As Wallace Whittle approaches its 60th anniversary, we are also celebrating another significant milestone in the East of Scotland: our Edinburgh office has turned three years old. After a period of growth and the recent completion of our office expansion on Thistle Street, there is no better time to reflect on the past few years.

Over these three years, our Edinburgh team has grown from three to thirty members, and the office has flourished. From taking on a wide range of projects in and around Edinburgh, and across the UK, to nurturing the professional growth of our staff, our Edinburgh office has seen remarkable development in a short period of time. To mark this occasion, we look back on the past three years of our Edinburgh office—the projects, the team that have shaped it, and the exciting future ahead.

Early Days and Initial Growth 

Our Edinburgh office first opened in 2021 at Lochrin Square, shortly after our MBO. Rapid growth soon required an office expansion, leading us to our current location at 38 Thistle Street. Situated parallel to George Street in the heart of the New Town, Thistle Street is an ideal location for us, surrounded by an array of small local businesses and cafes which foster a sense of community.  

In 2021, when the office moved to Thistle Street, our Edinburgh office underwent a significant fit-out. This was designed to reflect the quality and standardisation of our Glasgow head office, ensuring consistency across our locations. Emphasising collaboration and dynamic workspaces, our office features a soundproof pod, collaborative workspaces, a spacious meeting room and social space.  

Our initial team comprised Director and Head of Sustainability Stephen Osborne, Associate Director Jacob Bredski, and Principal Mechanical Engineer Kiyomi Honjigawa—all of whom have witnessed and contributed to the remarkable growth of our Edinburgh office over the past three years. We spoke to Stephen to hear his thoughts on the team’s growth and success in Edinburgh. 

“I have been fortunate to have clients and industry friends who have supported our growth, along with colleagues who joined me at Wallace Whittle’s Edinburgh office. The energy and focus within the business after our MBO in April 2021, and the support from Allan McGill and my colleagues, have been invaluable. The calibre of our team is evident in the major projects and repeat commissions we’ve secured. I feel privileged and proud to be part of this journey.” Stephen Osborne

Edinburgh Expansion

With our recent expansion completed on the second floor of 38 Thistle Street, we have significantly increased our office capacity, paving the way for further team expansion. Adding an extra meeting room allows both external and internal meetings to run concurrently. With the expanded office positioned higher within the building, this area also benefits from abundant natural light through the original windows, further enhancing the workspace environment.

With this expansion, our office can now accommodate up to 40 members of staff, and the new space reflects our dedication to standardisation across our office designs and provides the same high-spec level of technology and equipment, with our 40 inch curved screens, plug & go hot-desking and the best office coffee you’ll find!

Team and Expertise

Our Edinburgh team displays a variety of specialisms and expertise, forming a close-knit and collaborative group. These diverse experiences enable us to deliver high-quality services across all our clients’ needs, regardless of sector, resulting in a varied and impressive project portfolio. This diversity benefits our team, offering them opportunities to take on responsibilities and expand their skillsets!

The Edinburgh office is home to a wide range of disciplines, from MEP and Marketing to HR and Sustainability. Our culture prioritises communication and collaboration across these fields. Our team of 30 professionals brings expertise in Revit & BIM, WELL, BREEAM, NABERS, WiredScore, and Whole Life Carbon Assessments. The hot-desking setup encourages staff to interact, collaborate, and learn from each other. The office, beautifully designed with collaboration and social spaces, features office-wide music with our own playlists, and hosts regular staff and client events. These elements have been instrumental in fostering a positive and collaborative workforce.

Stephen added, “We work hard and focus on keeping quality high in everything we do, and balance that with positive culture and energy. That energy has had an injection, with a lot of younger staff including our amazing Degree Apprentices driving down the average age. I am easily the oldest in the office, but the team still let me play!”  

Project Highlights

The market in Scotland requires our Edinburgh office to be adaptable, seamlessly functioning across various sectors. Our Edinburgh team excels in both private and public sector developments, showcasing their expertise and versatility, collaborating with wonderful clients from diverse sectors, including education, residential, retail, healthcare, and commercial sectors, among others.

