Surman Weston Ltd
Surman Weston is a London-based RIBA Chartered architecture practice founded in 2014 by Tom Surman and Percy Weston, designing bespoke residential, educational, and civic projects across the South of England and manufacturing small-scale hardware and prefabricated products.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Surman Weston Ltd does
Surman Weston Ltd is a London-based RIBA Chartered architecture practice founded in 2014 by Tom Surman and Percy Weston, operating as a private limited company with 1–10 employees. The firm delivers bespoke architecture and design services across four principal segments: private residential new build and retrofit, schools and educational facilities (notably the award-winning Hackney School of Food at Mandeville Primary School), civic and community buildings, and workspaces. Each commission is negotiated individually, with no published pricing, and projects are won through invited design competitions, direct enquiries, and referrals across the South of England — primarily London boroughs (Peckham, Surbiton, Clapton, Islington, Forest Gate, Wembley, Battersea, Highgate, Camberwell, Southwark) with selected rural work in Devon, Norfolk, and Surrey.
The practice's underlying technical capability centres on digital fabrication, bespoke joinery, and low-energy construction methods. Notable technical components include a Hundegger K2 computer-aided milling workflow for self-build construction (Man-Milled-Home), low-carbon calcined clay concrete structural framing (Clock Tower House — one of the first reinforced concrete frames in the UK using this mix), carbon-negative cork cladding (Cork Study), and an in-house workshop that produces prefabricated products including the Heid Garden Room, the unlacquered brass SW Doorknob (manufactured with Frank Allart), and the FSC-certified Wedge Table. Materials are sourced for sustainability (FSC-certified Valchromat, sustainably sourced oak, granite and Douglas fir on-site at Hollow Meadow).
The business model is hybrid. Primary revenue comes from negotiated professional services fees on bespoke commissions (residential, educational, civic). Secondary revenue comes from direct hardware and product sales (Heid Garden Rooms, SW Doorknobs, Wedge Tables) manufactured in-house and sold without intermediaries. Distribution relies on earned media coverage in leading UK and international architecture publications (Architects' Journal, RIBA Journal, Dezeen, The Guardian, Wallpaper), the practice's portfolio website, Instagram, and repeat referrals from a high-profile client network and recurring collaborators including Structure Workshop, Peter Deer and Associates, Modernarc, Tim Gaudin, LEAP Federation, and Chefs in Schools.
Surman Weston Ltd firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Surman Weston Ltd
- Legal name
- Surman Weston Ltd
- Website
- https://surmanweston.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Surman Weston is a London-based RIBA Chartered architecture practice founded in 2014 by Tom Surman and Percy Weston, designing bespoke residential, educational, and civic projects across the South of England and manufacturing small-scale hardware and prefabricated products.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Surman Weston Ltd industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Services
- NAICS
- New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236115), Residential Remodelers (236118), Nonresidential Building Construction (2362), Custom Architectural Woodwork and Millwork Manufacturing (337212)
- SIC
- Operative Builders (1531), General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Residential Luxury / High-End Home Construction (IMAFABAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Luxury Whole-Home Renovation (High-End Finishes & Custom Build) (HSAPAEAI), Wood Siding, Cladding & Exterior Wood Profiles (IMADADAH), Roof Insulation & Cover Boards (IMADAFAN)
Keywords
Where Surman Weston Ltd is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Surman Weston Ltd business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Architecture and design services: Primary revenue stream from bespoke architecture and design commissions for new build houses, retrofit/refurbishment projects, extensions, schools, civic buildings, and workspace. Fees are negotiated per project with no public pricing schedule.
- Heid Garden Room product sales: Sale of prefabricated Heid Garden Rooms — customisable off-the-shelf garden buildings for working, creating, and exercising. Manufactured in the practice's workshop and delivered fully finished to site.
- SW Doorknob product sales: Sale of solid unlacquered brass doorknobs in multiple finishes (burnished brass, polished brass, polished bronze, brushed chromium), manufactured in collaboration with Frank Allart.
