Our story
In 1980, Darroll Harrison set up a chartered building surveying company on the upstairs landing of his house, with his wife Vera doing the books. More than four decades on, dhp is a full interdisciplinary building design consultancy — but the story is best told year by year.
1980
the year it all began
8
disciplines under one roof
90%
funding bid success rate
Ascot
home since 2021
The surveying years
The Beginning
Darroll Harrison set up his chartered building surveying company, Darroll K Harrison & Associates, on the upstairs landing of his house — with his wife Vera doing the books.
Key clients Canon and Royal Mail commission work from the practice.
All drawings were done in pencil, with letters passed to the secretary to be typed on an electric typewriter.
The Diocese of London becomes a key client — and remains a client today.
The partnership is formed — Darroll Harrison Partnership.
Going interdisciplinary
New clients include British Airways, Thames Water, Procter & Gamble and the RAC.
Our first website goes live.
The practice expands to offer the full interdisciplinary services we offer today.
Frameworks & first schools
Our first OJEU government tender success — with the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Our first new-build schools open.
St John Fisher Primary School, Harrow — £7.4m
Sacred Heart Catholic School, Ruislip — £7.2m
Landmark projects
dhp 35-year anniversary party.
Finalist at the LABC Awards for ‘Best Educational Building’ — for the south wing redevelopment at Bucks New University.
Our largest project completed to date — a £27 million new build and refurbishment for the new St Richard Reynolds Catholic College in Twickenham.
Lee Mason is promoted to Partner and Chaminda Abayawardana to Associate — a significant milestone for the company.
We welcome the National Physical Laboratory as a new client.
Jennifer Melis is promoted to Partner, recognising her outstanding contribution to the company.
Completion of The Winston Churchill School discovery space — a state-of-the-art planetarium and library, the first of its kind in a UK state school. Shortlisted for ‘Inspiring Learning Spaces’ at the Education Estates Awards.
New home, new generation
We relocate from Weybridge to Ascot — a new chapter for the team.
Jack Allen and Craig Beardall are both promoted to Associate — we're incredibly proud of their valuable work.
We complete a major HVAC installation at Manchester Palace Theatre, alongside a comprehensive boiler and chiller replacement at The Lyceum.
A large new sixth-form block at Winchmore School completes in October.
Following a long list of achievements, Adam Smith is promoted to Associate.
The Pavilion, Ascot
Eight disciplines under one roof — architecture, MEP engineering, project management, building surveying, facilities management, professional services, interior design and educational funding support.
From a landing and a pencil in 1980, to a full interdisciplinary practice — still designing and transforming buildings across their whole lifecycle.
Tell us what you're planning. From first sketch to final handover, our interdisciplinary team will take care of it.