The ability to serve a diverse range of projects enables our team to deliver customised solutions and designs that meet the unique needs of each client. Whether it’s developing innovative educational facilities such as Maybole Community Campus, creating sustainable residential projects like West Town, or modernising office spaces for clients such as Virgin Money, our Edinburgh office consistently rises to the occasion. This diversity of projects not only drives our growth and success but also reflects the dedication and talent of our staff.   

Sustainability

In addition to his role as head of our Edinburgh office, Stephen Osborne also leads our Sustainability team across Wallace Whittle, from our sustainability staff in Edinburgh and Glasgow, to further afield in Aberdeen, England and Northern Ireland. Sustainability is a fundamental part of our business at Wallace Whittle, and our Edinburgh office is proud to host a dedicated team of sustainability, energy, and NZC (Net Zero Carbon) specialists. Our Sustainability team offers comprehensive expertise to support a wide range of developments, ensuring that we can actively contribute to a more sustainable future.

Our services, including building physics, compliance, certification, and carbon assessment, enable our team to make a significant impact on each project. From the very inception of projects, our staff are involved in the critical planning and appraisal processes. This early engagement allows us to shape and influence the sustainability outcomes of developments, ensuring they meet stringent environmental standards and contribute positively to the community.

“As Head of Sustainability as well as our Edinburgh office lead, it is an exciting place to be and means I regularly visit other offices to push our expertise across the UK. One of the things I’m most proud of is the bespoke methodology we have developed for analysis and cost-effective refurbishment and repurposing of existing buildings, considering Health and Wellbeing, as well as embodied and operational carbon. This offers significant added value for our clients.” Stephen shared.

Looking Forward 

With Wallace Whittle celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and our Edinburgh office recently completing its expansion within the Thistle Street location, we are excited about what the next few years hold for our Edinburgh team. Our Edinburgh office is currently in the pre-planning stages for various significant developments across the UK, including BTR, PBSA, offices and HE/FE.

Reflecting on the future of the Edinburgh office, Stephen Osborne shared, “Our policy of prioritising our staff and helping them reach their full potential remains top of our agenda, and our clients value this approach too. As our client base continues to grow, we will respond to that demand, a demand that I am very grateful for it. Significantly, we are seeing a greater proportion of larger projects year on year. What will not change, though, is our unwavering commitment to the quality and consistency of our work and the service we provide.”

With the recent completion of the Edinburgh office expansion and our growing team across various specialties, our Edinburgh office is on track for continued development and consistent delivery in the coming years!

If you would like to discuss your next project, sustainability goals or NZC, feel free to reach out to Stephen directly.

We currently have a number of roles available in our Edinburgh Office and wider Sustainability team, see these below or visit our Careers page.

WWith the summer holidays drawing to a close across the UK, we took the opportunity to connect with some of the students who spent their summer with us for work experience this year.  

In engineering, access to work experience is incredibly beneficial for students, whether they are in secondary school, college, or university. It not only helps students refine and acquire new skills, but it also provides them with the opportunity to expand their professional networks and explore different specialties within the industry. This hands-on experience that we offer is invaluable in helping students understand their options and make informed decisions about their future careers. 

At Wallace Whittle, we value the opportunity to educate and guide the next generation of engineers, whether through work experience placements, apprenticeships, or our graduate schemes.

We aim to give students a taste of the various disciplines within our offices, from electrical and mechanical engineering to sustainability and BIM/CAD. We also offer work experience opportunities in other areas, such as finance and marketing. 

Since students are sometimes unsure of the specific area they want to specialise in, experiencing a range of activities within engineering can help them focus their interests and may even ignite a passion for something they had not anticipated! 

This summer, our Glasgow office hosted Fenella, a secondary school student, for a work experience placement. During her time with us, she worked with several of our engineers, exploring different areas of mechanical and electrical engineering. She also learned mechanical calculations and gained hands-on experience with basic systems in a BIM 360 model—skills that are rarely taught in secondary school. 

Fenella left Wallace Whittle with practical skills and a clearer understanding of how she wants to progress in her final two years of secondary school. 

“The team at Wallace Whittle were very welcoming and supportive during my work experience, especially John and Asim. They were always open to questions, no matter how big or small. I had the chance to learn and apply what I had learned!“ Fenella also shared. 

