The practice
Ade Fowler
Founder · Islington Architects Ltd
BA Hons Dip Arch ARB RIBA
BA Hons Dip Arch ARB RIBA
Registrations & memberships
ARB 065549J
RIBA 8907316
RIBA Chartered Member
RIBA Principal Designer
APS Member 018510
Guinness World Record Holder
FKT Holder · National Three Peaks
Land’s End · 14 October 2023 · Guinness World Record
About
One of London’s most experienced planning and heritage architects
Since 2004, Ade has personally submitted approaching 400 planning and listed building applications across London.
Ade Fowler is the founder of Islington Architects Ltd and one of London’s most experienced specialists in planning, heritage and listed buildings, and a recognised authority on complex existing buildings, conservation areas and historic properties.
Ade studied at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, completing his Diploma in Unit 21 under Professors CJ Lim and Christine Hawley before graduating in 2000.
He began his career at Future Systems, the Stirling Prize-winning practice led by Jan Kaplický and Amanda Levete, contributing to internationally recognised projects before going on to work for Terence Conran at Conran & Partners.
He subsequently joined the studio of the late Will Alsop OBE, a mentor and father figure who entrusted Ade with privileged roles within the practice. At Alsop’s he worked on the Fourth Grace Liverpool, a competition-winning scheme selected ahead of proposals by Norman Foster, Richard Rogers and Frank Gehry, as well as Building Schools for the Future and Joined-Up Design for Schools, a programme in which Ade worked directly with students and teachers at two schools in Bristol. He has also lectured at universities across the UK.
Between 2017 and 2019, Ade led a major listed building consent programme for one of London’s most prestigious private estates, submitting approximately 100 planning and listed building applications and overseeing significant construction works at Grade II* listed properties, including a major project on Brook Street, Mayfair.
2004
Submitting applications across London since
~400
Planning & listed building applications
~100
Applications for one private estate, 2017–19
Grade II*
Listed work on Brook Street, Mayfair
Career
From the Bartlett to listed buildings
2000
Future Systems
Stirling Prize-winning practice led by Jan Kaplický and Amanda Levete. Contributed to internationally recognised projects.
—
Conran & Partners
Working under Sir Terence Conran across hospitality, residential and commercial projects in London.
—
Will Alsop OBE
A mentor and father figure. Entrusted with privileged roles within the practice. Fourth Grace Liverpool, selected ahead of Foster, Rogers and Gehry. Building Schools for the Future and Joined-Up Design for Schools, working with students and teachers at two Bristol schools. Lectured at universities across the UK.
2004
Fowler Architects Limited established
Independent practice focused on planning, conservation and listed buildings across London. Early Islington applications included the full refurbishment of 27 Gerrard Road (July 2005) and 22 Charlton Place (September 2005), both listed buildings, both approved.
2015
Islington Architects Ltd
Rebranded with a sharply focused specialism in planning, conservation and listed buildings across London.
2017–19
Major listed building programme
Approximately 100 planning and listed building applications for one of London’s most prestigious private estates. Significant construction at Grade II* properties, including a 1720s property on Brook Street, Mayfair.
Current projects
Active projects
Active
Charlton Place
Islington · Grade II listed
Active
Richmond Avenue
Islington · Grade II listed
Active
Canonbury Square
Islington · Grade II listed · Conservation area
Active
Grange Grove
Islington · Conservation area
Active
Willow Bridge Road
Islington · Conservation area
Fastest Known Time · 2026
National Three Peaks, on foot and self-supported
In September 2026, Ade completed the National Three Peaks (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, Yr Wyddfa) entirely on foot, travelling between all three mountains without a support crew.
He carried everything he needed in a 35-litre pack, including tent, sleeping system, mountain and wet-weather kit, navigation and power, sourcing his own food, water and shelter along the way, with his progress tracked live by satellite throughout.
