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The 66-year-old said she plans to “pursue creativity in new areas” as a freelancer and move away from an “all-consuming” industry.
The practice is renowned for its commitment to sustainable design, including its pioneering straw bale house and connected offices at 10 Stoke Orchard Street, Islington, north London.
Completed in 2001, this self-built railway-side infill scheme became home to Wigglesworth and her long-term partner Jeremy Till, along with her studio Sarah Wigglesworth Architects (see AJ 30.01.15) Is this the most influential house of a generation?)
The company’s other notable projects include Bermondsey Cycle Station (2009), Sandal Magna Primary School in Wakefield (2010), Cremorne Riverside Center in Chelsea (2011) and Takeley Primary School in Essex (2012).
In 2019, the practice completed an extension to Kingsgate Primary School in West Hampstead, London, working with client design consultants Architects Collaborative.
Until recently, the practice had a team of 10 people focused on education and residential programs. The studio is one of more than a dozen top architects whose housing projects have been scrapped following the collapse of Croydon Council’s development arm Brick By Brick in 2021.
In an exclusive interview with The AJ, Wigglesworth said her staff had been aware of her intention to leave for several years and had discussed succession plans, but “for personal reasons” [no-one] Are willing to take on this business.”
When asked how the way Sarah Wigglesworth Architects does business has changed since it was founded in 1994, she said: “It has become more commercial and away from the concept of a career.
“Clients are demanding more, everything is competitive and architects need to fund it.”
Wigglesworth was awarded an MBE for services to architecture and was appointed CABE Commissioner in 2010.
Wigglesworth has also been a member of the Kingston Upon Thames Design and Ealing Design Review Panels, and was a member of the Oxford Urban Design Review Panel and the LLDC Quality Panel.
between 1997 and 2016 She is Professor of Architecture at the University of Sheffield.
AJ talks to Sarah Wigglesworth about why she’s closing her studio
- Why did you decide to close the clinic after 30 years? Can you point to any one moment that made you finally make up your mind?
It feels like part of a natural cycle. Thirty years of practice is a reasonable length of time to run a business, and it’s a very draining time. I’m now at a normal retirement age. New practices are emerging behind us, and it’s time to get out of the way and leave the future to them. - What are you personally going to do now?
My plan was to “practice” in other ways. I want to pursue my creativity in new areas. I would be a freelance worker, able to choose what I did and when I did it. - Do you have any jobs that will continue to run until closure? When will it likely end?
Now is a good time for the practice to wrap up, as our current project is on a natural hiatus. They have reached milestones such as planning, waiting for funding, or completion. I will continue to work on one of these jobs as a freelancer. - What did you say to your team? Does this surprise them?
The team has been aware for a few years that I wanted to move on, and we have a policy of disclosure when it comes to finances. Over the past few years, we have been exploring succession planning. None of my employees were willing to take on this business due to personal reasons. - What has been your proudest moment in your thirty years as a clinic leader?
Build a culture based on mutual trust and respect, with EDI at the core. Maintain a strong ethics centered on people and the planet. Hold the flag high for women in the workplace. - How have business practices changed since you first opened the studio in 1994?
It became more commercial and moved away from the concept of a career. Clients are demanding more, everything is competitive and architects need to finance it. - What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own practice?
It’s easy to start practicing, but think about how to quit again in time!
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