John, one of our Glasgow Associates who mentored Fenella during her time with us, also shared:

“I was fortunate enough to be given an opportunity as a graduate with Wallace Whittle, and 15 years later, I’m still fortunate to work on a vast range of projects across various sectors—all while continuing to learn and develop my own skills. It’s incredibly rewarding to see students come through the Wallace Whittle doors, develop their skills, and leave feeling encouraged and motivated to continue this career path. Hopefully, I’m contributing to the learning and development of others coming through behind me.” 

At Wallace Whittle, we not only provide students with a variety of tasks across different disciplines, but we also tailor our approach based on their age and experience level. We have a training project specifically designed to accommodate various levels of experience and knowledge, allowing students to learn at their own pace. Depending on the length of their work experience, this can evolve into direct input on live project designs. 

For older students, such as those currently studying at university, we offer opportunities to work independently. This experience is invaluable not only for gaining practical skills but also for adapting to the professional environment. University students are rarely exposed to office settings as part of their course, so having the chance to work independently in such an environment can help to ease the transition from academia to full-time employment. 

This summer, our Edinburgh office hosted Minnie, an Architectural Engineering student from Heriot-Watt University who is about to begin her fifth year to obtain her integrated Master’s degree. During her time with us, Minnie has worked on various tasks, gaining experience across different disciplines within the office: from Sustainability to Mechanical. 

“The office atmosphere is incredibly welcoming, and I have enjoyed learning from the professionals here!” Minnie also shared. 

During her time here, Minnie worked alongside several members of our Edinburgh team, including Euan, one of our Graduate MEP Engineers. Euan shared his thoughts on mentoring students:

“The services in buildings can often go unnoticed by those not involved in their design or installation. It’s rewarding to see students gain knowledge in areas they’ve never had to consider before—and even more so to watch them apply that knowledge to the tasks we give them.” 

We also spoke to Jennifer, one of our Senior Mechanical Engineers, who also mentored Minnie during her time with us. Jennifer noted:

“Minnie is currently taking the same course at university that I graduated from a few years ago. It’s been great to see her applying the skills she’s learned at uni in the industry, and hopefully, it helps her make sense of the theory taught in class.”

Work experience placements play a crucial role in shaping the future careers of students, providing them with practical exposure that complements their academic learning. By stepping into a real-world work environment, students can bridge the gap between theory and practice, gaining firsthand experience in how concepts are applied in everyday engineering tasks.  

At Wallace Whittle, we strive to create an environment that nurtures and develops the engineers of the future, equipping them for further education or a career in the industry. With our expected growth and the opening of new offices in Birmingham and Manchester, we anticipate hiring an additional 30 junior staff members over the next three years.  

If you’re interested in joining Wallace Whittle or learning more about our work experience and apprenticeship programs, please reach out to us at [email protected] or visit our dedicated webpage: https://www.wallacewhittle.com/apprenticeships/  

As we approach the three-month milestone since our expansion into Birmingham and our new office, we spoke to Darren Wright, Birmingham Location Director, to catch up on how things are progressing in the WWest Midlands, the exciting projects that our team are working on and plans for the future.  

Back in May of this year, we announced our expansion further into England with our new offices in Manchester and Birmingham, and the addition of our New Location Director, Darren Wright. Since then, we have witnessed our Birmingham team continue to grow and settle in to the WW Way.

Settling into life at Wallace Whittle

It has been a busy first few months for Darren and the team in Birmingham. Reflecting on the initial period, Darren shared: 

“It’s been a positive start in the new office, with a smooth induction into life at Wallace Whittle. We’ve onboarded new staff and collaborated with other offices on major projects. It has been wonderful to meet and connect with fellow directors, such as Andy Forbes in Aberdeen, Stephen Osborne in Edinburgh, and our closest neighbor, Paul Dean, who supports us from Manchester and Warrington”

At Wallace Whittle, collaboration and communication are fundamental to our success, ensuring our teams can work seamlessly together across various locations and projects. This inter connectivity is facilitated through our emphasis on quality and standardisation, enabling our teams to leverage diverse expertise and collaborate effectively. 

