Louis de Soissons & Partners, Architects

Louis Emanuel Jean Guy de Savoie-Carignan de Soissons (1890–1962), architect, was professionally known as Louis de Soissons.

The first major commission of the practice he set up (Louis de Soissons Partnership) was the master plan for Welwyn Garden City (1920). Louis de Soissons was appointed architect for the town in 1920 and the practice was significantly involved in its development over the next 60 years.

After the Second World War the firm expanded to Plymouth and Exeter to carry out a wide variety of architectural work.
Nearly 50 war cemeteries were designed for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Greece and Italy.
Later the practice's buildings included a number of important buildings, such as the Wellcome Foundation, The Leathersellers Company (a reconstruction in 1948 after wartime bombing), the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in Regent's Park and the International Wool Secretariat in Carlton Terrace, London. He also designed the Hobbs' Gates at The Oval cricket ground, in memory of Sir Jack Hobbs, and a statue of George VI.

The Crown Estates Commissioners retained the firm to restore Cumberland and Chester Terraces, by John Nash.
Work was carried out on seating for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
Work for academic institutions included Eton College, and Exeter and Cambridge Universities.

The firm changed tack in the 1960s, and commercial work such as the Brighton Marina shows a greater deference to modernism. The firm's headquarters are now in Luton, Bedfordshire.

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