History

Part of the Scottish Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was a temporary hospital, to be  delivered by the Scottish Government in conjunction with NHS National Services Scotland (NHSNSS). The resultant hospital – known as the NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital – is a step-down facility for patients recovering from COVID-19. The priority of 300 beds were made available by mid-April 2020, with a further requirement to provide a total of over 1,000 beds thereafter. The hospital facilities have been planned within the existing Scottish Event Campus buildings in Glasgow. Keppie were contacted by the NHSNSS on the Friday afternoon of the initial Government meetings, and the project was completed and ready to accept its first patients only 23 days later. Find out more in the project profile page.

As part of the wider regeneration of the former Johnnie Walker bottling plant site, the brief was to create a vibrant, sustainable lifestyle quarter combining commercial, educational, cultural, and leisure uses—all powered by renewable energy. Phase 1 of the masterplan, the HALO Enterprise & Innovation Hub, was completed in July 2021. Located in the site’s south-east corner, the four-storey mixed-use building sets a benchmark for innovation, sustainability, and design quality across the development. Find out more in the project profile page.

A bold new pavilion adjacent to Archibald Leitch’s iconic B-listed Main Stand at Ibrox Stadium. The new retail and events hub featuring a museum, café, retail, and flexible event spaces, provides valuable amenities for the local community. It has become a vibrant focal point on match days, offering a dynamic environment for families and visitors with pre- and post-match entertainment. Find out more in the project profile page.

2024 is an extremely significant year for Keppie. 170 years ago, John Honeyman set up a small architectural studio in Glasgow and from this seed, his firm developed and grew into one of Scotland’s largest ever design practices; one which still bears the name of Honeyman’s first partner, John Keppie.

The story of an architectural practice is as much the story of its people and its patrons as it is the portfolio of work. Our story is one of innovation, resilience, and trend-setting. Our predecessors set a high bar for inspiring, personable, and dynamic leadership, and we are incredibly proud to be the custodians of a rich and diverse Scottish heritage. There is barely a city or town in the country that doesn’t have a building designed by the talented people who have worked for the firm.

The Keppie of 2024 is an internationally successful, people-focused design practice. What better way to celebrate Keppie’s 170th Anniversary than with our greatest asset … Team Keppie … watch the video here!

On 1st August 2025, Keppie appointed three new board directors, Suzanne Mackrell, Neil Buchan and Neil Whatley. They became the first new directors of Keppie since the directors Peter Moran, Fraser Low, Richard MacDonald and David Ross, made the decision in March 2024 to transition into Employee Ownership.

These new appointments saw vision for enhancing our leadership team and driving a vision for future growth and development. Each director brings a wealth of experience in the design and delivery of some of our most significant and award winning projects, and contribute to our commitment to design excellence and client satisfaction.

Speaking on behalf of the new directors, Suzanne Mackrell said, “Transferring to Employee Ownership last year created a platform from which we can build on Keppie’s 170 year legacy, allowing a new generation of leaders to evolve the strong foundations built by the current board. The opportunity to become a Director of Keppie, our dynamic practice with such rich history and heritage, is a huge privilege. Having collaborated closely together for the past 2 decades, my fellow new Directors and I, recognise that we all bring different attributes to the board, and in that diversity lies our collective strength. We look forward to writing the next chapter of the Keppie story and helping to shape the future of the business for generations to come.”