Our Birmingham team combines local knowledge with industry-wide expertise, covering a broad range of disciplines and sectors. While residential and commercial projects are strongholds for the Birmingham team, their proficiency extends to mixed-use developments, office fit-outs, and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). Darren elaborated: 

“Patryk, our Senior Public Health Engineer, and I have substantial experience in the residential sector. I have also worked in a team specialising in office fit-out projects and gained valuable experience in various sectors across the UK and Internationally. Harry, our Senior Electrical Engineer, complements our team with his extensive expertise in commercial projects and residential developments. Together, along with the rest of the team, we are well-equipped to handle a diverse range of projects.”  

Key Projects and Sectors

The current market in the UK necessitates that our Birmingham office remains adaptable, seamlessly functioning across various sectors. In collaboration with our 8 offices in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, we leverage our ability to serve a diverse range of industries. This adaptability enables our team to deliver customised solutions and designs that meet the unique needs of each client. 

Some of Birmingham’s current works include the following:

With the Birmingham Smithfield project receiving approval from the city council’s planning committee in June, and Wembley Greenway securing funding with construction expected to begin by the end of this year to welcome the first students for the 2027/28 academic year, it’s been a busy few months for our newly opened office. In addition, these significant projects, we are actively engaged in further developments within the PBSA and Life Sciences sectors. We look forward to sharing more details about these projects soon. 

Events and Community Engagement 

Since the office launch in May, Darren represented our new West Midlands office at UKREiFF from May 21-23, alongside our other regional directors. The West Midlands UKREiFF sessions underscored the region’s transformative power as a driving force for real estate and regeneration opportunities. This proved highly relevant to our Birmingham team and their current projects, including our work on High Street in Digbeth, a significant residential development featuring 481 units. 

“UKREiFF provided an excellent opportunity to network and learn from other directors while gaining insights into ongoing projects within the local area. It was particularly valuable to hear from speakers who outlined the critical updates following the 2023 trailblazer deals impacting Manchester and the West Midlands. These trailblazer deals, which aim to decentralise power and grant more autonomy to local authorities, have a direct influence on our projects in Birmingham and surrounding regions.”  

As part of our commitment to community engagement, every Wallace Whittle office supports a local charity. Our Birmingham office has chosen to fundraise for St Basils, an organisation that assists young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. St Basils supports over 4,000 young people annually across the West Midlands region. In line with this commitment, members of our Birmingham office participated in the Hike for Homeless initiative to raise funds for St Basils. This challenging 23-mile hike, featuring climbs of 468m, 341m, and 596m, took place against the stunning backdrop of Sugar Loaf Mountain. This effort highlights our dedication to making a positive impact, both locally and regionally, as we continue to strengthen our presence in Birmingham and beyond! 

Local Market and Community

Our Birmingham office is actively working to integrate into the local market and community. Through targeted efforts to build brand awareness, we’re looking to address unique market challenges and establish a strong presence within this region, and beyond.

“It’s been great to join Wallace Whittle during such an exciting period of expansion and growth across the business. The past three months have been particularly busy for us here in Birmingham. Promoting the company’s proud history of delivering quality products and service is fundamental to maintaining our existing local client base and shaping relationships with future clients. Our efforts will continue to focus on integrating into the local market while upholding the high standards that Wallace Whittle is known for.” 

Feedback from initial meetings with clients in the area has been overwhelmingly positive, underscoring the value of our services and approach. By leveraging the local expertise of our Birmingham staff and collaborating with the offices from further afield, this ensures that projects resonate with the community and meet the specific needs of our clients.   

WWith the first three months of our Birmingham office complete, we eagerly look to the future of the region. From the exciting projects currently underway to upcoming initiatives, the development of our existing staff, and the further growth of our team, we are committed to contributing to the region’s growth and development. 

As Wallace Whittle continues to expand and innovate, we invite you to explore our career opportunities in the region. If you’re interested in joining our forward-thinking team or have a project that could benefit from our expertise, we encourage you to get in touch at [email protected] or explore the roles listed below. 

It’s been a few months since Steven Dunn, our Scotland Director joined us at Wallace Whittle. To get a deeper insight into his experiences and thoughts on his journey so far, we caught up with him over coffee at our favourite local spot in Edinburgh.  

We first caught up with Steven in our Edinburgh office to see how he is settling in and to discuss the projects that have significantly shaped his first 100 days. With major initiatives underway across Scotland and across various sectors, Steven highlighted the Monklands Replacement Project as particularly noteworthy. This project stands out not only for its internal task force within Wallace Whittle but also for the external collaboration involved and the overall importance of this state-of-the-art healthcare facility. 

