David Chipperfield Architects London
David Chipperfield Architects was founded in 1985 in London. The office’s earliest work included retail and private residential projects in the city, but went on to include projects in Japan, as well as successful competitions in Germany and Italy. Today, the office’s 100 staff continue to work across a range of architectural projects in the UK and around the world.
From the outset, David Chipperfield Architects London has maintained a close connection to architectural culture, sharing its first office space in Marylebone with 9H Gallery. The office has since occupied studios in Camden, Waterloo and Aldwych, and has recently moved to a new home in Fitzrovia.
The office has previously occupied studios in Camden, Waterloo and Aldwych has recently established a new home in Fitzrovia.
David Chipperfield Architects London is deeply connected to its local context and is an active participant in the city’s built environment both through projects and advocacy. The practice is a member of the Centre for London think tank and of New London Architecture, and a supporter of the Architecture Foundation. These connections are further reinforced by David Chipperfield’s role as a Mayor’s Design Advocate.
Together with the wider practice, David Chipperfield Architects London is a vocal advocate for sustainable architecture and has committed to a number of sustainability pledges. The London office was a leading signatory to the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge, AJ Retrofit and Architects Declare and is currently working with the UK Green Building Council. Through its work, the office is committed to deepening its ambitions to address the climate emergency and train its staff to ensure that sustainable principles and clear targets are embedded into the process of every project.
One of several all-staff sustainability workshops that were held throughout 2022.
To encourage expansive, creative and critical thinking among all staff, the office fosters a dynamic studio culture through studio-wide design reviews, thematic discussions and a programme of internal talks, symposia and events which encompass a broad range of participants and disciplines.
Reflecting the city’s multicultural society, the London office is proud of its diversity. The current staff includes 40 nationalities and 30 different languages, more than half identify as female or non-binary and over a third are from under-represented ethnic groups. All members of the office are actively encouraged to participate in internal advocacy groups focusing on LGBT+ visibility, principles of diversity and inclusion, and gender parity both within the office and the wider profession.
The 2023 Symposium was hosted at the Ironmongers' Hall and included a range of talks, walks and tours touching on issues beyond the boundaries of daily architectural practice.
David Chipperfield Architects London staff are also engaged in education and mentoring to support the next generation of talent, working with young people from primary and secondary school to university level. Beyond connections with students, David Chipperfield Architects London proactively aims to promote discourse around architecture within the general public, partnering with public events such as the London Festival of Architecture.
As a community of people, David Chipperfield Architects London adheres to the principles of transparency, honesty and collaboration. The studio continually looks to improve its working processes and establish a healthy, stimulating environment in which people can create innovative projects of enduring value.
Cultural Maze team Bruno De Marco, Tomi Balogun and Zhané Phillips with their project ‘Roots of Heritage’, the People’s Pavilion 2023 winner supported by David Chipperfield Architects London and Price & Myers.
David Chipperfield participated in the London Festival of Architecture 2022 ‘What Next?’ panel discussion on architecture’s response to the urgent environmental and social crises of our time. The event was hosted in Hoxton Press, a building designed by the practice.
The London office organises regular tours and events and in 2022 all staff travelled to Lyon to see, among other things, a recently completed office building, designed by the practice.
