McElhanney’s Post

Talking about all things tall and how the Building Safety Act will impact on the design of tall buildings. At DP Squared Ltd (A DeSimone Company) we have a significant track record in the design and delivery of tall buildings. The Building Safety Act introduces a new regime for how we should comply with the Building Regulations and more importantly demonstrating competency as designers. If you are looking for advice on how to navigate these new processes, get in touch.

‘Urban Mining’ has been twice shortlisted at the BCI Awards! The venture, which is up for Initiative of the Year in both the ‘Carbon Net Zero’ and ‘Environment and Sustainability’ categories, reclaims tonnes of pre-war steel from The Elephant — the refurbishment of Oxford Street’s former House of Fraser — for reuse at TBC.London — a transformational low carbon office retrofit at Tower Bridge for FORE Partnership. Conceived during an industry cycling event, the scheme demonstrates the commitment to circularity by the teams across both projects. Civic Engineers liaised with McLaren Construction Group, the contractor on The Elephant refurbishment, to coordinate the removal and relocation of the 1930s steel. Our team then undertook rigorous structural testing of the steel and collaborated with the TBC.London contractor, Willmott Dixon, and client to incorporate as much as possible into the design and construction. As the work was progressing, guidance on the re-use of pre 1970s steel was published — it is thought that this is the first time that the guidance was used in practice. The approach saved approximately 48 tonnes of carbon compared to using new steelwork. #bcia #architectualaward #constructionaward #reclaimedsteel #materialreuse #structuralsteel #sustainability #circularity #architecture #engineering #builtenvironment 

A great way to end 2024! We’re thrilled to see our work on the transformation of YY London featured as the cover image in the latest issue of the ICE’s Civil Engineering Journal, published by Emerald Publishing This project in the heart of #CanaryWharf showcases the critical role of #constructionengineering in sustainable building reuse. McGee retained and reused much of the original composite-framed structure of 30 South Colonnade, dramatically reducing the project’s embodied CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) – a further step towards achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Our work tackled unique challenges, including disconnecting several bays of original bracing, staged construction of temporary stability, and adapting to decisions made decades ago when the structure was first designed. By combining expertise in temporary works, construction sequencing, and structural refurbishment, we delivered a highly sustainable modern workspace ready for the future. Proud to have collaborated with our partners @quadrant and Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. and grateful to the Institution of Civil Engineers and Emerald and the ICE for recognising the importance of this work. Congratulations to the McGee team for authoring this paper – a testament to the power of engineering innovation, construction engineering and collaboration. #temporaryworks #embodiedcarbon #sustainability #buildingreuse #civilengineering Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) #UNSDG12

How can intelligent design ensure efficiency of materials? How do we make structures that are both functional and beautiful? In this month’s session, hosted by Ramboll, the Shape My City students built bridges from paper straws and string, and weight-tested them to destruction! A number of bridges around Bristol Harbourside provided local inspiration on forms and structural solutions that could be used. Every group came up with a different design and one group even built a suspension bridge. Designs were judged not only on strength, but also on efficient material usage and aesthetics. 💫 Aged 15-18? Creative and full of ideas? Keen to #ShapeYourFuture? Applications for the 2024-25 programme are now open: https://lnkd.in/etvbshkt   #ShapeMyCity #TalentAccelerator #FutureLeaders #Ramboll #Engineering #StructuralEngineering #StructuralEngineer #BridgeEngineering #BristolBridge #ShapingBetterPlaces #HealthyCities #HappyCities #DesignForLife #DesignYourFuture

Sun's out ☀️ 💪, time for a site visit. PIONEER DESIGN AND BUILD LIMITED are making the most of the good weather and showing great progress in Telford for Total Developments. Interesting to see the various stages in construction for each unit. Neil Shuttleworth MEng CEng MICE Link Engineering HORIZON fletcher|rae : architects and master-planners #construction, #development, #structuralengineering #civilengineering #sheds

Revolutionizing Construction: The Legacy of the Industrial Revolution 🏗️🔧 The Industrial Revolution marked a pivotal moment in construction history, introducing radical changes in techniques and materials that define modern building practices today. This era saw the introduction of iron and steel in building frameworks, replacing wood, which transformed the skyline with the ability to build higher and stronger structures. Innovations such as the Portland cement and the safety elevator also emerged, enhancing the durability and functionality of buildings. At RVM Construction, we build on these historical foundations, using the best of past innovations combined with today's advanced technologies to ensure our projects are not only structurally sound but also sustainable and forward-thinking. #IndustrialRevolution #ConstructionEvolution #RVMConstruction

🌲 Designing for the Future: Mass Timber with a DfMA Approach 🌍 Excited to share this insightful article published by Civil + Structural Engineer Media, exploring how a #DfMA approach is shaping the future of #MassTimber design and engineering. At Mercer Mass Timber, we are committed to leveraging innovative methodologies like DfMA to deliver sustainable, efficient, and high-performing building solutions. This approach aligns perfectly with our mission to reduce carbon footprints, optimize project workflows, and support the global transition toward greener construction practices. 💡 Learn how DfMA is redefining Mass Timber construction for a greener tomorrow on this link 👉 https://lnkd.in/g2dS56kG I’d love to hear your thoughts on how #DfMA could shape the construction industry's future! Let's discuss in the comments. #MassTimber #Sustainability #DfMA #GreenConstruction #MercerMassTimber

The MacLeod Engineering Building at UBC has set a benchmark in sustainable retrofitting, earning the 2024 Canadian Green Building Awards' Institutional (Large) Award. This ambitious renovation preserved 73% of the 1960s building's concrete structure, enhancing its seismic resilience and modernizing it for 21st-century learning. With innovations like a high-performance precast envelope, solar shading, and efficient heat recovery systems, the project demonstrates how thoughtful design can extend a structure's lifecycle, reduce carbon impact, and meet contemporary standards. For civil engineers and construction professionals, it’s a model of balancing heritage preservation with sustainability. Photo Credit: Andrew Latreille Photography Click the link below to learn more! https://lnkd.in/gyVCq5pm . . . #BertoContractors #Construction #CivilEngineering #Sustainability #Vancouver #BritishColumbia #UBC #EngineeringTrends

Complex sites demand equally complex solutions. Today we are highlighting the Portillo's, Vequity Construction did in Cicero, IL. This site had several intricate challenges posed by years of urban infill, where buildings are continually erected and demolished, underscoring the necessity for sophisticated engineering solutions. Insert, Geopiers which is a cost-effective alternative to more extensive foundation systems like deep foundations or massive earthwork. #UrbanInfill #EngineeringChallenges

Another step forward for Legendre into the world of modular construction.