Spotlight on Belfast: Delivering Innovation, Locally and Beyond
From landmark student housing schemes to cutting-edge learning environments, our Belfast team continues to design with purpose and precision.
WWith exciting developments ahead for our Belfast office, we took the opportunity to catch up with Gavin McCausland, Director of our Belfast team, to discuss some of the standout projects the office has delivered over the years.
Having been part of the Northern Ireland landscape for nearly 15 years, and with Gavin at the helm for almost 9, the team has been behind a diverse range of projects across various sectors. These projects, both locally in Northern Ireland and further afield, reflect our commitment to quality and excellence. As we continue to grow and deliver high-quality projects, the Belfast office remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards in all we do.
Education
Education has always been a cornerstone of our work at Wallace, and our Belfast office is no different. Over the past few years, we’ve had the privilege of contributing to some incredible schools and campuses, including award-winning projects and major universities. More often than not, the education projects we work on also double as community hubs, meaning cross-disciplinary and community engagement are pivotal.
“Modern classrooms and learning spaces now demand more, from integrated technology to adaptable and futureproof designs. Our team knows how to work closely with educators to translate their vision into a practical and effective design.” shared Gavin
For St. Mary’s University College in Belfast, we helped centralise the Student Services & Support facilities as part of a broader campus upgrade, which included the award-winning Cardinal Newman Library (CEF Award Fit-Out Project of the Year 2023). Our MEP design featured aerothermal heat pumps, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and Bluetooth-controlled LED lighting, creating a comfortable, energy-efficient environment for both students and staff. You can learn more about this project here.
We delivered full MEP technical design and building physics modelling for the Wolverhampton Learning Quarter, a modern campus offering A-Level and advanced specialised courses. The design carefully balanced heritage context, respecting the surrounding Victorian and Edwardian architecture, with sustainable, future-focused features. These included BB101:2018-compliant hybrid ventilation in teaching spaces, MVHR, VRF air conditioning, intelligent LED lighting, and integrated systems such as performance lighting, sound, and a dedicated internal recording studio network.
From concept to completion, we supported the delivery of a new ESFA sixth form college in Walthamstow, designed to meet the needs of a highly specialised curriculum. This included dedicated spaces such as media studios and makeup classrooms, which required carefully tailored solutions.
The building features BB101:2018-compliant hybrid ventilation units that provide both fresh air and LPHW heating, alongside MVHR, VRF air conditioning, full LED lighting, a rooftop photovoltaic array, EV charging infrastructure, and Category 6A structured cabling. Designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating, the project also successfully met the London Plan’s target of a 35% carbon reduction. You can learn more about our work in London Schools here
Public Realm
We view the public realm as the vital link between people and place, a setting for everyday life that fosters connection and community. From city centres to rural towns, our work spans a wide range of scales and locations, reflecting the diverse needs of the communities we serve. We take pride in designing spaces that are welcoming and efficient.
Collaboration is central to our approach, we work closely with stakeholders, urban designers, and local authorities. We have delivered public spaces that are inclusive, resilient, and rooted in the unique character of each place.
“Designing public realm spaces is about creating environments that invite people in and make them want to stay. We approach each project with a focus on place-making, ensuring that every detail supports the needs of the community and encourages connection.”
Connecting Pomeroy in Mid-Ulster was a £7.1M PEACE IV-funded project enhancing public spaces with a new visitor centre, upgraded community facilities, and improved public realm. We provided the MEP consultancy, ensuring energy-efficient lighting, heating, and water systems across the development. We also supported upgrades to key community facilities, including a gym and changing facilities at Pomeroy GFC, a multi-use games area at the Presbyterian Church Hall, and a new Church of Ireland Hall.
As part of a €5.5M URDF initiative, we contributed to the Athlone Town Centre Public Realm Enhancement. This project revitalised the town centre with energy-efficient LED lighting, in-ground power provisions, and improved pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, creating a more vibrant and accessible urban environment.
