PRACTICE PORTFOLIOWinter 2014/15

www.conceptstructures.co.uk

About Us

Concept Structures Consulting is a smallengineering consultancy based in Salford. Thecompany was set up to provide clients with aresponsive resource regardless of the size ofclient organisation.

We aim to be innovative, helpful, informative andreliable throughout the design process and havesecured continued repeat business due to ourapproach.

Our Goal

It is our aim to become a leading smallconsultancy working on projects around the NorthWest. The intention to remain a small practice isdeliberate as we feel that this provides clients witha better service, with known points of contact andworking relationships that go beyond the typicalclient consultant relationship.

In summary we aim to build a brand renowned fora quality service and product.

The Team

We endeavour to maintain the correct teambalance as the company grows and provide thecorrect balance of skills to ensure projects areresourced adequately. We encourage a teamethic within the office such that staff A full list ofstaff curriculum Vitae is available on request,however brief details of key points of contact aregiven below:

Colin Gray (Director)B.eng. Hons. CEng. MIStructE

Founding director of Concept Structures with 20years experience working on projects rangingfrom £500k to £15m value in residential,Healthcare, Education, commercial and industrialsectors.

Whilst the founder of the company Colin is stillactively involved in the design of projects.Colin is also a visiting tutor at Manchester Schoolof Architecture.

Damion Wall (Senior Engineer)Bsc Hons

Damion has been with Concept for 8 years sincebeing recruited as an undergraduate. Damioncompleted his Bsc by day release whilst workingat Concept and so our team and work ethic hasbeen part of Damions education alongside hisacademic studies.

Damion is a hard working, technically able andcustomer oriented member of staff who is highlyvalued by both the company and our clients.

Philosophy

We believe that to be a successful part of thedesign team, we must understand the client’sgoals and objectives and understand andappreciate other designer’s aspirations for theproject.

We therefore endeavour to communicateeffectively with the client and design team frominception to completion, and to be flexible in ourapproach to our work such that our service can betailored to suit feedback received on each project.

Our core beliefs are:

● Good teamwork can only be achieved if allteam members have good working rela-tionships and communicate effectively andregularly.

● We cannot be blinkered when approach-ing a design and consider only structuralconsiderations. All designs are carried outwith careful consideration of the architec-ture, build ability, safety and cost.

● Drawings and specifications must be ex-cellently presented to ensure our designsare effectively communicated.

● Think laterally and innovatively at incep-tion such that design alternatives are con-sidered prior to progressing with thecorrect detailed design proposal.

● Support and encourage our staff as theyare our biggest asset. We encourage andrun in house CPD and promote highereducation.

● Be positive at all times, and encouragepositive supportive attitudes in our place ofwork such that a positive team ethos ismaintained in the design office.

Technical

We have to date and will continue to invest incurrent technology such that we are always at thecutting edge of modern design techniques. Weuse modern 3d modelling, analysis, design anddetailing software to ensure design efficiency.

We are members of the Institution of StructuralEngineers.

Best Practice

We have excellent QA and management systemsand use ‘Archetype’ management software toensure good QA is maintained.

We are based in open plan offices to promote aknowledge sharing culture, such that in addition toformal technical reviews and standard checkingprocedures all projects get input from the wholeoffice.

No drawings can leave the office without approvalby a senior member of staff.

Selected ProjectsDetailed in brief

Lytham Quays, Lytham St Anne’s.Client: Redrow HomesArchitects: Mimar Architects

A 6 storey apartment building in coastal locationcompleted in early 2014.

The building was designed using steel frameconstruction with piled foundations. Buildingdesign and analysis was completed using 3dmodelling techniques to ensure efficient designand deal with complex roof geometry.

Whitechapel Road, Tower Hamlets.Client: Newmark DevelopmentsArchitects: Aros Architects

A 6 storey Student Accommodation, Office andretail Development completed as temporaryaccommodation for London 2012 Olympics, withpermanent use as Student Accommodation.

The building was designed using a combinationof steel frame and traditional masonryconstruction for economy and build ability onconstrained inner city site. Completed June2012.

The Villas. Lytham St Anne’sClient: Redrow HomesArchitects: Redrow Homes

Concept Structures provided structural designconsultancy for the design of 10 luxury 3/4 storeysplit level detached houses on coastal site atLytham Quays, Lytham St. Anne’s.

All plots were essentially traditional masonryconstruction with isolated steel frame works toform habitable roof spaces and open aspect rearelevations. A large insitu concrete retaining wallwas designed to facilitate excavating in to the siteto form split level plots.

Smithills Coaching House, BoltonClient: Jones HomesArchitects: Atelier MB

Concept Structures are providing full structuralengineering consultancy for the development ofthis grade 2 listed coaching house in to residentialdwellings, together with the construction of newhousing on the surrounding site.

We are working closely with the developer andarchitect to ensure all designs are in keeping withthe buildings heritage whilst also providingmodern living accommodation.

Shavington High SchoolClient: Shavington High SchoolArchitects: Aidan Simpson ArchitectsQS: Simon Fenton Partnership

Concept Structures provided full civil andstructural design consultancy for this IT suiteextension to an existing high school near Crewe,Cheshire.

The steel frame structure and connectionsremained exposed for educational purposes, andthe structure was clad with SIP panel roof andwalls design to appear to be draped over thestructure.

Greenbank SchoolClient: Shavington High SchoolArchitects: Aidan Simpson ArchitectsQS: Simon Fenton Partnership

Concept Structures provided consultancy forseveral phases of this project including the Adminblock extension shown.

We hope to continue our relationship with theschool and are currently working on the extensionof the existing car park and associated drainage.

New Homeless Centre, SalfordClient: Salvation Army HousingAssociationArchitects: Jennings Design

Concept Structures provided full civil andstructural consultancy to the Salvation Army andBarnes Construction for the construction of thisnew homeless centre procured by design andbuild.

The building was a mix of traditional and steelframe construction and provided recreationalspace, care facilities, and living accommodationfor homeless people in Salford.

For more information on any of the projects included in this portfolio,or for enquires as to how Concept Structures

can assist your structural demands contact us:

tel: 0161 278 2513email: colingray@conceptstructures.co.uk

twitter: @conceptstruct

www.conceptstructures.co.uk