Growing Gateshead design practice Gradon Architecture has opened a third studio in the creative Boho Zone area of Middlesbrough.

The firm currently has studios in Blaydon and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as well as a number of workshops across the world and has had a successful year after securing a number of international projects in Mongolia, Dublin and Turkmenistan.

The firm has also been busy on number of schemes across the North East, including the design development of the Stainsby Masterplan for Middlesbrough Council, which has the potential to create around 1,670 houses set within a country park, a primary school, cycle routes and a central visitor centre.

Work on the plan is leading to more opportunities on Teesside, triggering the need for the new Middlesbrough studio.

Gradon has now moved into its new studio in the £4m Boho 5 building, a six-storey office accommodation block which was first opened in 2015, providing office space for SME and startup digital and creative businesses.

The move means Gradon can progress a number of upcoming schemes in partnership with Middlesbrough Council and private clients.

Following the success of apprenticeship schemes established with Newcastle and Northumbria Universities, as well as a number of local schools in Tyneside, they will be looking to repeat their success in Teesside.

Managing director Graham McDarby said: “We are extremely proud and excited to be opening our studio in Middlesbrough and our third for the business.

“Having established a successful working relationship both with Middlesbrough Council and a number of private clients, as well as being inspired by the mayor’s ambitious vision for the area, we are keen to be part of the exciting journey and make a positive contribution to the community and its economy through Our Architecture and Our People.

“Our new studio therefore gives us a fantastic opportunity to drive business forward and further develop our relationship with Middlesbrough Council and other businesses from a local base.

“Taking advantage of the regular links we have on the Northern Railway line between our two UK studios is both sustainable and enables us to collaborate between our teams.

“This joined with our studio and the relationships we have established in Mongolia presents a unique opportunity for us to knowledge transfer and hopefully bring yet further overseas investment into the area.

“Despite our industry facing a difficult current climate in the North East, as a business, we have had a successful year celebrating our 10th anniversary with the opening of our third studio and this has put us in a strong position going forward as we look to future regional projects in the new year.”

Coun Ashley Waters, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: “Great architecture and design have a crucial role to play in realising Middlesbrough’s ambitions for the future.

“Gradon’s track record shows they have the vision and skills to ensure development in Middlesbrough meets the needs of the 21s century.

“By joining the ever-growing Boho community, they’re also ensuring they’ll be at the cutting edge of the next phase of exciting developments in the Digital City.”