Practice
Who we are
Hugh Broughton Architects is one of the established talents of contemporary British architecture. Our designs have won many awards nationally and internationally. Our projects have been extensively published and exhibited around the world.
The company was founded in 1995 by Hugh Broughton and has been built around a core of experienced architects who have worked together for many years and who understand each other’s strengths and skills. Our work is carried out in a friendly, lively and financially secure atmosphere. It matters to us that the people who work in our office have fun, because a great team spirit allows us to find the most creative design solutions to every challenge.
Hugh Broughton Architects is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
What we do
Hugh Broughton Architects creates remarkable buildings fit for the most complex and challenging of circumstances. From resilient structures able to withstand Antarctic ice and winds to contemporary interventions which preserve and enhance historic landmarks for generations to come, our success comes from a truly collaborative approach honed over decades of working with multi-national and multi-disciplinary teams.
We have become global leaders in the design of scientific stations for the Polar regions. Our empathy with context and sensitivity to the environment underpins our design approach here as much as it does in every other instance. Sustainability and resilience are embedded from concept to delivery. For us, responding to and supporting the natural environment is as important in old buildings as it is in state-of-the-art science research bases in remote locations.
From the outset we strive to understand the needs of our clients and the ways in which they work. We humanise the challenges, breaking down problems, listening to experts in the field and on the ground. Combining rigorous research with openness to innovation and dialogue, the best, most creative responses emerge. Sometimes that calls for subtlety, at other times boldness and visibility.
We combine a pragmatic understanding of the constraints and challenges of every project – economic, physical and cultural – with our commitment to an inclusive and equitable world. We believe the best contemporary architecture should meet all these objectives while delighting audiences with an inspired marriage of light, form, and flowing spaces enriched by meticulous attention to detail and judicious moments of drama.
Practice awards
Architizer A+ Awards 2024 - Best Small Firm in the World
BD Public Building Architect of the Year 2023
BD International Breakthrough Architect of the Year Award 2012
Directors
Hugh Broughton
MA (HONS) DIP ARCH RIBA
Hugh Broughton trained as an architect at The University of Edinburgh, qualifying in 1990. He founded Hugh Broughton Architects in 1995. The practice is based in London and focusses on the delivery of high-quality cultural, scientific and educational projects in sensitive settings for institutions and governments.
In 2005 Hugh’s practice won an international competition for the design of the UK’s most southerly Antarctic research station – Halley VI. Hugh’s practice has gone on to win a string of design competitions for remote projects and is now considered the world’s leading designer of research facilities in the Polar Regions. Currently Hugh is leading the practice’s ongoing work for the British Antarctic Survey, Australian Antarctic Division and the US based National Science Foundation.
Alongside work on remote projects, Hugh also specialises in the design of projects in sensitive locations. Recent and ongoing projects include the conservation of Sir Christopher Wren’s Grade 1 listed Painted Hall in Greenwich, the conservation and enhancement of visitor facilities at Clifford’s Tower in York, the restoration of the Grade 2* listed Dockyard Church at Sheerness, the design of archaeological shelters at the World Heritage Site of Nea Paphos in Cyprus for the Getty Conservation Institute, the Conservation of the Salwa Palace Majlis in Saudi Arabia and the de-carbonisation of the Prince of Wales Greenhouse and the Palm House at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Hugh’s work has won over 60 national and international awards. He has lectured around the world and his work has been internationally published.
He regularly sits on award and competition juries, in which capacity he has been a regular Jury Chair for the RIBA Competitions Office. Hugh is the author of a number of articles on architecture and two books investigating design in Madrid and London. He is also a Trustee of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust.
Hugh firmly believes that the best projects evolve out of far-reaching collaboration and stakeholder engagement. His work is characterised by creativity, pragmatism and a concern for the future. Hugh’s humanist design approach is thoughtful and responsive, developed from a deep-seated passion for history.
