Faith

Since our founder Donovan Purcell was appointed Surveyor of the Fabric at Ely Cathedral in 1960, our practice has built an enduring reputation for understanding the unique needs and opportunities that come with working on sacred buildings.

This expertise has been passed through generations of our architects, who understand both the specific needs and significance of these buildings. We work with all faith groups and denominations, delivering projects that range in scale from sensitive repair works to large-scale reorders and development projects.

Ingrained in community

Central to our approach is a commitment to building strong, collaborative relationships with our clients and stakeholders. We take time to understand each place of worship’s mission, values, and aspirations, ensuring the buildings continue to serve both their communities and spiritual purposes.

We provide expertise and support to many of the UK and Asia Pacific’s national and regional regulatory and advisory panels, including the Church Buildings Council, Cathedral Fabric Commission for England, Diocesan Advisory Committees, the Uniting Church in Australia, and the Chinese Temples Committee.  

Balancing heritage and climate

Our local presence enables us to engage deeply with the communities we serve, while our standing as a leading global practice in conservation and heritage ensures we bring the highest level of expertise to every project. We help our clients navigate challenges such as funding, future use, and long-term sustainability, and we have a strong track record of supporting successful funding applications.

We are also proud to support the Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon 2030 target. We are delivering net carbon zero projects for the Church of England and Roman Catholic Church. We are also proud to support the Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon 2030 target as a partner on its Technical Support Services Advisory Panel.

By combining our heritage and sustainability expertise, we deliver practical and innovative solutions that balance conservation with climate responsibility.

We help our clients address financial and technical challenges, improve accessibility, and keep their buildings active, inclusive, and relevant for future generations.