Who We Are

Adams & Sutherland  bring a positive and progressive design approach to delivering successful buildings and public spaces. Our work brings together architecture, landscape and urban design to create meaningful environments and uplifting spaces that have a positive impact on all those who use them. 

We are keenly interested in the specific qualities of a place, the physical, historic, economic and cultural realities that we can learn from those who already know, use or inhabit the existing place. Through careful observation, understanding and a considered response to what we find, we seek to develop intelligent strategies that will create inventive, delightful environments that function well but which also exceed expectation. We have experience in conservation practice and listed buildings, and inevitably much of our work takes place within complex existing conditions.

Founding directors Elizabeth Adams and Graeme Sutherland are joined by director Sarah Shaw and senior associate Clara Garcia Gonzales to run the practice.   We work largely in the public realm, on projects with social relevance, and which also have a wide reach. We believe that there are opportunities and richness to be found within constraints and the complexity of multi-stakeholder organisations. Our tenacious approach has been applied to projects ranging from local masterplans, new landscapes, parks and neighbourhood spaces to residential, educational, community and arts buildings, with clients ranging from local boroughs, regeneration agencies, developers and schools to community organisations.