Origins of the Practice

The origins of Poynton Bradbury Architects (formerly Poynton Bradbury Architects) and its subsequent success was heavily influenced by its early community spirited projects.

In January 1973 Joe Poynton, having just returned from a two-year stint working in West Africa, ran out of fuel in Penzance; it turned out that the Good Samaritan who came to his aid just happened to be in need of an architect. This encounter, plus the opportunity to share an attic studio in St Ives, was the unlikely beginning of what was to become one of the South West’s leading architectural practices.

From the outset the new firm sought out the more challenging projects such as the Barbara Hepworth Museum and the ‘keyhole surgery’ conversion of derelict sail lofts into its own offices. Alongside the more regular projects Poynton Bradbury Architects also worked with local amenity groups on community projects. The first of these, Ludgvan Community Centre, was built with unemployed construction workers under the Wilson government’s Job Creation Scheme.

The success of this, and other community projects at a time of deep economic recession caught the attention of HRH The Prince of Wales who went on to commission Poynton Bradbury Architects to design and enable several Community Architecture projects on his Somerset estates.

Publication of the firm’s work together with a steady stream of design awards soon started to attract talented young architects to Poynton Bradbury Architects, and this combination of talent and experience enabled the practice to expand and undertake projects far beyond its original West Cornwall base.

During a sustained period of growth over thirty years Joe Poynton was joined by three other Partners, Mike Bradbury, Cedric Wynter and Phil Cole, to become Poynton Bradbury Architects.

Through its commissioning of a large programme of award-winning RNLI Lifeboat Stations around the country, Poynton Bradbury Architects (PBWC Architects) gained a reputation for designing buildings able to withstand the extremes of the marine and coastal environment. This work culminated in PBWC Architects being appointed to design the RLNI Lifeboat College buildings in Poole.

By 2014 the last of the original four partners retired from the practice, and PBWC Architects was being led by a new generation of Directors who brought fresh ideas and perspectives to the practice. Inspired by the founding principles of community architecture PBWC Architects continued to grow and adapt to address global challenges such as rising economic inequalities and climate change through socially and environmentally responsible design. In 2019 as part of a renewed push for social change PBWC Architects transitioned to become 100% employee owned with the formation of an Employee-Owned Trust (EOT).

In 2024 the practice opened a new regional office in Exeter to service the growing number of projects across the wider south-west of England. To reflect the firm’s history, broader focus and future aspirations, the practice name was refined to Poynton Bradbury Architects.