Our History | Keppie

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.

2020

NHS Louisa Jordan

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.

Stobhill Mental Health Estate

Stobhill Mental Health Estate provides a 20-bed adult facility (AAU) and a 20-bed elderly ward (CCC). The key driver of the proposal is the aspiration to provide welcoming and non-clinical spaces that enhance the dignity of their occupants, while addressing the procedural, operational and brief requirements as outlined by NHS GG+C. These points have formed a starting point for the design for the Stobhill Mental Health Estate from the beginning, influencing all key decisions from site arrangement to material choices and finishes. Find out more in the project profile page.

2021

The Halo Kilmarnock

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.

2022

Barclays Campus Glasgow

As Gensler’s collaborative design partner, Keppie was selected as interior architect for the purpose-built Barclays headquarters on the River Clyde. Through developing the interior concepts by Gensler, our role was to deliver a state-of-the-art curated workplace blending new technology with extensive amenities and staff support features for over 3,500 employees across 22 floors. Find out more in the project profile page.

2023

Edmiston House

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.

W Edinburgh

Keppie executed the development and delivery of the Concept Design for the fit-out of W Edinburgh – the first of the brand in Scotland. The hotel, located in the lively St James Quarter, spans across three distinct buildings—The Ribbon Building, James Craig Walk and the Quarter House, together combining 199 bedrooms, 45 suites, a Gym, luxury Spa and a variety of Restaurants and Bars. Find out more in the project profile page.

2024

170 Years of Keppie!

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!

March 2024 The Future of Keppie

The Board Directors of Keppie have been planning for the company’s future, emphasizing the importance of preserving Keppie’s unique culture and values. Managing Director Peter Moran highlights the loyalty and contributions of Keppie employees, stating that the best future owners are the current and future employees. The establishment of an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) aims to foster growth and innovation, ensuring Keppie remains a market leader. The four shareholders will remain in the business, allowing for a period of stability and business as usual following the transfer to the EOT.