for groundbreaking Niddrie Road EnerPHit retrofit. Single ownership enabled comprehensive whole-building approach.
- Wheatley GroupcoreFramework partner for Dovehill mid-market rent project. Wheatley Group is Scotland's largest housing, care and property management group.
- Passivhaus AssociateskeyCertification partner for Craigrothie Passivhaus - JGA's first certified Passivhaus development.
- Under One RoofkeyWebsite dedicated to helping owners in shared properties, developed by JGA's John Gilbert and Annie Flint. Published under auspices of RIAS with funding from Scottish local authorities and Historic Environment Scotland.
- Holmes Miller ArchitectskeyJoint partnership on large scale non-domestic Passivhaus projects including Net Zero primary school in Buntingford and Passivhaus leisure centre in Blairgowrie.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
John Gilbert Architects competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Page\Park Architects: Glasgow-based practice with deep expertise in conservation, heritage, and sustainable design across Scottish social housing and cultural projects. Comparable to JGA's conservation-and-retrofit work for Scottish public sector clients.
- Anderson Bell + Christie: Long-established Scottish architecture practice covering housing, conservation, healthcare and education. Comparable on geographic footprint and breadth of public-sector social housing work in Scotland.
- Collective Architecture: Glasgow-based architecture practice with strong social housing, regeneration and sustainability portfolio. Direct Scottish regional peer, also serving housing associations and community-led clients with comparable sustainability positioning.
Direct peers
- Mikhail Riches: London-based architecture practice specializing in Passivhaus and low-energy social and affordable housing. Closest UK analogue to JGA in combining Passivhaus certification expertise with social housing delivery at scale, including Stirling Prize-winning Goldsmith Street.
- Architype: Herefordshire-based architecture practice and one of the UK's longest-established Passivhaus specialists, with deep social housing, healthcare and education credentials. Directly comparable as a specialist Passivhaus-led practice serving public sector clients.
- ECD Architects: London-based practice with a strong Passivhaus and sustainable housing portfolio, including social housing for London boroughs and housing associations. Comparable to JGA on Passivhaus technical depth and social housing focus.
- Holmes Miller Architects: Glasgow-based architecture practice with established Passivhaus and net-zero public sector portfolio, and an existing joint venture partner of JGA on large non-domestic Passivhaus projects. Comparable in Scottish social infrastructure focus.
Emerging players
- Featherstone Young: London-based practice with a strong sustainability and community-led housing portfolio, including award-winning Passivhaus and low-energy schemes. Comparable to JGA on combining community-led clients with Passivhaus delivery.
Broad incumbents
- Proctor & Matthews: UK-wide sustainable architecture practice with social housing and Passivhaus credentials. A larger, more diversified incumbent operating beyond Scotland with comparable sustainability positioning.
- Haworth Tompkins: London-based practice with deep expertise in heritage retrofit, sustainability and public-sector buildings. Comparable to JGA's conservation-and-retrofit service line and post-occupancy performance focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
John Gilbert Architects social profiles
Digital presenceJohn Gilbert Architects financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
John Gilbert Architects leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
John Gilbert Architects funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
John Gilbert Architects 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 John Gilbert Architects
What does John Gilbert Architects do?
John Gilbert Architects is a Scottish architectural practice providing sustainable architecture, conservation and retrofit, strategy and masterplanning, and a building performance consultancy (Hab-Lab) for housing associations, local authorities and community groups. It also delivers branded offerings including the Passivhoos range of Passivhaus-certified social housing types, the Tenement Toolbox fixed-price inspection reports, and the Sussed Sustainability environmental consultancy.
Is John Gilbert Architects a public or private company?
John Gilbert Architects is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was John Gilbert Architects founded?
John Gilbert Architects was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is John Gilbert Architects based?
John Gilbert Architects is headquartered in Glasgow, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does John Gilbert Architects make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Architectural Services - Fixed Fee is the primary driver. The others are passivhoos Design and Build, hab-Lab Services and tenement Toolbox Reports.
Who are John Gilbert Architects's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Page\Park Architects, Anderson Bell + Christie and Collective Architecture. Direct peers are Mikhail Riches, Architype, ECD Architects and Holmes Miller Architects. Featherstone Young is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Proctor & Matthews and Haworth Tompkins.
Does John Gilbert Architects have an API?
No public API is recorded for John Gilbert Architects.
What industry is John Gilbert Architects in?
John Gilbert Architects's product category is Architectural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAA, Architectural Design Services, with a secondary code of HSAPAEAB, Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations. Its NAICS code is 54131.