Ryton's Gradon Architecture reports strong year with new appointments

A North East-headquartered architecture practice with studios in Northern Ireland and Mongolia is expanding on the back of a successful year, which will see the company achieve a turnover nearing £1m between its UK locations.

Launched in 2009 by Graham and Donna McDarby, Gradon Architecture has recruited three new architects to strengthen its team, bringing the total number of staff across its three studios to 19.

In 2015, the company became the first British practice to set up in Mongolia and in the same year it also opened a studio in Derry, Northern Ireland.

The Derry studio has seen a successful second year in business, trebling its turnover in 12 months and, as a result, is relocating to new studios in the city to accommodate additional staff.

Graham McDarby, managing director, said: “While this year has been difficult at times, it is looking like it may also be one of our best in terms of financial performance and this is largely down to our people, who are our greatest asset.

“Following our latest recruitment drive, we are confident that we have a solid team of extraordinary people in place, who will help drive forward further growth in 2018 and beyond.

“Last year we worked on a range of projects including a £3.5m affordable housing development at Newcastle Great Park, the £8m Gateshead Energy Centre and Northumberland County Council’s new Fire & Rescue facilities in Alnwick and Hexham.”

The firm has added new projects to its instruction book, including various private and affordable residential schemes throughout Northern Ireland and the North East, as well as further residential, commercial, health and wellbeing projects in the likes of London and Dublin.

Following the successful launch of the Gateshead Energy centre in May 2018, Gradon is also part of the technical design team for the proposed Newcastle Energy Centre.

It is also designing two special educational needs schools, Ashdale in Ashington and Priory in Hexham.

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