The practice was started in 1994 when Ian Sutherland McCook returned to the Highlands after some years working in London, Birmingham, Glasgow and overseas. The company was rebranded as 1 Architects Ltd In 2013.
In 2015 an association with Jesaur Arquitectura Urbanismo in Valencia was established.
In 2016 a London presence was set up in Long Lane, Clerkenwell.
In 2018, 1 Architects opened an office in Tallinn, Estonia.