Business Details
36 Years
experience
Award-Winning Architects in London & Zurich
Caruso St John has been at the forefront of architectural innovation since its founding in 1990. With offices in London and Zurich, the practice combines decades of experience with fresh perspectives to deliver award-winning projects across commercial, residential, cultural, and leisure sectors. Recognised for excellence through accolades including the RIBA Stirling Prize and Royal Academy membership, we specialise in both new-build and renovation projects, with a particular expertise in UNESCO World Heritage Sites and historic contexts. Our approach prioritises sustainability through adaptive reuse of existing structures, aligning with contemporary environmental imperatives. The practice's principals, Adam Caruso and Peter St John, maintain active roles in architectural education at ETH Zurich and London Metropolitan University, ensuring our work remains informed by cutting-edge research and pedagogy.Collaborations with leading contemporary artists such as Thomas Demand and Damien Hirst enrich our architectural practice, offering unique insights into materiality and spatial drama. Our commitment to quality craftsmanship and contextual sensitivity has resulted in iconic projects like the Newport Street Gallery and Swiss Life Arena. We maintain close client relationships to ensure each project achieves its full potential while balancing economic efficiency with aesthetic ambition. This holistic approach has established us as leaders in creating architecture that is both functional and culturally significant.
Services
Architecture
Building Renovation
Sustainable Design
Cultural Projects
Residential Development
Commercial Architecture
Heritage Conservation
Urban Regeneration
Artistic Collaboration
Masterplanning
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- Established practice with 30+ years of architectural expertise
- Specialists in historic building conservation and adaptive reuse
- Award-winning sustainable design solutions
- Led by Royal Academy members with academic leadership roles
- Proven track record in UNESCO World Heritage Site projects
What people say
Award-winning sustainability
Historic conservation expertise
Innovative spatial solutions
Cultural significance
Architectural excellence
Services
Architecture
Caruso St John creates context-sensitive architectural solutions that balance aesthetic innovation with functional requirements. Our approach integrates rigorous material research with spatial experimentation to produce buildings that respond to their cultural and environmental contexts. Projects range from new cultural institutions to private residences, each demonstrating our commitment to quality craftsmanship and contemporary relevance.
Building Renovation
Specialists in adaptive reuse of historic structures, we transform existing buildings while preserving their architectural integrity. Our conservation work combines traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to extend building lifespans and reduce environmental impact. Recent projects include major renovations of 20th-century industrial buildings into contemporary cultural spaces.
Sustainable Design
Our sustainability approach prioritises material reuse and energy efficiency across all project types. By focusing on adaptive reuse of existing structures, we significantly reduce embodied carbon while developing innovative solutions for low-energy building operations that meet contemporary environmental standards.
Cultural Projects
We create inspiring spaces for cultural institutions that enhance public engagement with art and heritage. Our museum and gallery designs prioritise flexible spatial arrangements while maintaining architectural distinctiveness, as demonstrated in projects like the Newport Street Gallery and Tate Britain reconfiguration.
Commercial Architecture
Our commercial projects deliver functional, aesthetically distinctive workspaces that respond to evolving business needs. Recent office developments incorporate sustainable materials and flexible layouts while maintaining strong architectural identity within urban contexts.
People
Adam Caruso
Co-founder
Co-founder of Caruso St John with over 30 years' experience in architectural design and conservation. Holds professorship at ETH Zurich, combining practice with academic research focused on material culture and historic building adaptation.
Peter St John
Co-founder
Co-founder with extensive expertise in sustainable architecture and urban regeneration. Teaches at London Metropolitan University and has led major projects including the Newport Street Gallery and Swiss Life Arena.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialise in?
We specialise in new-build and renovation projects across cultural, residential, and commercial sectors with particular expertise in historic conservation and sustainable design.
How do you approach sustainable architecture?
Our sustainability focus prioritises adaptive reuse of existing buildings to reduce environmental impact while incorporating energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials.
What notable projects have you completed?
Key projects include the Newport Street Gallery, Swiss Life Arena, Tate Britain reconfiguration, and numerous award-winning building conversions across Europe.
Do you work internationally?
Yes, we operate across Europe with completed projects in the UK, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
How do you handle historic building conservation?
Our approach combines traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to preserve architectural integrity while adapting buildings for contemporary use.
What awards have you received?
We have won the RIBA Stirling Prize, European Heritage Awards, and multiple RIBA National Awards for architectural excellence and conservation work.