Journal
The Times May 2021
Could humans live on Mars? Why the architecture of polar bases holds the key
The revived appetite for space exploration is as much of a challenge for architects as it is for engineers as they draw up plans for how we might colonise the solar system, writes Jonathan Morrison
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The Believer April 2020
Eco Thoughts: An Interview with Hugh Broughton
“When we arrived it was overcast and so cold and I could hardly imagine spending more than a few hours there let alone a few weeks. But its amazing how it grabs you. The cold is also incredibly enlivening as is the sense of isolation, which is quickly countered by the support offered by a small and very tightly knit community all working with a single purpose.”
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Architecture New Zealand November 2018
An Antarctic collaboration
New Zealand’s research station at Scott Base, established by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1957, is nearing the end of its functional life and requires a “modern, low-impact, efficient base” to support the future needs of the country’s scientists and strategic interests in a better way. British firm Hugh Broughton Architects (HBA) and New Zealand practice Jasmax are currently working on proposals for its redevelopment. Justine Harvey interviewed HBA’s Hugh Broughton and Stephen Middleton from Jasmax about designing in Antarctica and working in one of the most collaborative design teams imaginable.
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Architects Choice November 2018
Hugh Broughton profile
Hugh Broughton is founder and director of Hugh Broughton Architects. Editor, Jade Tilley, talks to Hugh about modernist influences and the logistics of working in remote locations.
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Stories from Supple June 2018
Buildings for extreme environments
Hugh Broughton is a British architect and one of the world's leading designers of buildings for extreme, isolated environments. In 2005 his practice Hugh Broughton Architects won the international competition for the design of a new British research station in Antarctica. This has led to commissions in other extreme, isolated environments as well as further commissions in polar regions. I spoke to Hugh about the polar research station he designed for the British Antarctic Survey as well as some of his projects in other inaccessible environments.
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AIA Dallas Springboard April 2017
A conversation with Hugh Broughton
In a recent Dallas Architecture Forum speaking engagement at The Magnolia Theatre, Hugh Broughton showcased some of the practice's work for the Polar regions as well as other renovation and rehabilitation projects.
The following day, Ryan Flener of Good Fulton & Farrell Architects, had the opportunity to meet with him to discuss his ideas, practice, and thoughts on Dallas.
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inter - view December 2016
Humanistic Modernism
While visiting Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Hugh Broughton sat down with Phillip Denny to talk about Antarctica, Ruskin and “humanistic modernism.”
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Concrete Quarterly February 2016
Lasting Impression: Mindblowing Sounds and Multisensory Experiences
Concrete Quarterly asked Hugh Broughton to reflect on the concrete buildings which have most inspired him.
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Museums Journal January 2016
The Architects
How do architectural practices go about designing and reimagining museums and galleries? Reporting for Museums Journal, John Holt interviewed Hugh Broughton to find out.
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Building Design September 2015
Hugh Broughton's inspiration: Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid
Hugh Broughton knows the Spanish capital’s buildings intimately but the one that really stood out was Rafael Moneo’s magnificent art gallery.
