A growing architecture business has set up home in Sunderland following the renovation of a school which has lain empty for more than a decade.
Architecture and civil engineering business Building Design Northern (BDN) has moved from Salvus House in Durham after the old Simpson Street School building was renovated and remodelled to become the company’s new headquarters.
The move gives BDN room to grow its team, having already increased its headcount by nine to take it to 19 in the last 12 months.
The company was bought out by managing director Richard Marsden in 2019, more than 13 years after he started his career as an undergraduate with the business.
BDN is now leading the wider redevelopment of the former school building, which was originally built in 1883, in a £1m renovation project which will also create eight loft apartments available for rent in a separate part of the building.
BDN recently restructured its team to support its ongoing growth, with five new directors appointed to steer the business. The company has put in place directors of finance, civil engineering, structural engineering, architecture and conservation, all of whom have been promoted by the firm.
Mr Marsden said: “We’re a really ambitious practice, with a dynamic team that is establishing BDN as a forward-thinking firm with the ability to support a broad range of projects.
“Our relocation to our own headquarters in Sunderland, along with a range of changes to the management structure of the business, will stand us in good stead to accelerate our growth, and to bolster our own development capabilities, which is an increasingly important part of our business.”
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BDN – which also has an office and team in Ulverston in Cumbria - completed the purchase of its new head office from Sunderland City Council last year.
It has since carried out a programme of improvements to transform the derelict space into an office packed with original features, but fully modernised to deliver a sustainable, stylish workplace.
The restoration of Simpson Street School is the latest in a long line of projects that the firm is involved in across the city, having worked on designs and engineering for Spire View, Ashburne House and the Walled Garden Roker. The firm has also recently been commissioned to work on the redesign of Mackie’s Corner.
BDN was recently appointed to by Sunderland City Council to support an ambitious £59m housing development programme across the city.
Peter McIntyre, executive director of city development, said: “We’re delighted to see BDN make the move to Sunderland as part of their ambitious expansion plans.
“This is an exciting firm, and one we’re proud to see join our dynamic business community in an office that they have transformed at such pace – it symbolises the transformation of Sunderland right now.”