The Monklands Replacement Project, one of our current healthcare endeavors, involves a significant team effort from multiple offices. Steven shared: 

“Without a doubt, Monklands Replacement Project is one of my project highlights, the level of collaboration involved across the Scottish and English businesses has been fantastic, and it’s a testament to the teams and the technical quality that has gone into it so far.”  

Recently, we reached a significant milestone on the Monklands Replacement Project with full planning approval granted by North Lanarkshire Council for the digital and Net Zero Hospital in Airdrie. The progress of Monklands has generated significant buzz, not only within our offices but across the industry as a whole. 

Culture & Ethos

Steven joined our existing team of Directors in the Scottish region, which includes Glasgow Director Barry McKeane, Edinburgh Director Stephen Osborne, and Aberdeen Director Andy Forbes. Based out of our Edinburgh office on Thistle Street in the heart of the New Town, Steven has quickly integrated into our vibrant company culture.  

At Wallace Whittle, we pride ourselves on fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment, and the ongoing growth across our regions has brought several fresh faces to our offices. Including new team members in sustainability, MEP disciplines, and even a few trainees and work experience participants. When asked about his transition to Wallace Whittle, Steven shared: 

“From Day One, I’ve been made to feel welcome, the whole team has been great to help get me settled in quickly, and that is not just in Edinburgh and Glasgow, it’s across the whole Scottish region. To the guys in Northern Ireland, to the team down in the newly opened Manchester and Birmingham office, it has just been a seamless transition, and it feels like I have been here more than 100 days” 

Collaboration is at the core of our company culture, with the welcoming of new faces into our team showcasing this as we work seamlessly across our eight offices in the UK. Our optimised systems and standardised approach allows our newer staff, and established team members alike, to collaborate effortlessly with clients and fellow colleagues. This interconnectivity not only strengthens relationships across disciplines and regions but also ensures that every team member, new and old, can contribute to our overarching success. 

Future Growth

With Steven joining the team in February, and with the addition of our recent expansions in Birmingham led by Darren Wright and Manchester led by Paul Dean, this signifies promising growth within the UK. With vast expertise shared amongst our directors covering numerous sectors and industries, Wallace Whittle’s future growth plans sound both promising and exciting. 

“I think growth plans across Wallace Whittle, certainly in the Scotland region, well-established business, we’ve got really good coverage across all sectors, and we definitely have plans to expand further, but we can’t give it all way now…” Steven shared. 

In addition to our significant geographical growth, our teams across offices are also continually expanding, encompassing MEP, sustainability, and head office staff. This ongoing growth not only enhances our capabilities but also strengthens our position in the market, ensuring that Wallace Whittle remains at the forefront of industry developments. 

Experience & Expertise

Steven brings extensive experience and market insight to our team of Directors in Scotland. In his previous role, he was instrumental in delivering projects across various sectors, such as commercial fit-outs & refurbishments, retail developments, data centers, and education. This background aligns perfectly with the key sectors that Wallace Whittle focuses on in Scotland. 

“I was brought on board by the existing directors to assist with the company’s growth plans. Wallace Whittle is a well-established brand with a distinguished network already, and I hope to complement that, support further growth, and help diversify our portfolio.” 

Within Wallace Whittle, Steven has joined our team of directors with a focus on developing the Central Belt in line with our strategic plans. His commitment to assembling a fresh team of industry leaders further aims to drive innovation and success within the region. 

Future of Wallace Whittle

As Wallace Whittle continues to expand throughout Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland, we are excited about the opportunities ahead, including team expansion and potential growth across regions. 

“i think we’re well established in Scotland, we’re evolving and expanding down south in England with established offices now in Manchester and Birmingham, we’re expanding into new regions, and hopefully we’ll continue that theme for many years to come!” 

Our recent expansions in Birmingham and Manchester highlight our dedication to providing innovative solutions and exceptional service nationwide. With a current team of over 30 staff members in central England, we look forward to the opportunities ahead as we expand our team and strengthen our presence, making a positive impact across the UK. 

