A trio of contract wins is helping a Newcastle architecture practice build on the foundations of recent growth.
Gradon Architecture has announced it is working on technical designs for a 100-bed student accommodation scheme in Durham and a new visitor centre for Forestry England at Hamsterley Forest, following respective planning submissions. Gradon is also working with Middlesbrough Council to develop a strategic masterplan for a mixed-use community and residential scheme in the area.
The triple win comes after Gradon won contracts to work on projects in Jordan and Turkmenistan. The company is currently bidding for further work in Pakistan and Jamaica as it builds on recent growth which has seen it more than double turnover in the last 12 months.
It has been a busy 2024 so far for Gradon, which is working on an industrial project in Motherwell and with strategic construction partners on the delivery of social housing projects in several London boroughs. The company is also exploring opportunities in Georgia. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
The contract wins follow the recent appointment of technical director Graeme Kirkley, who brings expertise and technical knowledge of construction design to support the development of Gradon’s dynamic young team of staff. Established 15 years ago by husband-and-wife team, Graham and Donna McDarby, the company has developed into an award-winning practice of architects that has worked on a variety of projects throughout the UK and across the globe, including Mongolia, Jordan and Turkmenistan.
Graham McDarby, managing director of Gradon, said: “We’re delighted to be working on this new raft of interesting projects. All of the schemes that we work on are unique and different; this is what makes our day jobs so interesting.
“Our aim is to grow from within and, with some key strategic hires, see our current crop of exciting young talent develop and take the business further forward. Geographically we’ll continue to work throughout the UK and overseas – wherever our skills and experience is needed and wherever our inquisitive minds take us.
“Looking back, Donna and I started this business in a recession following the global financial crisis and since then we’ve negotiated numerous challenges, including Brexit, the Covid pandemic, a global energy crisis and geo-political volatility at home and abroad. Despite all of this, our fantastic team have shown resilience and agility and now we’re seeing activity ramp up significantly.
“Going forward we’re seeking to work on a diverse range of projects, including strategic master-planning, student accommodation and social housing schemes, as well as our overseas projects which should stand us in good stead.”
Gradon’s team of staff is made up of architects and architectural technologists located in studios in the North East of England, as well as in strategic project locations throughout the UK and across the world. The company has a strong track record in the industry and is currently involved in several exciting projects, which include student residential, retail, church conversions, commercial, industrial and strategic mixed-use master-planning projects.