AN architectural `super-practice’, which will operate internationally across the development spectrum, is being created with the merger of two West Yorkshire businesses.

The merger between SMC Gower Architects, Holbeck, Leeds, and SMC DTR: UK (Leeds), both part of SMC Group Plc, one of the UK’s top five architectural practices, takes effect this week.

Fourteen staff from DTR: UK (Leeds), North Street, have moved into SMC Gower Architects offices at the award-winning Round Foundry, Holbeck, bringing the total of architects under one roof to 55.

DTR:UK was founded as Dempster, Thrussell and Rae Ltd in Bradford in 1992. The practice opened a Manchester office in 1994 and moved its West Yorkshire office to North Street in 1998. A Liverpool office was launched by acquisition in 2001, DTR:UK joined the SMC Group in 2005 and opened a Lancaster office by acquisition last year. Only DTR:UK (Leeds) is merging with SMC Gower Architects.

DTR:UK (Leeds) director Paul Thrussell, who remains a director of DTR:UK group, says: “This merger, and the expertise and commercial approach we bring, will continue to establish SMC Gower Architects as a formidable player among Yorkshire’s practices.

“Our team will have the opportunity to grow as part of a larger operation while adding to the practice’s youth, creativity and strength-in-depth across the spectrum of architectural disciplines, particularly interior design.”

DTR:UK (Leeds) has provided architectural services to many major developments in Yorkshire including Arla Foods’ £50m dairy production facility in Stourton, Leeds; the Round Foundry Media Centre, Leeds, a 1 million sq ft Tesco’s distribution centre at Gateway Goole for developer, Stirling St James, and the £10m refurbishment of Central House, Beckwith Knowle, Harrogate, for Commercial Estates Group.

SMC Gower Architects managing director, Iain Cant, says: “We are delighted to welcome Paul Thrussell and his highly-successful team. This merger is a consolidation of the SMC Group in Yorkshire, part of our growth strategy and enhances the combination of experience and flair which is central to our continuing success.”

SMC Gower Architects, which has eight directors among its 94 design, technical and support staff, has more than doubled its size and almost tripled its turnover in three years, and works nationally and internationally on a range of commercial, industrial, retail, leisure, healthcare, education, conservation and urban design schemes.