His time of 9 days, 14 hours and 29 minutes set the new self-supported Fastest Known Time, 2 hours 11 minutes faster than the previous record. The full sea-to-sea journey, from Fort William to Caernarfon, has been submitted to Guinness World Records.
9d 14h 29m
FKT · Self-supported · Ben Nevis to Snowdon · Previous record 9d 16h 40m
10d 4h 0m
Guinness World Records · Fort William to Caernarfon · Previous record 11d 7h 39m
Awaiting ratification
10d 3h 45m
Sea level to sea level · Fort William to Caernarfon
5–15 Sep 2026
Ben Nevis · Scafell Pike · Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)
| Point | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Witnessed start | Alexandra Hotel, Fort William | 5 Sep · 06:39 |
| Sea-level start | Fort William | 5 Sep · 06:44 |
| FKT start | Ben Nevis Visitor Centre | 5 Sep · 07:17 |
| FKT finish | Llanberis, Snowdon Mountain Railway Station | 14 Sep · 21:46 |
| Sea-level finish | Caernarfon | 15 Sep · 10:29 |
| Witnessed finish | Caernarfon Castle, Castle Hill | 15 Sep · 10:39 |
Guinness World Record · 2023
Fastest Land’s End to John O’Groats crossing on foot (male)
Ade Fowler holds the official Guinness World Record for the fastest journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats on foot (male), covering the length of Great Britain in 19 days, 3 hours, 28 minutes and 50 seconds between 25 September and 14 October 2023.
Timed by Guinness World Records from signpost to signpost, the crossing was completed entirely self-supported: carrying all his own equipment including a tent, camping alone every night, with no support crew or vehicle, and battling hypothermia and mild trench foot along the way.
The same journey made Ade the first male to hold the FKT (Fastest Known Time) for running the length of the UK self-supported.
The challenge raised funds for Breast Cancer Now and Refuge, causes deeply personal to Ade following the loss of his mother Sue to breast cancer when he was 18.
View official Guinness World Record →
19 days
3 hours · 28 minutes · 50 seconds · Signpost to signpost
25 Sep – 14 Oct 2023
Land’s End · John O’Groats · Verified by Guinness World Records
Self-supported
No support crew · Carried all equipment · Camped alone every night
3 records
Guinness World Record (male) · First male FKT self-supported length of UK · FKT self-supported National Three Peaks
Personal
From modest beginnings to one of London’s leading listed building practices
Ade’s mother Sue was a hairdresser who ran her own business from a converted bedroom in the family home in Brockenhurst. She died from breast cancer when Ade was 18. Following her death the family home was sold and Ade navigated early adulthood with very limited resources. Despite leaving school with modest results, he was offered the opportunity to study architecture by Bob Sutton at Birmingham UCE, supporting himself by working at architects Sheppard Robson in Camden during the holidays and staying at the Warren Street YMCA.
From those beginnings he went on to work with some of the world’s most respected architects before establishing one of London’s leading listed building practices.
Every Christmas Day, Ade personally distributes sleeping bags, clothing and essential supplies to people experiencing homelessness in London.
At a glance
Education
The Bartlett, UCL · Unit 21 · Diploma 2000
Birmingham UCE
Birmingham UCE
Submitting applications since
2004 · Islington & London
Applications submitted
Approaching 400 planning & listed building
Current projects
Charlton Place · Richmond Avenue · Canonbury Square · Grange Grove · Willow Bridge Road
Records
Guinness World Record, fastest male Land’s End to John O’Groats on foot · First male FKT self-supported length of UK · FKT self-supported National Three Peaks, 2026 (Guinness ratification pending)
Charitable causes
Breast Cancer Now · Refuge · Annual Christmas homelessness outreach
Work with Ade
Would you like Ade to assist with your project?
Whether you are considering a listed building, navigating a conservation area or facing a complex planning challenge, get in touch for a direct conversation. Ade responds personally, usually within one working day.