Being the son of a painter and decorator, Graham’s approach to architecture is pragmatic and born from the experience of working on building sites with his father at an early age, where he quickly gained an understanding of the industry while studying architecture, initially in London before graduating from Sheffield University in 1993.

Following an architectural tour of Europe in 1993-94 he went on to work for a number of architectural practices within the NE of England including Faulkner Browns and Ryder Architecture where he became a Director in 2003 before leaving in 2009 to set up Gradon Architecture with his wife Donna, to pursue his own developed thoughts in architecture and offer a more personal, hands on service and approach to his clients.

Working closely with all the team, Graham McDarby has ultimate responsibility for the design direction and strategic development of Gradon Architecture, which to date has seen the progressive growth of the business since its inception in 2009.

Outside of the studio, Graham enjoys “hands-on architecture” and is always busy building something or doing something DIY related, from which he continues to develop his practical understanding of delivering architecture. Graham says, “Before we draw something, we must understand how the tradesman can actually build it!”

Graham is passionate about giving something back…to the community, to the youth of the future and to those who are less fortunate than others. This has seen the implementation of the Gradon Architecture Apprenticeship scheme and regular fundraising for charities such as Teenage Cancer Trust, MS Society, The Percy Hedley Foundation, The Calvert Trust, The Wider Mhabara Orphange in Uganda and The Christina Noble Foundation in Mongolia.

Outside of architecture, Graham enjoys extensive travel across the world, large format modernist painting, photography, following Newcastle United and socialising with a close group of friends and family which mean everything to him.