Profile | Design ID

Our Practice

Founded in 2005, Design ID is an award-winning civil & structural engineering practice, with a reputation for innovative design solutions and lateral thinking. From our offices in Hillsborough (County Down) and London, we have developed a diverse portfolio of work, extending throughout the UK and Ireland.

Our team of dynamic, creative and ambitious engineers and designers are known for their flexible and pro-active approach towards working with architects, artists, designers, developers and contractors.

Our experience of working within multidisciplinary teams enables us to make a positive contribution at the early stages of the design process, where our engineering input can help achieve elegant and cost-effective solutions.

Skills & Expertise

We pride ourselves on developing skills and expertise beyond those of traditional structural engineers. Our work combines the informed use of technology with our extensive experience of working with a wide range of materials.

Our projects consist of large-scale residential developments, commercial, healthcare, hotels, bespoke residential properties, education, leisure, cultural buildings and retail. We also have considerable experience of remedial and refurbishment work in the conservation of historic buildings.

Our knowledge and skills include:

General building structures

Steel framed structures
Reinforced and pre-stressed concrete
Timber frames, floors and roofs
Load-bearing masonry structures
Aluminium structures
Temporary works design and appraisal
Foundation and basement design

Specialist Structures

Furniture, Signage and lighting systems
Specialist staircases and balustrades
Sculpture and artworks
3D modeling and analysis
Refurbishment and re-modeling of historic and listed structures
Lightweight structures, fabric, cable nets, and other geometrically non-linear structures.
Structural glass design and detailing

Civil Infrastructure

Road, Rail and Pedestrian Bridges
Marine Structures and Coastal Protection
Public Realm Infrastructure & landscape engineering
Asset Protection by inspection, strengthening and refurbishment
Retaining Structures
Temporary Works & Design for Demolition

Added Value Services

Due Diligence appraisals
Expert Witness
Construction Logistics & Feasibility Modelling
Project Management to Statutory Approvals

The Team

We have developed a practice where research, material and technical knowledge are key in providing services beyond those of the more traditional engineering consultants. Our work covers an unusually wide range, both in nature and scale, with projects varying from minor alterations and extensions, to major new buildings and refurbishment projects. We use the most recent developments in materials and construction techniques to keep at the fore of our ever evolving industry.

We have developed the skills required to engineer geometrically and structurally complex projects. Three dimensional computer modelling is becoming an integral aspect in realising many design visions and we are able to use our skills in this area at conceptual stages to help other members of the design team and clients visualise various solutions

Our approach, along with our creative background allows us to work in harmony with Architects without compromising the integrity of their concept. This inspires and drives us to create ingenious, forward thinking but appropriate designs to overcome engineering difficulties and material limitations.

We have also continued to build on our pro-active and enthusiastic relationship with major Contractors to expand on our Design & Build offering. We have therefore been able to offer efficient design services on a range of structural and civil infrastructure projects, including design for temporary works and construction logistics feasibility.

Well-being - Taking Care of Our Crew

At Design ID taking care of our crew is top priority. We do this in many ways, we love and take care of our work environment, our teams, we work hard and play hard.

Providing a positive working environment and providing appropriate support, work hand in hand to promote and support mental wellbeing within our company. Much of the work we do is technical but there’s another skill we all need to have: the interpersonal kind. It isn’t optional.

Support mechanisms to promote wellbeing include:

Dedicated HR Manager
Mental Health First Aider
Employee Assistance Programme
Sports and Social Committee providing a range of team building activities

Gender Equality

Design ID actively support our employees, regardless of gender and provide equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities. Whilst the gender pay gap in the construction industry is 18%, we are proud to declare at Design ID that a gender pay gap does not exist - salaries per role are equal, with employees being measured by their ability, not their gender.

Did you know that only 6% of Chartered Members of the Institution of Structural Engineers are female? Currently in Design ID 25% of our MIStructE staff are female.

We are always aiming for balance; whilst the UK average for female engineers is 12%, we are currently at 30% and continuously improve on this. Our female engineers are in influential positions on the ICE and IStructE committees and tutor at local Universities, acting as role models for current and future engineers

Recent Awards

2021 IStructE Project Winner -Top of the Hill
2021 IStructE Project Winner -SRC Banbridge

2020 IStructE Project Award Winner - FX Building
2020 NCE100 Shortlisted - 'Impact in Bridges'

2019 IStructE Project Award Winner - Ballynameen Bridge
2019 Concrete Society - Best Civil Engineering Projects - Ballynameen Bridge Repair and Refurbishment
2019 NCE 100 Innovation in Project Initiation

2018 IStructE Project Award Winner - Former Maysfield Leisure Centre for Concentrix
2018 NCE100 Trending 20
2018 Regional Group Prize from IStructE - Innovation in the Design & Construction of Temporary Works on various projects

2017 NCE100 - Placed 83
2017 Concrete Society Award - Innovative Temporary Works by Design ID & McFarland Associates Ltd- Senator House
2017 Regional Group Prize from IStructE - Conservation and Restoration of St Mel's Cathedral, Longford

2016 IStructE Project Award Winner – Clic Sargent, Belfast
2016 IABSE Design Competition Winner – Strabane Pedestrian Cycle Bridge

2015 IStructE Project Award Winner – Weavers Court, Belfast
2015 RIBA House of the Year - Shortlist - House Maghera by McGonigle McGrath
2015 RIBA National Award - House Maghera by McGonigle McGrath
2015 RICS Northern Ireland - Regeneration - Larne Market Yard Highly Commended

2014 RIBA Award - Home from Home RVH by McGonigle McGrath
2014 RSUA Award - Home from Home RVH by McGonigle McGrath

2013 RIBA Stirling Prize - Shortlist - Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre by Heneghan Peng

2012 RIBA Award - 109 Osborne Park Belfast by ARD (ciaran mackel) Architects

Accreditations

Constructionline - Ref 69496
SER Approved Certifiers of Design
TRADA Member
Concrete Society Members