Building Design Northern unveils growth plans

An architectural and structural engineering firm has revealed plans to relocate after outgrowing the offices it modernised. 

Building Design Northern (BDN) will list its Old Simpson Street School base for sale to aid future growth.

The relocation means the Sunderland-based company, which also has offices in Ulverston, will sell its current base after completing a restoration of the derelict building that saw it converted into a modern office space and eight apartments.  

The company, which restored the Grade II-listed Sheepfolds Stables into a food, drinks and leisure venue, has grown from a team of ten in 2019 to 33 employees, with plans to add to that number within the next 12 months.

Rick Marsden, BDN managing director, said: “The growth we have seen has been rapid, and we’ve already announced plans to expand our base in Ulverston, with the acquisition of a former police station, to ensure we have room for a larger team in the Lakes.  

“We have found ourselves in the same position in Sunderland, with the building no longer large enough to accommodate our team.  

"We have explored the option of converting other parts of the school to office space to give us more capacity, but the reality is we have outgrown the school.

“We’ve started the search for a new base, which will create more capacity for us to expand, and the school being on the market will allow us the chance to find a new custodian of this fantastic building."

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