Engineering and design practice, Troup Bywaters + Anders (TB+A) has moved to the heart of Cardiff city centre at 3 Park Place. This follows on from a sustained period of growth for the UK-wide business in its professional design consultancy services serving the construction and energy markets. Cooke & Arkwright acted for the landlord, property investment company Hollybush Properties Ltd and Huw Thomas Commercial Property Consultancy acted for TB+A.
Chris Lynn, Partner responsible for the Cardiff office and chartered engineer with over 25 years’ experience in the construction industry and a member of Welsh Government’s Building Regulations Advisory Committee Wales (BRACW) said, “I have felt for a long time that the region is calling out for an M&E Building Services business that puts customers first, building strong long-term relationships, with a quality offer. I like to think our growth since moving into offices on the outskirts of Cardiff in 2009 has been in some way as a result of these values, allowing us to prosper, strengthen the team and bring about this exciting new move.”
TB+A has recruited a new Project Associate, Tony Goddard, who is Regional Chairman of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE, South Wales Region), and Tom Blythe, who has been recruited to strengthen the Energy team in the important area of low energy design. Sarah Hartson is the new Administration Manager.
Mr Lynn said that the Park Place offices were in a great location. “Staff appear to love the location due to the surrounding amenities in the heart of the city. We were very attracted to these premises as they represent a uniquely positive quality and style that feels just right, and sits neatly with the culture of our practice.”
Some space remains available at Park Place. Ben Bolton for Cooke & Arkwright and Huw Thomas of Commercial Property Consultancy said that 3,500 square feet was available over two floors.
As designers within the construction industry, TB+A have been working in difficult times over the past five years, with tighter fee levels but the same clients’ expectations. “We have adapted to change, working smarter and more efficiently,” said Mr Lynn. “We target clients that appreciate a quality service and those that recognise that good design and good advice brings them long term whole-life benefits as opposed to saving a fast buck at the outset of a building project. They benefit from lower maintenance costs, lower running costs and generally a better all-round consultancy service in the long run.”
Mr Lynn said that the firm is positive about future prospects and is focussing on staff development and creating the right working environment as key to the success of the business.
The Cardiff team of TB+A has designed a wide range of local and national projects including the new Surf Rider Facility at the Cardiff International White Water Centre in Cardiff Bay; the restoration and refurbishment of Grade II listed Merthyr Tydfil Old Town Hall; state of the art Operating Theatres at Brecon and Llandrindod hospitals; new 21st Century Treganna Primary School for Cardiff Council; Cardiff & Vale College new City Campus; and refurbishment of University Hospital of Wales Emergency Unit. They have recently been instructed to design the new Coety Primary School in Bridgend.
The firm holds an ‘Investors in People Silver Award’ and is one of Building Magazine’s ‘Top 50 Companies To Work For’.