IBI formalises Nightingale and Taylor Young takeover

Rochdale-based IBI Nightingale and Handforth-based IBI Taylor Young have rebranded and will now be known as IBI Group, following their acquisition by the Canadian firm.

IBI, the architecture group headquartered in Toronto with 80 offices around the world, first launched in the UK in 1996. The firm acquired architect Nightingale in 2010 and multi-disciplinary practice Taylor Young in 2012.

The internal structure at IBI has also been re-organised, with expertise now separated into three areas: intelligence, buildings, and infrastructure.

IBI operates across a range of sectors, including healthcare, education, science, transportation, systems, residential, justice, and commercial. The firm has three offices in the North West; the former Taylor Young offices in Liverpool and Handforth, and the Nightingale offices in Rochdale, with a total of 124 staff.

Graeme Scott, group director at IBI, said: "Our united identity will motivate staff to share skills and knowledge ensuring that we provide more intelligent, smarter and innovative solutions."

IBI Nightingale projects include work with the Welsh Emergency Services, and academy school redevelopments across the region. IBI Taylor Young is the architect for the regeneration of Ashton-under-Lyne town centre for Tameside Council and is planning advisor for the Exhibition Centre Liverpool.

The Liverpool office of IBI Nightingale closed in October 2013 with 20 redundancies, due to unsuccessful bids for major regional contracts. The healthcare team, including studio director Justin Harris, were relocated to Rochdale.