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Conservation Engineering

With two Conservation Accredited Engineers (CARE) and a SPAB Scholar, Design ID are one of the leading conservation engineering practices in the UK and Ireland.

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Our Approach

At Design ID, we are passionate about the conservation and preservation of the historic built environment. Fortunately, we often have the opportunity to work with buildings and structures of considerable historical, cultural and social value, and appreciate the responsibility that this brings.

Acknowledging that historical buildings & structures are on a journey that neither starts or ends with us, is always our first step and helps us cultivate a respectful approach. Historic buildings & structures may not always meet the requirements of modern design codes, however our extensive experience allows us to use informed engineering judgement to minimize intervention and, where required, develop solutions that are sensitive to the original character and fabric.

We have considerable experience in guiding projects through the duly rigorous planning processes, meeting the detailed requirements of ‘Historic England’, Northern Ireland’s ‘Historic Environment Division’, and local authorities across Ireland. We appreciate the need to protect buildings from reckless and unwarranted action, and therefore welcome the thorough examination that these processes often entail.

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Conservation Accreditation Register for Engineers (CARE)

Managing Director Jonathan Macauley and Associate Conall Doherty are both Conservation Accredited Engineers (CARE).

To be accepted to this register they have gone through a rigorous assessment process to demonstrate that they have a strong understanding of and empathy with conservation philosophy, as well as an extensive knowledge of the use, behaviour and degradation of historic materials. This allows them to provide superior insight into problems which may occur and to develop solutions which cause the minimum of intervention.

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Jonathan Macauley

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Conall Doherty

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Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (S.P.A.B)

Our Associate, Serena Gildea completed the prestigious S.P.A.B. Lethaby Scholarship in 2022. Serena travelled the length and breath of the UK & Ireland learning from leaders in conservation theory, design & best practice. During this 9 month experience she visited over 150 different projects and has learnt many skills and crafts along the way, garnering invaluable knowledge on historic building maintenance and repair.

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Fort Dunree 5 Straight

Featured Project

Fort Dunree

Design ID are the principal designer transforming Fort Dunree by reimagining the visitor experience, and physically linking the 3 unique elements of Fort Dunree, Lough Swilly below the Fort, the Promontory Fort and the High Guns Fort.

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Featured Project

The Great Light, Belfast

The Great Light is one of the largest optics of its kind ever built in the world, and is around 130 years old. Weighing 10 tonnes and measuring 7 metres tall, the optic is a unique maritime heritage object with significance to Belfast's economic, maritime and industrial past. It is totally irreplaceable and is an exceptionally rare maritime artefact. It produced one of the strongest lighthouse beams ever to shine - a truly GREAT LIGHT.

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Beehive mill jersey street manchester m4 nb1o

Featured Project

Prince's Trust, Manchester

Design ID were involved in the Structural aspect of refurbishing the old mill building, assessing the existing structure.

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