Our initiatives for staff also show promising results, with record attendance at our recent academy sessions. This growth will continue as we onboard new staff at all levels, ensuring we maintain a strong and capable team ready to meet the demands of our expanding operation that provide a high quality of service.

At Wallace Whittle, we pride ourselves on Quality of Product and Quality of Service.

Our Building Information Modelling (BIM) verification, is just one of the many ways we re-assure our clients that we have the in-house expertise to deliver BIM Stage 2 projects, in compliance with the RIBA stages and industry standards.

We have had another successful BIM Stage 2 Verification Audit, conducted by BSI (British Standards Institution), for our 8th year in a row!

The audit, conducted on Wednesday, May 15th, and Thursday, May 16th, 2024, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to quality assurance, standardisation and the implementation of BIM processes. This audit is a crucial evaluation of an organisation’s ability to adhere to industry standards and deliver high-quality products and services through the virtual construction process.

The audit covered multiple projects within Wallace Whittle, ensuring compliance with BIM processes and the effectiveness of our BIM Standards. Our experienced digital engineers utilise BIM from the early concept stages of projects, to visualise design intentions and make informed decisions. We use an in-house suite of standards, in conjunction with powerful BIM authoring software, to build our design within a 3D environment which we are then able to share with our design partners to provide the process with an efficient means of communicating information.

Our ability to work in this manner allows our design to be passed on to the construction phase, adding value & support to such things as offsite project management, reducing abortive time on site and avoiding re-design resulting in waste materials.

Our experience integrating data into our models at the design phase provides our clients with the option to develop progressive operational data which assists with future aspects of the project, providing a full audit trail which lays the foundations for digital building asset management.

The auditor’s attention to detail was thorough over the two days. Throughout the audit evidence was reviewed to verify the implementation of our BIM processes across various projects. The feedback received regarding our BIM Standards was overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the dedication and hard work put in by the team. 

The Auditor noted that during the assessment it was clear that working processes were well managed and aligned with local processes and the applicable standards, and some of the key positive elements observed during the assessment were: 

1. The BIM processes reviewed across the organisation are in line with the business strategy.
   
2. The retention and accessibility of records which were reviewed and accessible for the remote assessment must be commended.
   
3. The dedication of staff is seen during this assessment.
   
4. There were no non-conformances highlighted during this assessment 

Paul Hargreaves, Associate Director & Academy Manager, Paul Underhill, Associate BIM Technician and Andrew Masson, Senior BIM Technician, played crucial roles during the audit, which was overseen by our Quality and Standardisation Manage & Associate Director, Raymond Kelly. Their expertise in navigating through our systems and processes, and ease of guiding the auditor to the required evidence were instrumental in the successful outcome. 

“It was really pleasing to see that when our systems are put under scrutiny by an external auditor, we, as a business, can prove that we are delivering our projects to the ISO 19650 industry standard.  This is a reflection of the hard work of all the staff day in, day out across the offices.”  Paul Underhill and Andrew Masson 

As a result of the audit, Wallace Whittle has achieved re-verification of its BIM Stage 2 for another year. 

This achievement is a testament to everyone within the Wallace Whittle team, it demonstrates our dedication to maintaining high standards, delivering quality products and services, and a consistent approach to applying BIM processes. 

Raymond Kelly our Quality and Standardisation Manager shared “Achieving BIM Re-Verification following the 2-day Audit by BSI once again demonstrates our commitment and indeed supports our commitment to continually focus on delivering quality of product, quality of service, standardisation and consistency across all projects and aspects of the business.” 

This is the 8th year running we’ve received this verification with no non-confomaties, further demonstrating our commitment to ongoing excellence and our will to continue to push the boundaries of quality within the construction industry.   

WWith our Warrington Office celebrating its 10th birthday this year, we thought we’d start the celebrations by looking at some key projects!  Over the past decade, our Warrington office has made a lasting impression with its innovative designs and hard work. Operating primarily in the North of England but serving far beyond, the office has seen tremendous growth and has contributed to some incredible projects. 

