Member Article

Gradon Architecture grows team following project wins

An architects firm that is going from strength to strength despite a difficult post-Brexit climate is investing in recruitment after securing a number of high-profile projects across the UK and Northern Ireland.

Gradon Architecture, which has bases in Gateshead, Derry and Ulan Bator, Mongolia, has appointed three new staff, growing the team to 22 across the three locations.

Andrew Thompson, 25, joins the team in Ryton as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant and arrives at the practice with two years’ industry experience under his belt after taking time out to complete a Masters in Architecture.

Andrew, from Middleborough, who studied at Northumbria University, will be working on Gradon’s projects across the North East and South East regions.

Andrew said: “I was aware of Gradon growing across the UK and internationally and was very impressed with the achievements of the team, which encouraged me to apply for the position. I’m thrilled to have been successful; it’s a great opportunity to join the practice at such an exciting time.

“I’m looking forward to developing my career and contributing to Gradon’s future success stories.”

Gradon, which has a proven track record for nurturing young architectural talent, is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) mentoring scheme, which sees students assigned to architectural practices to allow early practical experience in their careers.

The practice, which also creates tailor-made apprenticeships for local students and regularly visits schools to encourage young people into the profession, has also welcomed two more recent graduates to the team.

Kelly Gormley, 29, and Lauren McLaughlin, 26, will join Gradon’s Derry-based team as Part 2 Architectural Assistants working with Architectural Director Sean Furey and Technical Director Liam Neils, who are spearheading the practice’s move into London as well as heading up operations in Northern Ireland.

Kelly, who is from Derry and studied architecture at Liverpool John Moores University, said: “Joining Gradon is a fantastic opportunity to increase my skill set and advance my career. It’s also great to be able to work on projects in Derry and have a hand in shaping the future of my own city.

“I’m looking forward to getting started and building on what I’ve learned at university and delivering architecture that makes a difference to people’s lives.”

Lauren, from Carrigans, County Donegal, added: “In particular I’m looking forward to taking on more design work, especially focusing on bespoke private residential projects which allow a lot of opportunity for creativity.”

Graham McDarby, founder and Managing Director of Gradon Architecture, said: “We’ve recently secured a number of new exciting projects in North East England and Northern Ireland, as well as expanding into London for the first time, and this has enabled us to be in the fantastic position of recruiting a number of new staff.

“We have always placed a strong emphasis on offering opportunity and career progression to young architectural talent and we’re delighted to welcome Andrew, Lauren and Kelly to the Gradon Architecture team at a pivotal stage in their architecture careers. Their fresh ideas, knowledge and enthusiasm will be a great asset and we’re looking forward to seeing their careers flourish with us.”

This investment in staff follows Gradon, which focuses on delivering sustainable projects with care and efficiency, securing a number of new projects in London and across Northern Ireland and the North East.

Current projects on the go include a number of bespoke multimillion residential projects across London and work on the Percy Hedley Foundation’s specialist residential school in North Tyneside. Meanwhile, large-scale Mongolia projects include Galleria UB, a multi-million pound shopping centre in Mongolia’s capital city.

To find out more about the architectural services that Gradon Architecture provides, visit their website of follow them on social media.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Andrew Johnson .