Architects practice celebrates 75 years in business

Architects Morrison Design is celebrating the 75th anniversary since the company was founded.

The practice, originally named Morrison and Partners Chartered Architects, was started by Sam Morrison in 1948.

Originally bases in Full Street, he was joined in the business by partners George Grey and John Farmer.

By the 1960s, the company had grown and had moved to offices in Belper Road, from which they specialised in designing  schools, hospitals and housing.

The firm later started to work internationally, with an office in Sydney, Australia – and clients in the Middle East.

The 1980s saw the firm continue to gain experience in hotels and the business was incorporated and renamed Morrison Design by directors Nigel Walding, David Walding and David Hartland.

Following the turn of the century the firm began partnerships with hospitality businesses, including Morley Hayes.

Morrison Design also began a mammoth 13-year project – the regeneration of Rolls-Royce’s site, which was completed in 2019.

In the 2010s David Hartland retired and the three current directors – Peter Newman-Earp, Nik Clarke and David Gardner – completed a management buyout.

In recent years, the practice moved to a new studio in Darley Abbey Mills, which began a new era for the business.

Nik said: “We’re incredibly proud to have such an impressive legacy here at Morrison Design and honoured to have the opportunity to continue it for many years to come.

“We’re committed to providing a positive and inspiring place for our team to work and we’re very excited about what the future holds for us.”