From life sciences to luxury hotels, the Warrington Office displays a diverse array of expertise across sectors, including: 

• Kadans Upper Brooke Street, Manchester – Life Science. R&D facilities complemented by a mix of ground floor uses and enhanced public realm. We are providing MEP, Energy & Sustainability design services to deliver an all-electric low carbon solution.
• The Store Oxford – Leisure/Hotel. The Store Hotel project involves the refurbishment and extension of the former 1738 Boswell & Co. department store in the centre of Oxford, into a 4-star boutique hotel. We provided full MEP, energy, and vertical transportation design services and construction support. 
• Victoria Infirmary, Northwich – Healthcare. The works involve the creation of a new department which will house two operating theatres and related support accommodation, at the Grade 2 listed Victoria Infirmary conservation site in Northwich. We are providing full MEP, Energy, BREEAM and NZC services.
• BT Warrington – Data Centre & Commercial Office. Wallace Whittle developed the design in line with BT’s MEP, IT, BMS and Security standard requirements. With 6000m² commercial office, staff welfare and resilient infrastructure facility.
• Prestwick Educational Campus – Education. We provided full MEP design and Sustainability consultancy services to one of the first all-electric educational campuses. The campus is comprised of classrooms, multi-purpose & communal rooms, welfare facilities, a nursery & sports hall. MEP environmental services included ASHPs (Air Source Heat Pumps) and an extensive PV Array. 
• North Boddingtons – Residential. We are providing full MEP, VT & Energy design consultancy services to Boddingtons, Manchester. The scheme consists of 28 storeys and comprises 505 residential apartments above ground floor commercial and ancillary spaces.

Reflecting on a decade marked by triumphs, challenges, and an unwavering dedication to quality, Warrington’s journey symbolises our commitment to progress.

As Wallace Whittle continues to chart its path in the north of England, we look forward to the next 10 years in Warrington and the newly opened Manchester and Birmingham offices!

You can read more about our expansion here.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your next project or to learn more about our expertise in England – [email protected]

Our directors from across the UK recently participated in the 2024 UKREiiF conference in Leeds. Organised by the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum, this three-day event serves as a platform where industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders meet, exchange insights, and investigate collaborative opportunities that shape the future of Real Estate and Infrastructure across the entire country. Over three days, our delegates had ample opportunities to contribute to thought leadership and into ongoing projects across the UK and engage with industry speakers. 

The annual gathering featured a compelling agenda, including keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops, networking sessions and some great guest speakers. With a strong emphasis on exploring the latest trends, innovations, and investment strategies, our objective was to gather valuable insights and cultivate strategic partnerships within the industry. 

“My main takeaway was how Energy Performance and ESG was mentioned as a factor in almost every session I attended, especially now from funders who require well performing assets going forward. Buildings and their occupant’s wellbeing are going to be smarter and more integrated and ever more efficient.” Craig Robertson – Director, England  

Craig also shared his experience attending the session hosted by JLL on Day Two, which outlined the development plans for West Edinburgh. We are currently part of the team on the incredible West Town project, a development by Drum Property Group, which is set to deliver 7,000 New Homes and an array of amenities.  

“The plans for West Edinburgh, including the West Town development was a highlight for me, especially since its in my home city. On the back of delivering St James Quarter, Wallace Whittle are Building Services Consultants, providing MEPH services engineering and energy performance expertise, on two of the biggest developments in Edinburgh this century so far.” 

With our recent expansion into Birmingham and Manchester, our Regional Leads, Darren Wright and Paul Dean, found immense value in exploring up-and-coming projects and attending sessions focused on the region’s infrastructural growth and development. The West Midlands UKREiiF sessions highlighted the transformative power of the West Midlands as a driving force for real estate and regeneration opportunities. These discussions underscored how the region is poised to become a central hub for innovation and economic growth. 

The session “Devolution: Where does the UK go?” chaired by Phil Laycock, provided diverse regional perspectives and crucial updates following the 2023 trailblazer deals impacting Manchester and the West Midlands. Our projects in Birmingham and Manchester are directly influenced by these trailblazer deals, which aim to decentralise power and to provide more autonomy to local authorities.  

For instance, our ongoing project High Street in Digbeth exemplifies this approach. This development includes 481 residential units across two cores, ranging from 8 to 34 storeys, with a mix of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom dwellings. This project not only reflects our commitment to sustainable and innovative design but also aligns perfectly with the opportunities highlighted by the 2023 trailblazer deals. 