By Pamela Buxton
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Awards
Practice Awards
Architizer A+ Awards 2024 - Best Small Firm in the World
BD Public Building Architect of the Year 2023
BD International Breakthrough Architect of the Year Award 2012
Sheerness Dockyard Church
RIBA National Award for Architecture 2025
RIBA South East Building of the Year Award 2025
RIBA South East Conservation Project of the Year Award 2025
RIBA South East Award 2025
RIBA South East Project Architect of the Year Award 2025
Natural Stone Awards 2024 - Stonework: Repair & Restoration (Commercial) - Highly Commended
RICS Awards 2024 - National Project of the Year
RICS Awards 2024 - Heritage Project of the Year
Building Design Awards 2024 - Creative Conservation Architect of the Year
Civic Trust Awards 2024 - Highly Commended
Georgian Group Architectural Awards 2023 - Re-use of a Georgian Building Winner
Clifford's Tower
RIBA Regional Yorkshire Award 2024
RIBA Regional Conservation Award 2024
RIBA Regional Client of the Year 2024
Civic Trust Award 2024
Dezeen Awards 2023 - Highly Commended Heritage Project of the Year
National Federation of Builders Awards 2023 - Heritage & Conservation Building Project of the Year
York Design Award 2022 – The John Shannon Conservation Award
York Design Award 2022 – People’s Choice
York Design Award 2022 – Young People’s Award
Constructing Excellence, Yorkshire & Humber Awards 2022 - Conservation and Restoration Project of the Year
Constructing Excellence, Yorkshire & Humber Awards 2022 - Winner of Winners
Structural Timber Awards 2022 - Retail & Leisure Project of the Year
Structural Timber Awards 2022 - Winner of Winners
The Painted Hall
Civic Trust Award 2020
Civic Trust Conservation Commendation 2020
Civic Trust Access Commendation 2020
Georgian Group Architectural Awards 2019 'Best Restoration of a Public Building'
RIBA National Award for Architecture 2019
RIBA London Award 2019 ‘Conservation Award’
RIBA London Award 2019
AIA UK 2019 Design Awards 'Professional Award Commendation'
Museums and Heritage Awards 2019 'Conservation Project of the Year'
New London Awards 2018 - Winner (Unbuilt Category)
The Portland Collection
American Architecture Prize 2016 - Silver Award
RIBA National Award for Architecture 2016
RIBA East Midlands Award 2016
RIBA East Midlands Building of the Year Award 2016
RIBA East Midlands Conservation Award 2016
RIBA East Midlands Sustainability Award 2016
Halley VI Antarctic Research Station
BCIA People’s Champion Winner 2017
American Architecture Prize 2016 - Gold Award
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Award 2015
Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award 2014
6th International Design Awards First Prize: Institutional
ICE 'Designed in London' Award 2014
Architizer A+ ‘Arts & Science’ Award 2014
Architizer A+ Higher Education/Research Award 2014
Engineering News Record (ENR) Best Global Project 2014
Engineering News Record (ENR) Best Global Education/Research Project 2014
Civic Trust Awards Special Award for Sustainability 2014
Civic Trust Awards 2014
The Structural Awards Award for Sustainability 2013
British Construction Industry Awards (BCIA) International Project of the Year 2013
RIBA International Award for Architecture 2013
AIA UK Excellence in Design Winner 2013
The British Safety Council Awards International Safety Award 2011
Maidstone Museum East Wing
RIBA Downland Award 2012
Kent Design Awards 2012, Special Commendation
Civic Trust Awards 2013, Commendation
AJ Retrofit Awards 2013 Retrofit of the Year Award
AJ Retrofit Awards 2013 Heritage Award
AJ Retrofit Awards 2013 Cultural Buildings Award
British Council Malaysia
International Property Federation Award of Distinction 2004
Malaysian Institute of Architects Award for Excellence 2004
Malaysian Institute of Architects Special Award for Colour in Buildings 2004
Blair Castle Visitor Facilities
RIBA Awards 2001
Civic Trust Awards 2000, Commendation
National Lighting Design Award 2000
South Wimbledon District Guides
Civic Trust Awards 2001, Commendation
RIBA Awards 2000
Clients
Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR)
CH2M Hill
Channel 5
Colliers International
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientÃficas
Cube Real Estate
Délifrance
Department for International Development
Development Securities
Embassy of Spain
Getty Conservation Institute / Department of Antiquities, Cyprus
Global Investments Funds Ltd
GVA Grimley
Hague Securities
Historic Scotland
Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
Institution of Structural Engineers
Kippendavie Group Trust
Korean Polar Research Institute (KOPRI)
National Galleries of Scotland
National Trust for Scotland
QinetiQ / Ministry of Defence
Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust
Spot Property Company
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
The Lucas Cultural Arts Museum
The Royal College of Surgeons of England
The Royal Society of Chemistry
The Trustees of the Harley Foundation
Waitrose
Wallace Collection
Workspace Group
World Intellectual Property Organisation