Landmark developments throughout the country

MacArdle McSweeney Associates (MMA) has played a pivotal role in many of Dublin’s highest profile office developments. These include PWC Corporate Headquarters; the largest single office complex, the Montevetro Tower its tallest commercial office building; and the iconic National Convention Centre, the largest single-use building constructed in Ireland in recent years. [caption id="attachment_38482" align="alignleft" width="300"] National Convention Centre Atrium[/caption] MMA won the prestigious ACEI President’s Award for Excellence in the Design of the Mechanical and Electrical Services to the Convention Centre for its innovative use of technology with features such as a thermal-wheel heat-recovery system and an ice-storage thermal storage unit.

New Alliance

In 2015, MMA became part of the Headcount Group, and it is now based in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin.  The combined MMA and Headcount Engineering practice trades as MMA Consulting Engineers. As well as giving MMA access to the latest BIM and 3D design technology and it also allows it to scale up its manpower resources for the largest of infrastructural projects while still offering the lean partner-centric design teams that have been a hallmark of its past successes. Headcount is Ireland’s largest outsourced engineering provider with clients in the food & beverage, pharmaceutical, semi-conductor and construction industries. They have also amassed a significant pool of engineers at their head office working on diverse international projects, such as a brewery in Mexico, a bakery in Saudi and with a food equipment manufacturer in Denmark.

The Power of 3D & Digital scanning

Director Damien Egan is pleased to report that the alliance has been a resounding success and that business is currently brisk: “It’s picking up substantially,” he notes. “We currently have 32 staff, including a team of fully resourced 3D BIM and Revit design technicians.” Innovation is a priority in delivering high quality service to clients and by embracing the use of 3D design and digital scanners, MMA Consulting Engineers is now at the cutting edge when it comes to delivering services using the latest technological advances. “People initially struggle to see why they might need it but as soon as we show them what can be done with a 3D model and how we can map out the building, they quickly see how useful it is and the multitude of advantages it brings, including very significant coordination and cost efficiencies” says Damien.

Working with Developers, Architects & Quantity Surveyors

MMA Consulting Engineers is fully resourced to provide a portfolio of M&E design services at competitive rates to cater for the recent resurgence of activity in the public and private residential sectors. At planning stage, their 3D modelling team uses a terrestrial laser scanner to quickly provide models of the surrounding buildings so that they can easily extend their energy modelling brief to sunlight and shadow modelling for planning purposes. [caption id="attachment_38480" align="alignleft" width="663"] Solar Exposure Analysis[/caption] This approach has helped developers and architects consistently attain planning approval for high density developments. Their energy modelers use a suite of LEED tools to help clients optimise the return on commercial projects by delivering the right balance between construction costs for the quantity surveyor and energy running costs for the occupier while attaining the highest sustainability standards. You may contact Damian Egan at: MMA Consulting Engineers, 4E Fingal Bay Business Park, Balbriggan, County Dublin Tel: 01 6905040 Email: info@mma.ie Web: mma.ie