“We are once again delighted to work with a valued client and trusted partner to provide not only a much-needed affordable housing led scheme but also modern energy efficient homes for Digbeth and its community. Sharing our expertise, we hope to create and contribute to a vibrant neighbourhood.”  Darren Wright – Director, Birmingham 

As we continue to contribute to projects within this region, we are excited to be part of the positive changes and opportunities these deals bring to the West Midlands and Manchester.  

Another key takeaway was the focus on securing viable and sustainable funding and the promising future of the funding landscape over the next few years. The conference highlighted particularly promising prospects for projects related to PBSA, Co-Living spaces, and hotels. These sectors are expected to present significant investment opportunities over the next 18 months. 

“My first time at UKREiiF was a hugely positive experience. The event programming, content, and particularly the delegates that made the time to be available across the various days was truly first class.” Steven Dunn – Director, Scotland  

“Whilst acknowledging and discussing some of the key issues our industry faces right now and in the coming years with funding and the availability of capital, there was also a great deal of positivity and opportunity.

It was reflected in many conversations had during the debate sessions and casual conversations across my two days in Leeds – the future is looking bright.”

Our UK & Ireland Healthcare Leads Paul Cooper and Jonathan Blackhurst joined our regional Director for Ireland, Gavin McCausland to represent Wallace Whittle as we grow our presence in the healthcare sector within Northern Ireland.

The conference served as a platform to exchange ideas and insights with fellow industry professionals. Discussions on topics like the journey to net zero were particularly impactful. Chris Matthew from the Department of Health for Northern Ireland delivered a talk titled “Unlocking the Potential, the Passion, and the Commitment,” which covered the decarbonisation of the estate. This resonated deeply with our commitment to sustainable healthcare infrastructure and our ongoing projects with health trusts across the NHS estate.

“The informative presentations on Procure 23 and the New Hospitals Programme were a couple of favourites that gave a great insight into the progress of the NHP and the toolkits procure 23 provides for project success.” Jonathan Blackhurst, England Healthcare Lead.

Helen Sturdy, from NHS England, delivered a thought-provoking talk on the first day, focusing on the new NHS Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Toolkit. She emphasised that “the new NHS Modern Methods of Construction Toolkit and accompanying User Guide are intended to provide a framework and key themes to create a coherent Modern Methods of Construction strategy.” At Wallace Whittle, we have extensive experience with MMC with the imminent handover of the new Surgical Centre for NHS Golden Jubilee, a facility designed from the ground up to fully utilise Modern Methods of Construction.

“It was a great couple of days in Belfast seeing the importance that is being placed on healthcare by IHEEM NI and the local Trusts and delivery partners.  I was particularly impressed with the talks that were put on looking to receive knowledge and lessons learned from other parts of the UK on their healthcare programmes.” Paul Cooper, Scotland & Ireland Healthcare Lead.

Eamon Sullivan and Alpa Patel, from the New Hospital Programme, delivered a fantastic presentation on the first morning, with a particularly compelling discussion. They explained that “Hospital 2.0” is a standardised design for future hospitals, which will benefit patients and staff through digital solutions and optimised hospital layouts. This approach aims to decrease the average time required to develop and build hospitals while also reducing costs through economies of scale. 

While there are challenges in implementing repeatability and standardisation for MEP services in a healthcare environment, Wallace Whittle has extensive experience in this area. Our ongoing design for the Monklands Replacement Project is a prime example of how we effectively utilise repeatability to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. To find out more about some of our processes, read our piece on Ceiling Coordination.

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At Wallace Whittle, our dedication to healthcare engineering excellence is unwavering. With 20+ years experience within the industry, we specialise in designing and optimising HVAC systems, electrical infrastructure, water management, and all crucial components for the efficient operation of healthcare facilities.

Moreover, sustainability is at the forefront of our approach. We prioritise green energy solutions and employ innovative practices to minimise environmental impact.

“We had a great time meeting with different healthcare clients and introducing them to Wallace Whittle’s healthcare knowledge and experience in Scotland, England, and Ireland. We are looking forward to strengthening these relationships in the healthcare industry as we expand our Belfast office!” Gavin McCausland, Ireland Director.

As we continue our commitment to supporting trusts and projects across the UK and Ireland, especially towards sustainability, Wallace Whittle remains dedicated to driving positive change in the healthcare industry.