Press Releases February 2, 2026

Lisa Pike Appointed Higher Education Sector Lead of Perkins&Will’s London Studio

An architect, strategist, and regenerative design advocate, Pike brings more than 15 years of global experience guiding institutions through complex estate transformation and evolving models of learning, across the UK and beyond.

LONDON—Perkins&Will has named Lisa Pike as higher education practice leader for its London studio, strengthening the practice’s leadership in a sector undergoing profound change. Her appointment comes at a time when universities and research institutions are reassessing how their campuses support teaching, research, student life and long-term resilience. Pike brings more than 15 years of UK and international experience leading complex projects across higher education, civic and government, life sciences and mixed-use masterplanning.

In her new role, Pike will provide strategic leadership for the studio’s work with higher education clients, helping institutions adapt estates and facilities to changing pedagogies, demographic shifts and sustainability goals. She will work closely with university leaders to align ambitions for culture, space, and outcomes that support both current needs and future directions.

Beyond the classroom

At a moment when universities are rethinking how their estates support teaching, research and student experience, the London studio’s work shapes learning environments that are immersive, social and alive. Learning extends beyond the classroom into the in‑between spaces that enable connection, well-being and exchange.

“Regenerative design helps universities turn legacy and constraint into long-term opportunity,” says Pike. Regenerative design allows these environments to adapt as pedagogy evolves, creating places that do more than teach—they transform.

Team meeting at modern office with laptops and discussions.

Creating spaces that will serve generations of students to come

As a research-led practice, Perkins&Will approaches higher education projects with a focus on long-term performance and adaptability. The studio works closely with clients to understand academic priorities, estate constraints and future growth, using evidence-based design to support resilient outcomes. Existing buildings, heritage assets and constrained sites are treated as opportunities for strategic renewal, helping institutions make the most of what they already have while planning for change.

The London studio has partnered with institutions taking bold, strategic steps forward, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Bath, the University of Greenwich, the University of Exeter, and the London College of Communication, UAL. Across these projects, the team balances heritage and innovation, works within complex physical constraints, and responds to evolving pedagogical models, while pursuing regenerative outcomes that future-proof the student experience.

With nearly 90 years of experience in education and research environments, Perkins&Will’s global practice continues to help institutions address strategic challenges through thoughtful design. The London studio’s work centres on the people, places and systems that enable resilient and future-ready campuses.

“Universities aren’t just building and refurbishing; they’re shaping the future for generations of students to come,” adds Pike. “It’s a challenge we love. With no problem too big or too small to stretch our imagination or advance our regenerative mindset, we help our clients deliver spaces that embody each institution’s ethos with resilience and resonance.”

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About Perkins&Will

Perkins&Will, an interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm, was founded in 1935 on the belief that design has the power to transform lives. The firm is committed to creating a better, beautiful, more equitable world through Living Design, an approach that integrates environmental, social, and design considerations to advance ecological health and well-being. Interior Design named Perkins&Will a “Sustainability Giant” in 2024; Architizer named it the world’s “Best Sustainable Firm” in 2023; and Metropolis named it “Firm of the Year” in 2022 for its industry leadership in advancing climate action and social justice. Fast Company named Perkins&Will one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in Architecture three times, and in 2021, it added the firm to its list of Brands That Matter—making Perkins&Will the first architecture practice in the world to earn the distinction.

With an international team of more than 2,500 professionals, Perkins&Will has over 30 studios worldwide, providing integrated services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, and landscape architecture. Partners include Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects; McLennan Design; Portland; Nelson\Nygaard; and Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR).

About Perkins&Will’s London Studio

Our London team works from its self-designed, self-built studio at 150 Holborn in the Midtown area of the city. Co-creation and social connectivity were central principles in the design of 150 Holborn and as a hub of collaboration, the London studio recognizes that the combined knowledge and expertise of multiple design disciplines enables projects that are holistically responsive in both approach and delivery.Unchanged: The London team works from its self-designed, self-built studio at 150 Holborn in the Midtown area of the city. Co-creation and social connectivity were central principles in the design of 150 Holborn and as a hub of collaboration, the London studio recognizes that the combined knowledge and expertise of multiple design disciplines enables projects that are holistically responsive in both approach and delivery.

Led by Jo Wright, the studio’s award-winning areas of practice span the Corporate and Commercial, Health, Higher Education, K-12 Education, Science and Technology, Workplace Consultancy, and Urban Design sectors.

Lisa Pike Appointed Higher Education Sector Lead of Perkins&Will’s London Studio

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