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Alastair Wood
Technical Director, Structural Engineer
Structural engineering
Structural engineering support for residential, commercial and industrial buildings, from early advice through to design, construction and assessment.
Experienced structural engineers Timber, steel and concrete design Seismic assessment and strengthening Experienced structural engineers Timber, steel and concrete design Seismic assessment and strengthening Experienced structural engineers Timber, steel and concrete design Seismic assessment and strengthening Experienced structural engineers Timber, steel and concrete design Seismic assessment and strengthening
Our services
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Structural design that supports how your building will be used.
We design safe and efficient structural systems for homes, commercial buildings and industrial facilities, using materials such as timber, cross laminated timber, steel, masonry and concrete. Each design is tailored to suit the site, the architectural vision and how the building will be constructed.
We support projects from early concept through to construction, coordinating with our wider civil and geotechnical teams where needed. This helps align the structure with ground conditions, services and site constraints, resulting in practical, buildable solutions to meet the New Zealand Building Code.
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Foundation and retaining wall design for a wide range of sites.
Foundation and retaining wall design is a core part of our structural engineering services, supporting a wide range of residential projects. This includes standard sites as well as sloping or technically complex locations and architecturally designed houses where careful coordination is required.
Our work includes residential foundation design across TC1, TC2 and TC3 land, as well as sites near or within mass movement areas. We design retaining wall structures that support earthworks, buildings and access, working closely with our geotechnical and civil teams where needed to respond to ground conditions and drainage requirements.
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Helping you understand seismic risk and strengthening options.
We carry out Initial Seismic Assessments (ISAs) and Detailed Seismic Assessments (DSAs) for existing commercial and industrial buildings. Where strengthening is required, we develop practical structural designs to improve seismic performance and support compliance with current standards.
Our approach focuses on helping you understand how a building is likely to perform, where the risks sit and what strengthening options are available. This supports informed decisions around upgrades, change of use or compliance planning.
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Structural solutions for commercial and industrial buildings.
We support a wide range of commercial and industrial projects, from straightforward buildings through to larger developments. Our experience includes structural systems such as portal frames and tilt panel construction.
By working closely with architects, contractors and clients, we provide structural input from early design through to construction monitoring. This collaborative approach helps deliver solutions that meet functional needs, support efficient construction and reflect how the building will operate day to day.
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Independent structural assessments to help you understand what’s going on.
We provide independent structural assessments and reporting for insurance, pre-purchase and due diligence purposes, as well as following seismic events, weather damage or when defects are identified.
Our team inspects buildings, documents existing conditions and prepares detailed reports that help owners, purchasers, insurers and other stakeholders understand structural risks and next steps. Where issues relate to retaining structures or site conditions, we consider contributing factors such as drainage, loading and ground behaviour and can advise on appropriate remedial options.
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Assurance that the asset/structure is designed and built to meet the NZ Building Code.
Our experienced team can issue Producer Statements (PS) which help Building Consent Authorities (councils) decide whether they have reasonable grounds to accept that building work complies with the NZ Building Code. They do not have legal status in the Building Act, but councils rely on them as an important assurance tool.
A PS1 is issued by the designer to confirm that the design complies with the relevant clauses of the NZ Building Code.
A PS2 is an independent peer review of the PS1 design. It is issued by a suitably qualified reviewer who is not involved in the original design.
A PS4 is issued by the engineer who undertakes construction observations to verify that structural elements have been built according to the PS1 design and consented documents.
What it covers:
– Site visits at key construction stages
– Verification of foundations, reinforcement, framing, connections, or other critical structural elements
– Monitoring compliance with approved plans
HOW WE HELP
We take a considered approach to structural engineering, helping you understand what’s needed and what comes next.
Our structural engineers support projects at different stages, whether you need early advice, detailed design or independent assessment. We take a considered, step-by-step approach, focusing on understanding the building, the site and the requirements before developing structural solutions that support informed decision-making and smooth project delivery.
01
UNDERSTANDING THE BUILDING & SITE
We start by understanding the structure, site conditions and proposed use. This may include reviewing existing information, site inspections or carrying out structural assessments to identify constraints, risks and opportunities.
02
STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT & ADVICE
Where needed, we complete structural, foundation or seismic assessments. These help clarify current performance, identify issues and provide a clear technical basis for design decisions or next steps.
03
PRACTICAL STRUCTURAL DESIGN
We develop structural designs using appropriate materials and systems, tailored to the site and building. Our focus is on practical, buildable solutions that align with project requirements and current standards.
04
SUPPORTING DELIVERY & CONSTRUCTION
We remain involved through construction as needed, carrying out inspections and providing structural input to help confirm works align with the designed details.
Contact our leaders
Have a project in mind? Contact our multidisciplinary team to see how we can help.
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Our structural engineers focus on building strong relationships. We enjoy being on site and seeing projects take shape, taking the time to explain each step and offer clear, practical advice so clients feel confident throughout the process.
Alistair Wood
Technical Director, Structural Engineering
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Talk to a structural engineer
Tell us about your project or what you need and we’ll be in touch.
FAQ
Got questions? We’ve got answers.
Structural engineers design load supporting elements to account for the applied building loads as well as wind and earthquake loading and site-specific ground conditions. These designs comply with the New Zealand Building Code and support Building Consent applications with your local council. Structural engineers can also provide advice during construction, respond to technical queries, carry out inspections and provide signoff to confirm works align with the designed details.
To prepare accurate and appropriate designs or assessments, we typically require architectural drawings for your proposed building or alterations, relevant geotechnical reports and a clear scope outlining your project requirements. Providing this information helps us understand the site, the building and what’s proposed so we can tailor our advice and structural solutions accordingly.
Yes. Our structural engineers provide advice on suitable foundation options based on site conditions, load requirements and local regulations. This includes residential foundation design across TC1, TC2 and TC3 land, as well as sites influenced by instability or other ground considerations.
Yes. We provide retaining wall design for residential and commercial projects. Our assessments consider factors such as soil conditions, drainage and loading to develop structurally sound retaining solutions. As a multidisciplinary practice, we work closely with our geotechnical and civil teams where required so you have the best advice to suit your needs.
Yes. We complete both Initial Seismic Assessments (ISAs) and Detailed Seismic Assessments (DSAs) for existing commercial buildings. Where strengthening is required, we can develop structural designs to improve seismic performance and support compliance with current standards.
Yes. We have extensive experience carrying out earthquake damage assessments for homeowners, insurers and EQC following seismic events. Our work includes site inspections, evaluating damage, preparing detailed reports, peer reviews and providing expert input where required, including support through mediation or facilitation processes.
Yes. We regularly carry out structural assessments and reporting for insurance, pre-purchase and due diligence purposes, as well as following weather or other damage or when defects are identified. Our work includes inspections, documenting existing conditions and preparing clear reports that help clients understand structural risks and likely next steps.
Our structural team supports a wide range of residential projects, including new homes, extensions and alterations. This can include foundation design, retaining walls, seismic strengthening and structural input for architecturally designed houses across a variety of site conditions.
Everything. Our structural engineers work across residential, commercial and industrial projects. We also have extensive experience in structural design for rural and infrastructure projects. This includes new buildings, alterations, seismic assessments, foundation and retaining wall design, culverts, and structural reporting across a wide range of site conditions.