What are the in the World?

Building Design Online’s 2024 survey of the largest firms in the world highlights the dominance of established industry leaders alongside the emergence of new players and regions. continues to hold its position as the largest architecture firm in the world, with over $1.5 billion in fee income and 3,065 architects. Its legacy, built since 1965, includes a diverse portfolio ranging from urban planning to commercial design, entertainment complexes, and brand innovation.

HDR secures second place among the largest architecture firms in the world, with a fee income of $700 million to $799 million and a workforce of 1,544 architects. Its multidisciplinary expertise spans architecture, engineering, and environmental services, delivering projects across 60 countries. , a Tokyo-based firm with over 115 years of history, ranks third with $500 million to $599 million in income and 1,347 architects. Its focus on architecture, urban planning, and environmental design underscores its position as a global leader.

, ranked in our Best architecture firms in Sweden, the only European firm in the top five, stands out for its sustainable approach to urban development. Employing 1,504 architects, Sweco earns $170 million to $179 million annually, with projects across multiple European countries. The UK, a significant contributor to the rankings, features renowned names like (#20) and (#28), reflecting the country’s architectural prowess.

sweco best architecture firms in sweden

Courtesy: Sweco

The largest architecture firms in the World in terms of turnover and employees are

2024 Rank 2023 Rank Company Name Country Architects Employed Fee Income (US$)
1 1 Gensler US 3,065 Above 1.5bn
2 – Arcadis Netherlands 1,956 370m-379m
3 2 HDR US 1,544 700m-799m
4 4 Sweco Sweden 1,504 170m-179m
5 3 Nikken Sekkei Japan 1,347 500m-599m
6 8 Heerim Architects & Planners South Korea 908 180m-189m
7 6 Perkins Eastman US 824 270m-279m
8 7 Haeahn Architecture South Korea 768 140m-149m
9 10 HKS US 761 330m-339m
10 9 DLR Group US 734 380m-389m
11 12 Aedas China 731 220m-229m
12 11 CannonDesign US 725 230m-239m
13 15 ATP Architects Engineers Austria 714 190m-199m
14 13 Surbana Jurong Singapore 681 100m-109m
15 14 SmithGroup US 645 280m-289m
16 18 Germany 578 80m-89m
17 17 Nihon Sekkei Japan 558 150m-159m
18 20 HPP Architekten Germany 552 50m-59m
19 19 Stantec Canada 551 340m-349m
20 22 Foster + Partners UK 544 400m-499m
21 23 HOK US 475 320m-329m
22 – DA Group Urban Design & Architecture Co South Korea 468 50m-59m
23 24 BDP UK 464 90m-99m
24 21 ZGF Architects US 456 140m-149m
25 27 Mitsubishi Jisho Design Japan 437 150m-159m
26 26 Kume Sekkei Japan 436 90m-99m
27 29 LWK + Partners China 381 60m-69m
28 30 Azusa Sekkei Co Japan 369 80m-90m
28 31 Zaha Hadid Architects UK 369 70m-79m
30 36 Lemay Canada 365 110m-119m
31 38 PBK US 356 210m-219m
32 28 NBBJ US 350 230m-239m
33 35 DLN Architects China 343 –
33 32 Norway 343 50m-59m
35 46 P&T Group China 338 100m-109m
36 25 Lacime Architects China 336 50m-59m
37 33 Kunwon South Korea 333 100m-109m
38 34 National Engineering Bureau UAE 311 70m-79m
39 40 Aidea Philippines 310 10m-19m
40 41 Dewan Architects + Engineers UAE 296 60m-69m
41 43 10 Design China 292 70m-79m
42 49 GHD Design Australia 289 70m-79m
43 39 EHAF Consulting Engineers UAE 280 50m-59m
43 44 Idom Spain 280 50m-59m
45 47 Ronald Lu & Partners China 276 –
46 47 Chapman Taylor UK 268 40m-49m
47 50 DSP Design Associates India 261 30m-39m
48 45 Wong Tung & Partners China 257 40m-49m
49 42 UK 251 60m-69m
50 53 Lead8 China 243 50m-59m
51 55 KEO International Consultants Kuwait 239 170m-179m
52 52 Wilmotte & Associés France 235 40m-49m
53 58 Itten + Brechbühl Switzerland 219 50m-59m
54 51 AXS Satow Japan 217 50m-59m
55 56 Corgan US 201 190m-199m
56 – UNStudio Netherlands 199 40m-49m
57 63 Visionarch Philippines 191 5m-9m
58 73 SSH Bahrain 187 60m-69m
59 61 Archetype Group Vietnam 185 20m-29m
60 61 Aukett Swanke UK 184 20m-29m
61 71 Progetto CMR Italy 177 40m-49m
62 63 Jaspers-Eyers Architects Belgium 175 20m-29m
63 67 India 172 5m-9m
64 59 Leigh & Orange China 160 30m-39m
65 66 Valode & Pistre Architectes France 157 20m-29m
66 69 C P Kukreja Architects India 153 –
67 84 PRP Architecture UK 152 30m-39m
67 77 Purcell UK 152 20m-29m
69 65 B+H Architects Canada 150 50m-59m
70 56 Antao China 146 10m-19m
70 71 PM Group Ireland 146 30m-39m
72 74 Sikka Associates India 141 Under 5m
73 78 HENN Germany 140 70m-79m
74 – Ayesa Ingenieria y Arquitectura Spain 139 10m-19m
75 76 EPR Architects UK 133 20m-29m
76 79 A26 Architectures France 128 20m-29m
77 – Broadway Malyan UK 124 40m-49m
77 81 Spain 124 10m-19m
79 74 ASYA Design Philippines 123 5m-9m
80 80 Stride Treglown UK 122 30m-39m
81 68 Saota South Africa 120 10m-19m
82 98 Arch-Age Design China 116 260m-269m
83 81 Hyphen UK 114 20m-29m
84 81 Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios UK 106 10m-19m
85 86 Scott Brownrigg UK 101 20m-29m
86 85 Diamond Schmitt Architects Canada 100 40m-49m
87 – Architects 49 Thailand 99 5m-9m
88 91 Buckley Gray Yeoman UK 88 10m-19m
88 96 WTA Architecture and Design Studio Philippines 88 10m-19m
90 – Killa Design UAE 85 20m-29m
91 87 Sanjay Puri Architects India 81 Under 5m
92 89 AHR UK 79 10m-19m
92 – Weston Williamson + Partners UK 79 30m-39m
94 87 Hames Sharley Australia 74 10m-19m
95 – HCP Architecture & Engineering Spain 64 5m-9m
96 89 Boogertman + Partners South Africa 58 –
96 93 GFP Architects Philippines 58 –
98 – JSLA Architects Philippines 55 Under 5m
99 – Cano y Escario Arquitectura Spain 53 5m-9m
100 – ARM Architecture Australia 50 –
Source: Building Design Online