- Wedge Table product sales: Direct sale of the Wedge Table — a flat-pack side table made from FSC-certified Valchromat and oak. Sold as a 4-piece unit with no joints or fragile finishes.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Surman Weston Ltd product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Surman Weston is an RIBA Chartered architecture practice that designs and delivers bespoke residential buildings (new build and retrofit), schools, civic buildings, and workspaces across the South of England. In addition to architectural services, the practice designs, manufactures, and sells physical products including the Heid Garden Room (prefabricated garden rooms), SW Doorknob (architectural hardware), and Wedge Table (flat-pack furniture), all produced in its own workshop using digital fabrication and sustainable materials.
Product overview
Surman Weston is a London-based RIBA Chartered architecture practice offering architectural design services across residential new build, retrofit, schools, and civic buildings. Their portfolio includes completed projects (Peckham House, Hackney School of Food, Surbiton Springs, Heathside Poolhouse) and ongoing projects (Hollow Water, Clock Tower House). They also manufacture and sell physical products including the Heid Garden Room (prefabricated garden rooms), SW Doorknob (architectural hardware), and Wedge Table (flat-pack furniture). Additionally, they published the School of Food Toolkit, an open-source guide for creating educational food facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bespoke Architectural Design Services
- Heid Garden Room
- SW Doorknob
- Wedge Table
- School of Food Toolkit
Quantifiable outcome
- Hackney School of Food serves approximately 4,000 children per year
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Surman Weston Ltd
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Surman Weston Ltd technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Surman Weston Ltd partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Harris Bugg StudiominorLandscape design partner for Hollow Water project in Devon. Harris Bugg Studio designed the landscape response for the rural Dartmoor new build house.
- Structure WorkshopcoreStructural engineering partner across multiple practice projects including Hollow Water, Peckham House, Heathside Poolhouse, and Hackney School of Food Phase 2. A recurring collaborator on practice projects.
- Go Green EngineeringminorServices engineering consultant for Hollow Water project.
- Peter Deer and AssociatescoreServices and civil engineering consultant across multiple practice projects including Hollow Water, Peckham House, and Hackney School of Food. A recurring collaborator on practice projects.
- RLP SurveyorsminorCost consultant for Hollow Water project.
- LEAP FederationcoreMulti-academy trust operating primary schools in Hackney, and co-client with Chefs in Schools for the Hackney School of Food project and Phase 2 expansion. LEAP Federation commissioned the practice to transform Mandeville Primary School's caretaker's house into a teaching kitchen.
- Chefs in SchoolscoreCharity co-founding the Hackney School of Food initiative with LEAP Federation. The practice and Chefs in Schools won the William Sutton Prize together and co-developed the School of Food Toolkit for nationwide replication.
- Jean JullienminorGraphic designer and illustrator for Hackney School of Food project and School of Food Toolkit, providing visual identity, signage, and illustration work.
- Matthew Childs DesignminorLandscape designer for Heathside Poolhouse project in Surrey.
- Tim GaudincoreJoinery sub-contractor for Peckham House and other practice projects. Recurring collaborator on bespoke joinery and carpentry elements.
- ModernarccoreMain contractor for Hackney School of Food and Replica House Studio projects. Recurring construction partner.
- Marine DuroselleminorGraphic designer for the School of Food Toolkit publication (2023). Also credited for website graphic design.
- Jean JullienminorIllustrator for the School of Food Toolkit publication (2023), providing visual illustrations alongside graphic design work.
- Max FordhamminorMulti-disciplinary engineering consultancy providing acoustic, services, and sustainability consulting for the Silvertown Studios competition entry.
- Price & MyersminorStructural and infrastructure engineers for the Silvertown Studios competition entry.
- EqualsminorQuantity surveyors for the Silvertown Studios competition entry.
- Frank AllartminorBirmingham-based ironmongery manufacturer collaborating with Surman Weston to manufacture the SW Doorknob. Frank Allart's 100+ years of experience was used to help realise the high-quality door furniture design.
- MU.StudiominorFire engineer for Clock Tower House project.
- StockdaleminorCost consultant for Clock Tower House project.
- hgh consultingminorPlanning consultant for Clock Tower House project.
