Skip to content

James Gorst Architects

  • Home
  • Projects
    • Projects
  • Practice
    • Profile
    • People
    • Contact
  • Projects

Profile

James Gorst Architects was established in 1981 and for over forty years we have collaborated with our clients to realise their architectural ambitions as they change over the course of a lifetime.

We provide a uniquely tailored architectural service encompassing all of your properties from listed townhouses and apartments in the world’s capitals to large, contemporary residences in the British countryside and beyond.

Our considerable experience in gaining planning permissions and consents for challenging sites has allowed us to produce some of the largest new residences in the United Kingdom alongside the refurbishment of Royal Exchange in the City of London and the construction of a new Orthodox chapel on the island of Mykonos, Greece.

Through these exciting projects we have earned a reputation for sensitive and highly crafted work, which is technically sophisticated and rigorously detailed. We rely on a trusted network of professionals and craftsmen to deliver the highest quality of workmanship.

We have an established reputation in the world of furniture and interior design and we regularly collaborate with artists and textile designers. In our view, a sensitive approach towards the subtle intimacies of the interior is as important as the ability to handle the challenge of architectural form. Our approach is to build a close relationship of trust and collaboration with you as our client to produce award winning architecture and interiors.

Awards

  • 2024 – RIBA National Award - New Temple Complex
  • 2024 – RIBA South Building of the Year – New Temple Complex
  • 2024 – RIBA Sustainability Awards – New Temple Complex
  • 2024 – RIBA Project Architect of the Year
  • 2024 – Civic Trust National Panel Award – New Temple Complex
  • 2024 – Civic Trust Sustainability Award – New Temple Complex
  • 2024 – Civic Trust Award – New Temple Complex
  • 2023 – Wood Awards - Gold Award - New Temple Complex
  • 2023 – Wood Awards - Public Sector - New Temple Complex
  • 2023 – AJ Awards - Design of the Year - New Temple Complex
  • 2023 – AJ Awards - Faith Building - New Temple Complex
  • 2023 – World Architecture Festival - New Temple Complex
  • 2023 – Architectural Masterprize - New Temple Complex
  • 2023 – Structural Timber - Overall Winner - Temple Complex
  • 2024 – Frame Magazine – Cultural Space of the Year
  • 2023 – ESC Quality of Place Award – Castle Community Rooms
  • 2019 – RIBA National Award Winner – Hannington Farm
  • 2017 – BD Architect of the Year Award
  • 2016 – RIBA National Award Winner – Fulford Farm
  • 2015 – AJ Small Projects Finalist – Greek Chapel
  • 2014 – RIBA Suffolk Craftsmanship Award – Hurworth House
  • 2014 – RIBA Award – Brick House
  • 2014 – Manser Medal Longlist – Brick House
  • 2010 – Manser Medal Shortlist – Leaf House
  • 2010 – RIBA Award – Leaf House
  • 2004 – Manser Medal Shortlist – Wakelins
  • 2004 – RIBA Award – Wakelins
  • 2003 – Sussex Heritage Trust Award – Whithurst Lodge
  • 2002 – RIBA Award – Whithurst Lodge
  • 1997 – Civic Trust Award – Glebe Place
  • 1988 – Civic Trust Award – Gibson Square

Publications

  • The Timeless Home, Lund Humphries, 2019

People

James Gorst — Founder

MA(Cantab), Dip Arch, RIBA, Guild of Artworkers

After reading architecture at Cambridge, James worked for Sir Denys Lasdun and John Outram before starting his own practice in 1981. He has lectured at the Royal Academy and has taught at various schools of architecture as well as being an RIBA external examiner.

David Roy — Director

BSc, Dip Arch, M Arch, ARB, RIBA

David studied at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, he worked for Pierre d’Avione Architects, London and Candelepas Associates, Australia before returning to The Bartlett to complete a Masters in Architectural Practice. He joined James Gorst Architects in 2005 and is a visiting critic and lecturer at various London Universities.

Steven Wilkinson — Director

BSc(Hons), Dip Arch, ARB

Steve joined the practice in 2016 and as project architect has led the design for the multiple award-winning New Temple Complex, completed in 2022. Steve has presented the practice’s work internationally and through his experience of sustainable timber construction, he is involved with a number of timber development industry leaders in progressing the use of timber in the UK.

Antje Weihen — Architect

B Arch(Hons), Dip Arch, ARB

Antje worked with James Gorst Architects in 2012-2015 before taking some time away from full-time practice to focus on her training and work as a furniture maker, returning in 2023. She previously worked for Skene Catling de la Pena and Lynch Architects designing bespoke residential projects and cultural spaces. Antje teaches an undergraduate design studio at London Metropolitan University.

Vasilis Appios — Architect

BSc(Hons), MArch (AADipl)

Vasilis studied at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and the Architectural Association in London. He joined us in 2021, and has professional experience working on residential, urban and educational projects as well as museum and exhibition design in the UK, Greece and Cyprus.

Jerome Flinders — Collaborator

BSc(Hons), Dip Arch, ARB

Jerome is currently working on the extensive restoration and extension of a Grade 1 Listed Robert Adam townhouse. He previously worked in India for Studio Mumbai and for SBA on large-scale mixed-use development in Westminster. He has led hand-drawing workshops at CSM and the AA and attended The Bartlett School of Architecture.

Contact

London Office

James Gorst Architects
58 Britton Street, Clerkwenwell, London, EC1M 5UT

david@jamesgorstarchitects.com
T: +44 (0)20 7336 7140

Suffolk Office

James Gorst Architects
Amadeus House, Church Street, Framlingham, IP13 9BE

david@jamesgorstarchitects.com
T: 44 (0)20 7336 7140

Follow

Instagram: @jamesgorstarchitects.

Press

Please send all press enquiries to info@jamesgorstarchitects.com.

Jobs

James Gorst Architects are an equal opportunities employer. We encourage all job applicants, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, chronic illness, religion or beliefs. Please send applications to info@jamesgorstarchitects.com.

Privacy

We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy in accordance with General Data Protection requirements.

James Gorst Architects only retains personal data on the grounds of legitimate interest in line with GDPR Regulations (EU Regulations 2016/679). No information on staff, clients or suppliers is shared with third parties or used for other purposes.

Cookies are used on this website but personal information is not tracked or retained.

James Gorst’s work has helped to heal one of the most unnecessary and painful wounds in contemporary British architecture: between the traditionalists and the modernists. Like Louis Kahn in the United States or Peter Zumthor in Switzerland, Gorst reminds us that modernism can be beautifully reconciled with the underlying principles of classicism and that modern materials and idioms can carry all the elegance, dignity and grandeur associated with historical masterpieces.

Alain de Botton

© 2025 James Gorst Architects. All rights reserved.

Design: Tom Green Design. Build: Designagogo.