Alec French Architects

Name

Alec French Architects

Legal name

Alec French Architects Ltd.

Website

https://alecfrench.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1928

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Building refurbishment
• Heritage conservation
• Sustainable architecture
• Master planning services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Architectural Services: Traditional architectural practice providing full-service design consultancy from feasibility studies through to project completion. Revenue generated through professional fees based on project scope and complexity, serving government, public bodies, commercial companies, contractors, charities, educational bodies, and private individuals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Alec French Architects is a Bristol-based architectural practice providing full-service design consultancy from feasibility studies through to project completion and contract administration. The firm delivers masterplanning, sustainable design, design development, Principal Designer (CDM/Building Safety Act compliance), technical advisory, and contract administration services for public, commercial, educational, heritage, and residential projects. It also operates AFA Workspace, a collaborative office offering flexible desk rentals and conference facilities.

Product overview

Alec French Architects is an architectural practice offering a portfolio of interconnected professional services. The core service offering includes Principal Designer (CDM/Building Safety Act compliance), Masterplanning, Feasibility Studies, Sustainable Design, Design Development, Technical Advice Role, and Contract Administration. Additional services include Principal Designer, Design Development, Feasibility Studies, Masterplanning, Sustainable Design, Technical Advice Role, and Contract Administration. The practice also operates AFA Workspace, a collaborative workspace service providing flexible desk rentals and conference room facilities for creative and construction industry professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Masterplanning
• Feasibility Studies
• Sustainable Design
• Design Development
• Principal Designer
• Technical Advice Role
• Contract Administration
• AFA Workspace

Quantifiable outcome

• Bristol Beacon received £183m refurbishment, won 2025 Civic Trust Award and Selwyn Goldsmith Award for Universal Design
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• PLACEmakingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2013, Alec French Architects and PLACEmaking formed 'ADAPT', a multi-skilled collection of Bristol-based specialist architects, workplace consultants, designers, and engineers to undertake the Bristol Workplace Programme. This partnership enabled the Council's office estate rationalization from 38 buildings to 2, achieving £72 million savings.
• BAM ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAlec French Architects appointed as lead designer on Lyde Green School project, supporting BAM Construction with Passivhaus school design. BAM is the main contractor delivering the £27m school project for South Gloucestershire Council.
• Levitt Bernstein ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead design architects for Bristol Beacon project; Alec French Architects provided design development and on-site support services for this £183m concert hall refurbishment, working closely with Levitt Bernstein's design intent.
• ArupmajorTechnology or IntegrationEngineering consultancy on Bristol Beacon project, providing structural and services engineering. Alec French Architects maintained regular liaison with Arup alongside Levitt Bernstein Architects during the £183m refurbishment.
• Willmott DixoncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMain contractor on multiple projects including Bristol Beacon (£183m) and Capel Road (£15.5m). Alec French Architects provides architectural services as part of contractor's design team.
• Novell TullettminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLandscape architecture firm operating from AFA Workspace collaborative studio. Award-winning company offering landscape architecture, urban design, and environmental planning services. Collaborated with Alec French on various projects over 30 years.
• Follow FridayminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInterior design studio operating from AFA Workspace. Founded by Marta and Fernando Gamarro in 2019, providing end-to-end interior design services from mood boards through to contractor management.
• Hardisty Jones AssociatesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEconomic development consultancy operating from AFA Workspace. Provides socio-economic impact assessments, employment site demand analysis, and economic planning support to local authorities and developers.
• Wall ArchitectureminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChartered architecture practice operating from AFA Workspace. Founded by Tom Wall, undertaking all RIBA stages of work from residential extensions to commercial projects across city and rural contexts.
• Skanska UKmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMain contractor for Project Norwood - Zurich Insurance's new headquarters in Swindon (£37m). Alec French Architects developed Employers Requirements to support Skanska's tender submission and provided ongoing design development services.
• YTL GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlec French Architects working with YTL and McGregor Coxall on Brabazon New Town development - transforming historic Filton Airfield into 6,500-home community with 15-acre park and YTL Arena Bristol. Malaysian Prime Minister officiated official launch.
• McGregor CoxallcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban design and landscape architecture firm collaborating with Alec French Architects on Brabazon New Town masterplan. Partnership developing city centre design for extensive mixed-use development.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stride Treglown: Bristol-headquartered architectural practice of comparable scale with multi-sector UK coverage including heritage, education, residential and masterplanning. Operates in the same South West market as Alec French and competes for analogous public sector and developer commissions.
• Levitt Bernstein: London-based architectural practice focused on housing, regeneration, and public sector projects. Partnered with Alec French as lead architect on Bristol Beacon, demonstrating direct overlap in residential, public, and masterplanning work.
• Feilden Fowles: Contemporary UK architecture firm of broadly comparable scale with strong sector diversity across cultural, education, and residential projects. Directly comparable regional-to-national practice profile and RIBA award credentials.
• Purcell: UK heritage and conservation-led architecture firm working across listed buildings, education, and cultural sectors. Closely comparable to Alec French's heritage conservation specialism (SS Great Britain, Being Brunel) and RIBA award profile.

Broad incumbents

• Allies and Morrison: Established London architectural practice with broad sector coverage across residential, cultural, education, and masterplanning. Larger and broader than Alec French but overlapping in heritage, education, and developer-led projects.
• BDP (Building Design Partnership): Major UK multi-disciplinary architecture and engineering practice with strong healthcare, education, and public sector presence. Competes with Alec French for university and public sector commissions and has offices across the UK including the South West.
• Chapman Taylor: International architecture firm with strong residential, mixed-use, and masterplanning portfolios. Overlaps with Alec French in mixed-use and student accommodation sectors (e.g., schemes for Unite Students) and competes for similar developer clients.
• Make Architects: London-headquartered architecture firm with portfolio spanning commercial, residential, education, and mixed-use. Comparable sector mix and comparable position on UK commercial developer and institutional clients.
• Foster + Partners: Global architectural firm with offices worldwide offering services across infrastructure, cultural, education, and residential sectors. Significantly larger scale but competes for the same signature cultural and masterplanning commissions Alec French targets regionally.
• Wilkinson Eyre: UK architectural practice with comparable presence in cultural, commercial, education, and transport infrastructure sectors. Similar RIBA-award profile and broader portfolio, comparable on public and commercial sector masterplanning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/alecfrencharchs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alec-french-architects
• Instagraminstagram.com/alecfrencharchitects

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Alec French Architects