AN ARCHITECT with a passion for high-rise design is hoping to take her practice to new heights as she joins the board of directors.

Siobhan McMahon has become a director of Darlington-based Niven Architects working with senior director Simon Crowe to establish the business on the regional and national stage.

The Durham-born 39-year-old left the North-East at 18 to study architecture in Queen’s University, Belfast.

Her interest in tropical architecture and love of travel took her to Malaysia for a year before returning to Belfast to complete her studies.

She joined Niven Architects, in Coniscliffe Road, in 2005 as a consultant. After the birth of her second child she went full-time and made associate director 18 months ago.

“I was really honoured to be asked to become a director,” she said. “It is really exciting to have stake in the future of the practice. It makes me feel an integral part of the business with an important role helping it to move forward.”

She is currently working on the £4.8m scheme at Middlehaven, to construct MC6, a standalone sixth form centre for Middlesbrough College.