- Lama BuildminorMain contractor for Makepeace Mansions Apartment project in Highgate.
- Wadey BuildersminorMain contractor for Surbiton Springs (Ditton Hill House) project.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Surman Weston Ltd competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Jamie Fobert Architects: Small London-based residential-led architecture practice with comparable high-end private house and bespoke craft commissions. Similar brand-led, director-involved delivery model targeting design-literate residential clients.
- Tong + Bradley: Small London-based architecture practice producing craft-led, award-winning residential and small civic projects. Closely comparable in scale, design philosophy, and publication profile to Surman Weston.
- Adam Architecture: UK practice specialising in high-end classical and traditional residential and country house architecture. Comparable clientele of private residential clients commissioning bespoke homes, with similar emphasis on craft quality and contextual response.
- Haworth Tompkins: Award-winning London architecture practice with overlapping specialisms in residential, education, and theatre/cultural projects. Similar size profile, RIBA National Award pedigree, and exposure to the same London commissioning market.
- Cottrell & Vermeulen Architecture: Small London practice with deeply overlapping education and residential portfolio, including school retrofits and community-focused projects. Strong overlap with Surman Weston's school and civic work (LEAP Federation, RIBA-recognised).
- AY Architects: London-based architecture practice with a strong award-winning track record in residential, education, and community projects. Comparable profile of small team, high recognition, and similar commissions pipeline.
- 6a architects: London-based architecture practice of broadly comparable size and profile, with a parallel mix of high-end residential, cultural, civic, and educational commissions. Both practices are known for craft-led detailing, sustainability credentials, and frequently published award-winning work in the UK architecture press.
- Proctor & Shaw: Small London architecture practice with a similar mix of high-end residential, education, and community projects. Comparable size, design-led ethos, and award circuit presence in the UK architecture media.
Emerging players
- Assemble: London-based multi-disciplinary collective working across architecture, design and social-impact projects. Comparable emphasis on community-driven, craft-led work and a similarly small headline team, though Assemble's projects tend toward larger-scale public realm and temporary cultural work.
Broad incumbents
- Donald Insall Associates: Established UK architecture practice with deep heritage in heritage, retrofit, and conservation-led projects. Overlaps with Surman Weston's retrofit and contextual residential work, though it operates at a larger scale and longer track record.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Surman Weston Ltd social profiles
Digital presenceSurman Weston Ltd compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Surman Weston Ltd financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Surman Weston Ltd leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Surman Weston Ltd funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Surman Weston Ltd 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 Surman Weston Ltd
What does Surman Weston Ltd do?
Surman Weston is an RIBA Chartered architecture practice that designs and delivers bespoke residential buildings (new build and retrofit), schools, civic buildings, and workspaces across the South of England. In addition to architectural services, the practice designs, manufactures, and sells physical products including the Heid Garden Room (prefabricated garden rooms), SW Doorknob (architectural hardware), and Wedge Table (flat-pack furniture), all produced in its own workshop using digital fabrication and sustainable materials.
Is Surman Weston Ltd a public or private company?
Surman Weston Ltd is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Surman Weston Ltd founded?
Surman Weston Ltd was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Surman Weston Ltd based?
Surman Weston Ltd is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Surman Weston Ltd make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Architecture and design services are the primary driver. The others are heid Garden Room product sales, SW Doorknob product sales and wedge Table product sales.
Who are Surman Weston Ltd's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Jamie Fobert Architects, Tong + Bradley, Adam Architecture, Haworth Tompkins, Cottrell & Vermeulen Architecture, AY Architects, 6a architects and Proctor & Shaw. Assemble is listed as an emerging player. Donald Insall Associates is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Surman Weston Ltd have an API?
No public API is recorded for Surman Weston Ltd.
What industry is Surman Weston Ltd in?
Surman Weston Ltd's product category is Architectural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAFABAJ, Residential Luxury / High-End Home Construction, with a secondary code of HSAPAEAI, Luxury Whole-Home Renovation (High-End Finishes & Custom Build). Its NAICS code is 236115 and its SIC code is 1531.