| 51 ENGINEERING Structural Design Lab Delivering structual design solutions The firm delivers structural design solutions across commercial and residential sectors, partnering with architects, homeowners, developers, and commercial clients. T T Hugh de Lacy “I don’t want to become a large-scale business because that often means losing the personal touch that’s essential in our industry. Hamish Mackinven brings a precision-engineering mindset to Structural Design Lab, the Christchurch-based structural design firm he established in 2021. Hamish leverages study at the University of Canterbury along with a decade of experience as an aircraft mechanic with the Royal New Zealand Air Force - service that spanned environments from Antarctica’s frozen expanse to operations in East Timor. In just four years, Structural Design Lab has grown from a single person operation to a team of five, expanded its reach nationwide, and built a strong presence in Queenstown. While headquartered in Christchurch, the Southern Lakes region effectively serves as a second office. “Although we’re based in Christchurch, we treat Queenstown and the Central Otago region as an extension of our office. I travel there every fortnight to work on projects in both the residential and commercial sectors,” Hamish explains. The firm delivers structural design solutions across commercial and residential sectors, partnering with architects, homeowners, developers, and commercial clients. From making timber, steel, and concrete structures work safely to strengthening buildings against earthquakes, Structural Design Lab ensures every project is solid, practical, and built to last. They also guide clients on materials, regulatory compliance, and practical construction solutions, helping turn complex designs into reality. “Structural design may not always be visible, but it underpins everything we build. Getting it right means our clients can confidently move forward with projects that are safe, durable, and tailored to their vision.” Recent projects include large-scale developments and bespoke residential builds in Canterbury, Auckland, and Queenstown. “Most of our work is in Canterbury, but we’re currently undertaking preliminary design for a major five-storey aged-care facility in Auckland,” Hamish notes. Locally, Structural Design Lab completed structural design for a 10,000m² large-format retail complex for Harvey Norman, which opened in Christchurch last year. Hamish’s journey into engineering was shaped by his Air Force career, followed by time travelling through Japan and the United Kingdom - experiences that broadened his perspective and ultimately led him to study engineering at the University of Canterbury, graduating in 2006. He then gained extensive industry experience with leading firms, including WSP and GHD, before launching his own practice. Today, Hamish prioritises a hands-on, client-focused approach, valuing quality of service over rapid expansion. “I don’t want to become a large-scale business because that often means losing the personal touch that’s essential in our industry. Clients appreciate being able to call me directly and get things sorted without layers of bureaucracy,” he says. Architecture 021 911 425 info@idsgn.nz www.idsgn.nz Structural Design Lab continues to grow steadily as demand rises, with Hamish open to further expansion—provided the company’s personalised approach remains at its core. “Our clients’ success is our success.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=