A different approach

Holmes view professional engineering as a highly skilled and personalised service. For nearly fifty years, the principals have provided hands-on, focused and energetic attention to client requirements, assisted by high calibre staff.

Looking for and expecting change have always been company cornerstones that continue to promote creativity in attitude as well as in work practice.

As the frontiers of structural engineering advance, our rapidly accumulating resource of knowledge, experience and expertise equip us not only for refined conventional design but also, to investigate, develop and use designs beyond the boundaries of convention. This is our business and passion.
It’s what inspires us.

Quality and success

Proof of Quality Assurance is evident in more than five thousand successfully completed projects. We are ISO 9001 accredited. Successful projects are the result of a well co-ordinated team that includes the client - with everyone doing their part and clearly understanding the requirements of each team member.

Our blend of commercial awareness, architectural appreciation, practicality, simplicity and appropriateness in design and construction, prepares us to fully understand client aims and requirements from the outset.

We provide a service of the highest standard and always meet agreed commitments.
Appropriate engineering design requires technical excellence, commitment to research and development, and an innovative approach - all underpinned with experience and a proven performance record, giving any client the best result.

This is evidenced by many awards we have received from the Association of Consulting Engineers of New Zealand, the Steel Promotion Council, the Structural Engineered Timber Manufacturers Association and the New Zealand Concrete Society.

Experience

The company specialises in structural engineering design services. Completed projects vary greatly in type and scale and in the use of common and advanced building materials. Examples include:

Strengthening and refurbishment of New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Creativity

Our commitment to fresh thinking has lead to a number of significant engineering breakthroughs. These have been achieved by encouraging individual imagination and technical discipline and through maintaining a close working association with the universities.

Specialist skills

In addition to requisite design and detailing skills, the group has developed skill bases in many specialist areas. Examples include:

Time history seismic analysis

Seismic base isolation analysis and design for buildings, plant and services

Seismic behaviour assessment for existing buildings

Strengthening, upgrading and base isolation of older buildings

Materials technology, including the refurbishment of older buildings

Timber structures

Precast concrete, including tilt panels

Construction techniques as a part of alternative tendering by contractors

Long span steel roofs for aircraft hangars

Large scale industrial warehouses and transport depots

Post tensioned concrete

Civil structures, including bridges, wharfs and water reservoirs.

Museum of New Zealand,
Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington

ANZ Tower, Auckland

Twin Jumbo Jet Hangar, Singapore

Christchurch International Airport

Auckland Regional Authority Reservoir

Motorway bridges, Auckland and Tauranga

WestpacTrust Stadium, Wellington

Christchurch Art Gallery

Ascott Metropolis Hotel, Auckland

Christchurch Women’s Hospital

Civic Theatre refurbishment, Auckland

Auckland War Memorial Museum

Setting standards

Many projects throughout New Zealand bear the hallmark of Holmes innovative design and construction techniques. Some have become industry standards that others have since followed. Examples include:

High level analysis of existing buildings and structures

Seismic Base Isolation

Precast concrete seismic frames

Diagonal reinforcing in seismic concrete frames

Post tensioned concrete seismic frames

Long span aircraft hangars

Unbonded steel braces

Timber reservoirs

Timber floor tie systems

Multi-storey timber construction