Jestico + Whiles

Jestico + Whiles. Jestico + Whiles is a prominent international architecture and design practice founded in London in 1977. The practice is renowned for its innovative and sustainable approach across a diverse portfolio, including hospitality, residential, workplace, education, and transport projects. With studios in London, Prague, and Belfast, it has delivered acclaimed buildings across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

History

The practice was established in 1977 by architects Tony Jestico and John Whiles, who had previously collaborated at the Architects’ Co-Partnership. Early work included residential and community projects in London, such as the award-winning Marquess Road Estate in Islington. The practice's reputation grew significantly in the 1990s with a series of pioneering hotel projects, including the minimalist The Hempel in Bayswater and the conversion of a Victorian warehouse into The Zetter Hotel in Clerkenwell. This period marked its expansion into the Czech Republic, leading to the establishment of a permanent studio in Prague to serve growing work across Central Europe.

Notable projects

The practice's portfolio is distinguished by its variety and architectural ambition. In the hospitality sector, key works include the sleek Andel's Hotel in Prague and the Park Inn in Prague. Major urban regeneration projects feature the iconic Cube building in Birmingham, a mixed-use development that transformed a city-center site, and the Greenwich Millennium Village, a large-scale sustainable housing project in London. Significant education projects include the University of Warwick’s Faculty of Arts building and the Brayford Pool campus for the University of Lincoln. Transport and infrastructure work is exemplified by the design of Westminster station on the London Underground Jubilee line extension and the InterCity Class 91 locomotive for British Rail.

Design philosophy and approach

Central to the practice's ethos is a commitment to sustainable architecture and environmental design, integrating low-energy strategies and innovative materials from the outset of every project. The design process is highly collaborative, involving close consultation with clients, stakeholders, and end-users to ensure functionality and aesthetic excellence. This approach is underpinned by rigorous research into building technology, passive design, and urban context, resulting in buildings that are both contextually responsive and forward-looking. The practice is also known for its expertise in transforming complex historic buildings, as seen in projects for the National Trust and various adaptive reuse schemes across Europe.

Awards and recognition

The practice has received widespread critical acclaim, securing numerous prestigious industry awards over several decades. These include multiple RIBA Awards for projects such as The Hempel, The Zetter Hotel, and the University of Lincoln campus. It has also been honored with Civic Trust Awards for its contribution to the public realm and several FX International Interior Design Awards for interior projects. Its sustainable design leadership has been recognized with awards from the British Council for Offices and commendations from BREEAM.

Key personnel

The founding partners, Tony Jestico and John Whiles, provided the creative and strategic direction for the practice for over three decades, establishing its core values. The current leadership includes Directors such as James Dilley, who leads the London studio, and Tomáš Jiránek, heading the Prague office. Other influential figures have included Sunand Prasad, a former senior partner who later served as President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and Kathryn Firth, who contributed significantly to major masterplanning projects before her appointment as Chief of Design at the London Legacy Development Corporation.

Category:Architectural firms based in London Category:Companies established in 1977