Innovative engineering company selects Exeter Science Park for next phase of growth
Global engineering design consultancy, Independent Design House (IDH) has opened a new office at Exeter Science Park.
IDH delivers innovative temporary works design services for the construction sector, specialising in formwork, scaffold design, civil and structural engineering, independent checking and training services.
By opening a base at Exeter Science Park, IDH strengthens its presence in the south west, with convenient access to clients and opportunities across Devon and Cornwall. This new location complements the company’s existing offices in Maidstone, Bristol, Belfast and Poland, supporting its continued growth.
Tom Vallance, associate director, Independent Design House, said: “We are an engineering consultancy and work with contractors on construction sites. We work with a client before their construction project commences, to provide specialist advice on their engineering requirements to ensure their project is delivered efficiently, safely and for value. We can also assist when a construction company realises that they have a problem on site and they need a temporary solution to complete a project. This means we have to be innovative and agile with our design solutions.
“Our designs will utilise the latest product technologies, many of which are modular systems which can be assembled quickly, re-used and are adaptable to complex geometries. We will use 3d engineering software for complex engineering analysis of existing structures and building information modelling to provide visualisation and clash detection between our temporary works designs and the permanent structure.”
Tom added: “An interesting project we recently have been working on is the repair of the historic hangar doors for the Filton Airfield, where Concorde was once housed. The hangar doors measured over 10m high and 6m wide and weighed over a ton. The appearance of the timber fabric of the hangar doors is of historic importance and needed to be maintained, so the doors needed to be protected during multiple crane lifting operations, and fixing through the doors was not permitted. IDH designed and sequenced an innovative modular lifting frame structure with multiple lifting points that, sandwiched the hangar doors allowing them to be lifted off the hangar building, flipped over so repairs could be carried out to both sides, and reinstalled on the building, all without transferring stresses or strains to the historic fabric.”
“It was always an ambition to open an office in Exeter which will enable us to expand our customer base into Devon and Cornwall. We are always coming up with new and innovative ideas for design and to be amongst similar like-minded people and companies at Exeter Science Park was a key factor in us choosing this location.”
Exeter Science Park has welcomed IDH’s arrival. Jason Buck, senior business development Manager, Exeter Science Park, said: “IDH brings a strong pedigree of engineering professionalism and design excellence. Joining Exeter Science Park will give them access to a like-minded community of innovators.”
IDH offers over 40 qualified engineers globally. Its portfolio includes complex projects that require cutting-edge modelling, safety and compliance.
www.idh-design.co.uk
www.exetersciencepark.co.uk