The 2024 rankings of the biggest architecture firms in the world reveal significant shifts alongside some enduring consistencies. Gensler continues to dominate as the largest firm globally, maintaining its position at the top with over $1.5 billion in fee income and 3,065 architects. Arcadis makes a notable entry at #2, marking a significant development for the Netherlands-based firm, which employs 1,956 architects and reports a fee income of $370 million to $379 million. This is a remarkable leap, highlighting Arcadis’ growing influence in the global market.

HDR, previously ranked #2 in 2023, moves to #3 but remains a formidable player with a fee income between $700 million and $799 million. Sweco climbs to #4, solidifying its position as the only European firm in the top five, reflecting its continued focus on sustainable urban design and its sizable workforce of 1,504 architects. Meanwhile, Nikken Sekkei drops from #3 to #5 but maintains its status as a key figure in global architecture, with a diverse portfolio spanning urban planning and architectural services.

South Korea’s Heerim Architects & Planners advances to #6 from #8 in 2023, showcasing impressive growth with a fee income of $180 million to $189 million. This is indicative of South Korea’s expanding role in the global architectural landscape, further supported by the strong presence of firms like DA Group Urban Design, ranked #22.

Emerging markets continue to make steady gains, with firms from India and the Philippines performing well. DSP Design Associates, ranked #47, leads India’s representation with a fee income of $30 million to $39 million. The Philippines maintains its growing presence with Aidea ranked #39 and ASYA Design at #79. These firms exemplify the rising influence of developing markets on the global stage.

British architecture firms hold a prominent place in the 2024 rankings of the largest architecture firms in the world. Foster + Partners, ranked #20, leads among UK firms, followed by Zaha Hadid Architects (#28), BDP (#23), Chapman Taylor (#46), and Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (#49). Other notable firms include Purcell (#67), recognized for restoration projects, and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (#84), emphasizing sustainable design. These firms represent a diverse range of expertise, from cutting-edge modernity to heritage conservation, showcasing the UK’s global architectural influence.

Notably absent from the 2024 rankings are previously recognized firms such as from the Netherlands and Denmark’s . Their absence reflects the evolving competitive dynamics of the industry, as newer or faster-growing firms secure their spots in the top 100. At the same time, mid-tier firms like Lemay, rising to #30 from #36, and GMP Architekten, moving up to #16 from #18, demonstrate significant advancements in their global standings.

Europe’s presence remains strong with ATP Architects Engineers ranked #13 and beyond the top 20, continuing to be influential: Norway‘s LINK Arkitektur (#33) and Spain‘s Morph Estudio (#77) and Idom (#43), Wilmotte & Associés from France at 52nd, Itten + Brechbühl from Switzerland at 53rd, and Jaspers-Eyers Architects from Belgium at 62nd.These rankings underscore the diverse and influential role that European architecture firms play in shaping the built environment worldwide, reflecting a rich heritage of design excellence and innovation.

Amongst the Best architecture firms in India: DSP Design Associates, ranked #47, leads with expertise in commercial and workplace design, while Morphogenesis (#63) is celebrated for its sustainable and context-driven projects. Firms like C P Kukreja Architects (#66) and Sanjay Puri Architects (#91) emphasize innovative, culturally rooted designs. Despite challenges like budget constraints and rapid urbanization, Indian firms are shaping the built environment with projects that integrate tradition and modernity, reflecting the country’s dynamic growth and architectural ingenuity.

The rankings highlight the continuous evolution of the industry, with both established giants and new contenders shaping its trajectory.

Here below you can find all our other selections of top architecture companies in the World and in Europe:

Cover image: ©Gensler / Ryan Gobuty