Adam Caruso and Peter St John RA

Adam Caruso (b. 1962) and Peter St John (b. 1959) established their practice in 1990. Caruso St John Architects has offices in London and Zurich, undertaking projects that range in scale from major urban developments and cultural projects, to intricate interventions in complex historic settings.

The practice first rose to prominence after winning the competition for the New Art Gallery Walsall and is known for its museum and gallery projects and frequent collaborations with artists. Its projects include the redevelopment of the Tate Britain, Nottingham Contemporary and the V&A Museum of Childhood, as well as a series of galleries for Gagosian. In 2016, the practice was awarded the RIBA Stirling Prize for the Newport Street Gallery in South London. In 2018, Caruso St John Architects, working in collaboration with the artist Marcus Taylor, was selected to curate the British Pavilion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.

Alongside its cultural work, the practice has assembled a portfolio of substantial urban projects throughout Europe. Recently completed buildings include a new headquarters for the Bremer Landesbank on Bremen’s historic Domshof and the Lycée Hôtelier de Lille, a hospitality school and urban regeneration project that is built within monumental former industrial buildings to the east of the city centre. The practice is currently developing designs for major projects in London, Antwerp, Cologne, Hamburg, Munich, Stockholm and Zurich.

The practice’s work is wide-ranging and it regularly undertakes small projects in special situations. Recent projects include exhibition furniture for Sir John Soane’s Museum, the refurbishment of the chancel at St. Gallen Cathedral in Switzerland and a new organ loft for Canterbury Cathedral.

Adam Caruso and Peter St John have taught architecture throughout their careers, initially to support their nascent practice and, subsequently, to enrich and elaborate on their practice’s thinking. Adam Caruso is Professor of Architecture and Construction at the ETH in Zurich and Peter St John is Professor of Architecture at London Metropolitan University.

Peter St John was elected Treasurer of the Royal Academy on 1st November 2020, becoming the 31st Academician to hold this office. The Treasurer of the Royal Academy is elected by ballot for a three-year term, normally from RAs who have served a minimum of five years. The Treasurer acts as the formal representative of the Academicians on all matters concerning finance.

Adam Caruso was elected as the Royal Academy of Arts Professor of Architecture in September 2022.