David Matthews, Mike Harris, Simon Clarke and Scott Ryalls formed Fuse in 2010 having previously worked together for eight years at careyjones architects in Leeds and Manchester on projects across the UK, Europe and the USA. Given the obvious camaraderie and shared values, the four saw an opportunity to take their established working relationships further and offer client’s the very highest levels of client care and design excellence.
David and Scott have established an enviable reputation within the interior design industry over recent years: working on projects from the USA to Russia has brought them a string of awards and a truly international blue-chip client list…and a lot of Air Miles!
Over this period, the pair honed their particular expertise in the Leisure and Hospitality sectors, designing interior architecture projects from £100,000 to well over £100million in construction value. From small, beautifully crafted restaurant interiors to major leisure and casino resorts, their projects have benefitted from stunning design, attention to detail and commitment to exemplary client service.
In the workplace sector, David and Scott have enjoyed similar success. Together, whilst at careyjones, they won no less than 3 British Council of Offices (BCO) Awards and in 2009, they won ‘the double’ of Mixology ‘Commercial Fit-Out of the Year’ and ‘Design Practice of the Year’ for careyjones interiors.
Prior to the formation of Fuse, Mike Harris and Simon Clarke jointly ran the largest architecture and masterplanning team at careyjones architects in Leeds and Manchester. Together they were responsible for leading many of careyjones’ most noteworthy and striking projects - ranging in construction value from £250,000 to £250million. The pair undertook projects across most market sectors throughout the UK, winning a host of industry awards and delivering buildings that are instantly recognizable within the UK property market.
Mike and Simon have led teams that have delivered large, complex, mixed-use regeneration projects including Mike’s work at Festival Gardens in Liverpool and New Victoria Place in Bradford and Simon’s involvement with the Townside development in Bury. Most recently, Simon was part of the team that masterplanned the recently completed Granary Wharf scheme in Leeds and the design of the iconic Candle House as part of that development. The project has already won a string of awards including the 2010 White Rose Award for Architecture and the Supreme Award at the 2011 Housing Awards. Indeed, Mike and Simon led teams that designed and delivered a series of notable individual buildings whilst at careyjones, many of which can be seen in the Projects pages of this website. Mike acted as sector leader for careyjones in the Hotel and Higher Education sectors and Simon took on a similar role in the Workplace market. Alongside their team-running roles, Mike was also responsible at Board level for the practice’s marketing strategy and Simon had corporate responsibility for maintaining the highest standards of sustainable design.
The four Fuse principals also worked together with remarkable success on a number of other careyjones projects including several office buildings on the Thorpe Park development in Leeds and on the recently completed Casa Hotel and office scheme at Chesterfield.
Their combined skills and vast experience make them a formidable design team.
