About Us
The architecture of BWA is simple, elegant and timeless. It belies the effort that has gone into its making, and the complexities of the processes by which it is designed and built: it looks as if it was always meant to be there. It belongs. Intensely sensitive to context, the practice is obsessive about plan form, proportions, light, and the use of materials. Every detail is thought through, resulting in buildings that are wholly bespoke.
From its inception in 1987, Barbara Weiss Architects has developed a reputation for providing an exceptionally personal service, based first and foremost on listening to clients. Understanding essential needs and refining aspirations is BWA’s crucial first step towards expertly steering each project through the many stages and endless decision-making required by the progression from design to implementation.
Barbara Weiss Architects believes successful relationships are vital to successful construction projects. Among the large number of clients, contractors and consultants with whom Barbara Weiss Architects regularly works, several have been collaborating with the practice for more than two decades, with repeat business and word-of-mouth recommendations still bringing in the majority of new projects.
Although based in London, Barbara Weiss Architects has built around the UK, and as far away as Los Angeles. The practice is currently home to a team of 10, including a high proportion of women, a wide range of nationalities and a part-time cocker spaniel...
Barbara Weiss, Director
Barbara Weiss was born in Milan in 1954, where she attended Italian schools before spending one year at the Ecole d’Architecture in Geneva. She then transferred to the Architectural Association in London, obtaining her AA Diploma in 1979. She became a member of the RIBA in 1985.
Early work experiences include periods spent at design offices such as Philip Johnson-John Burgee, and Richard Meier in New York; Valle Broggi Burckhardt in Milan; and two most formative phases at Stirling Wilford and Associates in London, first as a student and later as project architect working on large scale buildings and a new town in Italy.
Prior to founding BWA in 1987, Barbara Weiss taught part-time at the Architectural Association. She is also the co-author of two books, including Storage, an international best-seller!, and Do it with an Architect – written with Louis Hellman and aimed at bridging the gap between domestic clients and the profession.
An Assessor for the Civic Trust since 1997, Barbara was appointed as a CABE Design Review panellist for Schools in 2007, and as a judge for the AYA awards in 2012. She is also very involved in mentoring potential young architects for the Social Mobility Foundation, and in tutoring 6th formers from state schools on behalf of The Access Project.
David Cawston, Director
David Cawston is an architect and co-director at Barbara Weiss Architects. He joined the practice in early 2023 and he is currently leading a range of residential, healthcare and community projects, alongside co-ordinating BWA’s business development, corporate strategy, and marketing.
David began his career in practice in 2004 at Cullinan Studio where he worked for 7 years as a director in the cooperative. In 2011 he joined Piercy & Company where he was Associate and then Associate Director. Over his 11 years there, he oversaw projects in the Commercial and Adaptive Re-use sectors as well as co-leading one of the practice’s three studios.
David studied at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne University where he was nominated for the RIBA President’s Medal, and subsequently became a member of the RIBA. He enjoys the academic and theoretical side of architecture and has been a visiting tutor at Kingston University.
Three Things David Likes
● The Salk Institute for Biological Studies (Khan)
● Piazza del Campidoglio (Michelangelo)
● Ocean Park Series (Richard Diebenkorn)
People
Clients
Commercial:
Banca Nazionale del Lavoro Investment Bank
Over the last three decades we have delivered more than 300 private residential clients worldwide, including families and high profile individuals, across the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
Barbara Weiss, Director
David Cawston, Director
David Cawston is an architect and co-director at Barbara Weiss Architects. He joined the practice in early 2023 and he is currently leading a range of residential, healthcare and community projects, alongside co-ordinating BWA’s business development, corporate strategy, and marketing.
David began his career in practice in 2004 at Cullinan Studio where he worked for 7 years as a director in the cooperative. In 2011 he joined Piercy & Company where he was Associate and then Associate Director. Over his 11 years there, he oversaw projects in the Commercial and Adaptive Re-use sectors as well as co-leading one of the practice’s three studios.
David studied at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne University where he was nominated for the RIBA President’s Medal, and subsequently became a member of the RIBA. He enjoys the academic and theoretical side of architecture and has been a visiting tutor at Kingston University.
Three Things David Likes
● The Salk Institute for Biological Studies (Khan)
● Piazza del Campidoglio (Michelangelo)
● Ocean Park Series (Richard Diebenkorn)