Commercial
Our Belfast office continues to deliver excellence across a range of commercial developments; our teams recognise that the building services systems play a fundamental role in creating environments that not only meet the functional needs of businesses but also motivate employees and can contribute to a greater ethos.
“We spend a huge part of our lives at work, so the spaces we work in really matter. In our Belfast office, we’re focused on designing building services that make offices not just efficient, but genuinely great places to be, comfortable, healthy, and adaptable to how people work.”
This project included the Test Centre, spanning 3,942m² , comprising vehicle testing and plant zones with a two-story administrative block, and the Office Headquarters, spanning 3,209m², which features office accommodation for 170 workstations organised around a three-story open atrium void, with a vehicle storage area at the lower ground level. DVA also achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating for both buildings, facilitated by numerous sustainable MEP initiatives, including PV arrays, solar water heating system and passive cooling systems. You can learn more about this project here
The refurbishment of Chichester House in Belfast transformed the building into a premium office space for Rapid7, designed to encourage collaboration and employee well-being. Wallace Whittle provided MEP consultancy, incorporating advanced heat pump systems, LED lighting, and smart occupancy sensors for optimal energy efficiency. Key features include a two-storey auditorium, technology workshops, and external terraces, creating a dynamic and modern workplace that supports both teamwork and individual focus.
At Dublin Airport Central Phase 1, we delivered the MEP design for a €48M commercial development comprising 20,000m² of Grade A office space. The project featured high-efficiency fan coil systems, prefabricated rooftop plant rooms, and a dedicated medium-voltage infrastructure network to support long-term flexibility. The wider site also benefited from a carefully considered public realm, including full architectural lighting design and a comprehensive underground ducting network to accommodate future expansion. You can learn more about this project here.
At Parklife Putney in London, we were proud to support the transformation of a 70,000 ft² office space, providing MEP and sustainability consultancy throughout the refurbishment and extension. The project brought together old and new, blending modern design with the original structure. We delivered a full Category A fit-out, featuring energy-efficient systems like aerothermal heat pumps, heat recovery ventilation, daylight-sensitive LED lighting, and rooftop solar panels, all of which helped the building achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating.
PBSA
With the demand for student accommodation continuing to rise year upon year, our Belfast office continues to lead the way in delivering high-quality PBSA across the UK, combining sustainability, innovation, and modern living solutions. Our Belfast Team understands the importance of creating spaces that are not only functional and safe but also conducive to the academic and social needs of students. Modern student accommodation demands design features such as high-speed internet, air-conditioned study and communal spaces, combined with secure access.
“For a lot of students, this is their first time living away from home, so it’s important we create spaces that feel safe, comfortable, and connected. In Belfast, we focus on designing services that support both study and social life.”
As the demand for sustainable and modern PBSA continues to rise, the sector must embrace innovation to stay ahead of the evolving needs of future students.
The Edge is one of Belfast’s newest and most sustainable PBSA developments, offering 307 high-quality studio rooms just steps from Ulster University. This all-electric building features full comfort cooling, air source heat pumps, and is targeting key accreditations including BREEAM Very Good, Fitwel, and WiredScore. Designed with student well-being in mind, it also includes premium amenities such as a yoga studio and a cinema room.
At St Thomas Street in Bristol, we delivered MEP solutions for the nine-storey, 378-bed student residence, which was also the first in the city to connect to Bristol’s district heating network. Designed with sustainability at the heart of the project, the building features aerothermal heat pumps, mechanical heat recovery ventilation, and a 26kWp solar PV array. The result is a low-carbon, future-ready environment for students, proudly achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating. You can learn more about this project here.
As our Belfast office continues to deliver impactful projects across the UK and Ireland, we remain focused on driving innovation and sustainability across every sector we work in.
As we grow to support both new and ongoing projects in Belfast and beyond, we’re enhancing not only the office space (announcement coming soon!) but also expanding the team of talented professionals who share our passion for delivering exceptional work.
If you’re looking to be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team, we’d love to hear from you.
Gavin McCausland
Director of Belfast
