The firm was founded in 1976 on the basis that it would offer a more client-focused service with a multi-disciplinary and ecologically friendly approach to projects.

Cundall has frequently advocated for environmental sustainability and sympathetic development; it plans for all of the firm's undertakings to achieve new zero carbon by 2030.

[2] A common belief held by the founders was that the construction industry was chaotic and could be better organised; Cundall thus sought to deliver projects via a people-centric multi-disciplinary approach that incorporated structural, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering.

[3] During 1981, at the urging of Carr, the company's London office was established; Carr and Laurie Clark secured numerous key clients in London that led to Cundall being awarded roles in numerous high-profile projects, including the headquarters of several major firms, such as Swiss Bank, British Airways and Deutsche Bank.

[12] In July 2024, Rick Carr, one of Cundall's founding partners and a key figure at the firm for almost half a century, died.