Based in NDY’s Melbourne office, Senior Project Engineer (Structural) Jonathan provides engineering solutions in the built environment throughout Australasia. He also assists with project management and technical assistance for the structural team.

As a structural design engineer, Jonathan has managed successful projects in various locations including Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington and Auckland.

His passion lies in design robustness, aesthetic consideration and functionality. These elements feature in his new build experience and redevelopment of existing structures, such as high importance public buildings.

Here, Jonathan reflects on his career to date, his love of structural engineering and the built environment and one of his career highlights, PAK’nSAVE Cameron Road in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Why structural engineering?

It offers an interesting connection between theoretical concepts and tangible, real-world construction projects that everyone can appreciate. I’m actively contributing to the physical fabric of our built environment and this impact is incredibly rewarding.

Working with architecturally complex structures often pushes the boundaries of engineering and demands innovative solutions that balance aesthetics, functionality and safety. This needs a unique blend of technical expertise and creative thinking.

We’re continually solving challenges which affect our societies and create a better world to live in.

What do you do outside of work that helps fuel your creativity and commitment to engineering?

Keeping up-to-date with engineering innovation and exploring creative solutions is critical for continued motivation in the industry. These are some of the things that I do:

  • Watch documentaries on significant projects across the world
  • Read books, articles and papers exploring innovations in structural engineering
  • Travel to different countries for fresh insights into construction methods that demonstrate alternative design solutions for various environments.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned at NDY?

Moving countries within NDY has given me exposure to the contrasting motivations with the construction industry. When I was based in New Zealand, the governing design considerations are often vastly different to those in Australia. These include:

  • available construction materials
  • imposed design loadings including occupancy, services, wind and earthquake
  • certification and building approval process
  • increased number of design stages
  • advising clients from a design and construction (D&C) perspective.

What professional relationships do you value the most?

Ultimately, the most valuable professional relationships are those that support career growth (colleagues at NDY), enable successful project execution (communication with subconsultants), and continually being involved with diverse and exciting projects (clients).

This includes:

  • collaborating closely with architects, geotechnical engineers and other specialists on construction projects
  • developing a mutual respect in design teams
  • having a cooperative relationship with regulatory authorities and building inspectors
  • enabling positive relationships with clients in the construction and development industry
  • effectively communicating and collaborating with contractors.

What does Making Spaces Work mean to you?

Making Spaces Work means enhancing habitable spaces by improving performance and satisfaction for occupants. I aim to prioritise factors like practicality, safety and adaptability. This leads to higher occupant enjoyment and better outcomes.

The definition of spaces that ‘work’ evolves and it’s essential that a design accommodates multiple functions. The building or space must promote usage continuity and aim to reduce the need for extensive alterations.

I also believe that proposed urban, industrial, and regional projects need to seamlessly integrate with their existing environment to be successful. This often involves restoring and repurposing old structures, maintaining historical facades or preserving traditional building methods to match the surrounding space.

Tell us something that not many people know about you.

I represented New Zealand in squash at the world championships and I aim to transfer my commitment and competitive attitude to my approach in structural design consulting.

What’s your career highlight project?

PAK’nSAVE Cameron Road is an existing supermarket undergoing an upgrade for seismic strengthening and general refurbishment.

I provided the structural design from concept stage through to building consent. It is a steel frame structure with concrete floor slabs and perimeter walls. Significant changes made to the design include new roof bracing, mezzanine improvements and longitudinal wall bracing.

Tell us about the structural or civil engineering on this project.

The PAK’nSAVE Cameron Road project is an adaptive reuse of an aged existing structure. It includes large span warehouse load paths including the partial mezzanine levels, alongside bracing for secondary structural and non-structural elements to ensure operational continuity of the retail space if a seismic event occurs. There were also basement considerations when providing seismic strengthening.

What innovative new approaches are you seeing when it comes to structural engineering?

I’m going to approach this simply, listing the innovative approaches alongside their benefits. Here goes:

  • 3D modelling
    • Assists the builder in visualising complex connections or framing arrangements
    • Helps to avoid clashes with existing construction, fitout or services
  • Mass timber
    • Huge amounts of research and development in this space
    • Sustainability-focused design
    • Embodied carbon capture in design
  • Alterations and extensions to existing buildings
    • Cost mitigation
    • Avoid waste going to landfill
    • Analysis of existing structure not well defined.

Where do you see the future of structural design heading?

With the development of more ambitious construction projects and increased awareness of risk for lateral design loadings, the industry must adapt to the ever-changing needs of the wider community. Design considerations that will be under scrutiny and be critical for future projects are:

  • climate change – this will affect the design considerations for wind and snow loadings applied to buildings
  • seismic risk – technical advancement in understanding seismic risk for specific areas may increase the minimum acceptable design loads
  • invention of new systems – design innovations are critical to maintain the continued expectations for building operations.

Tell us a bit about good structural or civil design for complex design. What are the key considerations?

It’s critical to coordinate the architectural and building services installations into the structural and civil design in the early design stages.