The new practice, led by Dublin native Stephen O’Malley, CEO and co-founding director of Civic Engineers, will look to procure and deliver projects in the Nation State in 2024, headed by a specialist and localised team of engineers.
Founded in 2013 by Stephen and co-founder Julian Broster, Civic Engineers creates structures and places that have a positive impact on the environment and improve people’s lives. The practice has grown a 150-strong team that operates across the UK.
Civic will build on the high-quality work delivered in the UK with a focus on planning, design and delivery of major public realm projects and urban infrastructure to the state. The team will grow in the country’s capital through investment in local talent and expertise.
Civic Engineers has already participated in a number of projects in the state; including:
- Launching Ireland’s first raingarden pilot scheme at Cobh. The pioneering nature-based drainage system, designed to reduce flood risk, foster biodiversity and improve the built environment, forms an integral part of Cork County Council’s climate action commitments.
- Leading on the design of three district centres for Rosemount, Bawnogue and Dodsboro, as part of South Dublin County Council borough’s plans for the delivery of a vibrant, community-focussed and easily accessible public realm.
- Authoring a best practice advice note for incorporating greening and nature-based sustainable drainage systems, which was published by Ireland’s National Transport Authority. The guidance will support the NTA’s implementation of a transport strategy for the Greater Dublin area.
Commenting on the expansion, Stephen O’Malley said: “The Irish government is delivering a decarbonisation strategy across the state, and I’m looking forward to bringing our Civic ethos of climate conscious, people-centric engineering to help serve this ambitious agenda.
“Strengthening our presence in Ireland also provides an opportunity for practitioners in the state to work with us on projects in the UK. It’s personally exciting for me to return to my roots and start to build a strong team on home turf, dedicated to improving quality of life through engineering.”
The Dublin studio will build on Civic Engineers’ critically-acclaimed UK projects, including Mayfield Park, Manchester city centre’s first park in 100 years; The Avenues in Glasgow, which is set to dramatically improve the quality of the city centre through green infrastructure; and Leeds Climate Innovation District, which is creating communities in low carbon developments.
The announcement comes off the back of the recent launch of Civic Earth, a newly-established ground engineering arm of Civic. It also coincides with sister company Civic Engineers celebrating its tenth anniversary in operation, winning Best Place to Work (SME) category at the NCE Awards in September, as well as the ‘Environment & Sustainability’ category at the Manchester Evening News Business Awards in May this year.
