Our advanced design methodology focuses on resolving early design challenges in an innovative, integrated and most importantly timely manner; it brings the following benefits:

• Consolidates a strategic multidisciplinary approach required at the early stages of building services design using in-house discipline experts.
• Delivers unique visual 3d sketch information quickly generated from our initial load assessments, effectively communicating plant requirements to achieve an integrated and coordinated design.
• Uses bespoke developed in-house computational modelling tools and parametric optimisation techniques to provide fast response data to inform the overall massing, façade detailing and quality of the external public realm, including terraces; focusing on user comfort and wellbeing.
• Challenges and drives the investigation of a wide range of innovative design solutions supported by informed engineering discipline experience and our energy and sustainability team.

We pride ourselves in being able to communicate the technical and non-technical aspects of the design in a concise and informative manner that engages the wider team and facilitates design resolutions.

Example services we can provide are listed below. These can be tailored to the project’s specific needs.

• Climatic and microclimatic analysis to derive overall environmental strategies
• Solar exposure assessment including programmatic/functional recommendations
• Massing analysis and masterplanning
• Passive design and energy strategies
• Façade environmental performance assessment
• Solar harm/benefit analysis
• Open space wind flow modelling
• Public realm annual comfort analysis
• Daylight design using climate-based daylight assessments and blind usage predictions
• Daylight quality assessments
• Special daylight interventions (heliostats, light pipes, etc)
• Multiparametric façade optimisation
• Natural ventilation design
• Energy demand assessments and design interventions for energy saving
• Design analysis and strategies for thermal comfort and wellbeing
• Quick 3d plant spatial assessment and coordination
• 2d and 3d early riser coordination
• New/Innovative technology appraisals

We work in many sectors where the engineering systems are critical to the continuing and successful operation of our clients’ business functions and facilities. These facilities include technology and data processing centres, financial trading, research and development centres as well as hospitals.

We strive to understand our clients’ business needs, to ensure that what we design aligns with their objectives. One question that is always asked;

“In the event that a mechanical and electrical engineering component or system fails, what is the impact, how does it affect our business?”

A difficult question, even more difficult when other factors are incorporated, such as the use and cost of energy, the energy source and the carbon footprint as well as how best to construct and to operate.

Balancing resilience, cost and energy reduction are some of the key aspects that we grapple with on a daily basis for each critical engineering projects. Our engineers are always thinking in these terms and constantly considering the question of ‘what if’ so they develop options and solutions particular to the brief, the location and the business’ need.

When working on critical engineering projects we are able to bring together all of the relevant disciplines in a turnkey format, including architecture, structural and civil engineering, environmental consultancy as well as MEP engineering design; our forte is being able to bind all of these together, particularly when integrating in a federated set of 3D models ready for BIM deployment. As the MEP engineering consultant we take the lead recognising that the technology and MEP elements drive the fundamental requirements for the facility.

We have a number of specialist tools to help us on our way, these include:

• Electrical system modelling using software such as ETAP and Neher-McGrath Ampacity calculation
  
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
  
• Statistical Single Point Of Failure (SPOF) analysis using Isograph’s FaultTree+
  
• Annualised PUE modelling to predict exact energy and carbon usage
  
• Air and water flow CFD modelling, both internally and externally using Flomeric and 6Sigma software
  
• Emissions assessments for compliance and certification for all types of combustion plant to meet local and national code requirements and regulations
  
• Utility maps and schematics to aid negotiation with power and energy providers
  
• Review and assessment of different energy sources including renewable and on-site generation, linked with requirements for standby energy supply.  We provide assessments on the risk of failures of utilities linked to potential energy storage on site, whether using kinetic stores batteries or similar.
  

Of course, all of the above are wrapped and integrated into our other engineering and consultancy offerings but we do pride ourselves on thinking differently when it comes to critical engineering.