As a central figure in contemporary British architecture, her work shifted from the experimental structural designs of the late twentieth century to the expansive, global projects currently being executed by her London-based practice, AL_A.
Early Career and Future Systems
Born in Bridgend in 1959, Amanda Jane Levete attended St Paul's Girls' School before studying at the Architectural Association School of Architecture. Her professional path began as a trainee at Alsop & Lyall, followed by a period at the Richard Rogers Partnership. In 1985, she co-founded Powis & Levete. By 1989, she became a partner at Future Systems alongside Jan Kaplický. During this twenty-year collaboration, the firm gained acclaim for innovative, curvaceous structures, most notably the Selfridges Building in Birmingham and the Lord's Media Centre, which utilized advanced computer-aided design.
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Following the conclusion of her partnership at Future Systems in 2009, Levete founded AL_A. The practice achieved significant recognition after winning an international competition in 2011 to design the Exhibition Road entrance for the Victoria and Albert Museum. This project included a porcelain courtyard and subterranean gallery. The firm has since expanded its reach, completing the MAAT in Lisbon, the Central Embassy in Bangkok, and the Dr. Lee Shau Kee Building and William Doo Undergraduate Centre at Wadham College, University of Oxford. Her portfolio also includes healthcare facilities and prototype energy plants.
Design Philosophy and Public Service
Beyond large-scale architecture, Levete engages in product design, creating furniture for Established and Sons. Her professional life includes extensive service to cultural institutions. She served as a trustee for Artangel and the Young Foundation. As of 2026, she maintains a position as a trustee of the Victoria and Albert Museum. In 2025, she participated in a collective effort by UK-based designers to petition the government regarding the use of copyrighted works in training artificial intelligence models.
Honours and Professional Recognition
Levete has received numerous accolades for her contributions to the built environment. In the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire. She was awarded the Jane Drew Prize in 2018 for her role in promoting the visibility of women in the architectural profession. Her status in the field is further reflected in her election as an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2019 and her induction as a Royal Academician in 2021.
Fast facts
- Born: 1959, Bridgend, United Kingdom
- Education: St Paul's Girls' School; Architectural Association School of Architecture
- Key Firm: AL_A
- Notable Recognition: Stirling Prize
- Award: Jane Drew Prize (2018)
- Honour: Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- Significant Work: Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology
Questions readers ask
Which major museum did AL_A expand?
AL_A completed a major redesign of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, which included the construction of a new main entrance and gallery.
Did Levete work on the Lord's Media Centre?
Yes, as a partner at Future Systems, she contributed to the Lord's Media Centre, which won the Stirling Prize in 1999.
Achievements
- Notable work: Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology
- Jane Drew Prize
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Trained at St Paul's Girls' School and Architectural Association School of Architecture
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