About Us

Our History

Downes Associates was established in 1997 by Paul Downes as an engineering consultancy specialising in the design of building structures and related civil engineering works.

Since inception, Downes Associates has steadily grown to the point at which the practice now employs a wide range of full-time staff including its Directors and Associates (all Chartered Engineers), Civil and Structural Engineers, Technicians and Administrators.

The practice is located in Kimmage, a location that allows easy access to Dublin City Centre and major arterial routes out of the city. The modern open plan office environment is fully-equipped and encourages collaborative creation of engineering solutions.

We are members of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI) and the European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations (EFCA).

Our Core Principles

Strong teamwork is essential for successful project delivery. Downes Associates is always willing to take the extra step necessary to achieve this by participating fully and openly with the client and all members of the design team.

For every project, irrespective of scale, our aim is to provide designs which are, Functional, Creative, Elegant, Safe, Economic, Flexible and Sustainable.

As part of our design philosophy, we listen to client, architectural and design team requirements and use our expertise and experience to explore innovative solutions and technologies which meet the client’s brief, budget and desired programme.

Our experienced Project Directors and Senior Engineers are actively involved in all aspects of the design in an open office environment where creative problem solving is constantly discussed and encouraged.

This approach, in conjunction with our level of experience, knowledge and dedication to detail ensures that Downes Associates provide high quality engineering solutions on all projects.

Services Offered

  • Structural Engineering Design

  • Civil Engineering Design

  • Temporary Works Design

  • Building Inspections, Appraisals and Analysis

  • Design of Engineered Timber Structures

  • Protected Structure Conservation and Repair

  • Building Fit-Out Design

  • Building Information Modelling (BIM)

  • Site Appraisals

  • Value Engineering Studies

  • Due Diligence Appraisals

  • Expert Witness Services

  • Construction Monitoring

 

Key Personnel

Andrew Dixon

BA BAI MSc CEng MIEI MIStructE
CHARTERED ENGINEER

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

adixon@downesassociates.ie
086 677 1205

KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE

  • Rapid Build Schools Programme, Nationwide (2011 to date) €20M +
  • ALDI Store Development, Nationwide (2004 to date) €40M +
  • NDFA Primary and Post-Primary Schools Programme, Nationwide (2013 to 2015) €20M +
  • Design & Build contract for construction of new Pier E building at Dublin Airport €20.0m
  • Renovation and fit-out of Smurfit HQ Closkeagh 4,500m2 commercial building €2.5m

Gavin McHugh

BE BSc MSc CEng FIEI MIStructE FConsEI
CHARTERED ENGINEER

MANAGING DIRECTOR

gmchugh@downesassociates.ie
086 819 5170

KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Gavin has extensive design experience and has been involved in the following sample list of projects :

  • Heatons Department Store, Castlebar, Co. Mayo - €2.5m
  • Cloneen Housing Development, Co.Leitrim - €15.0m
  • Aldi Mitchelstown Regional Distribution Centre, Mitchelstown, Co.Cork - €60.0m
  • Timberyard, Ardee Street Social Housing, Dublin 8 - €10.0m
  • Ballymahon Road Social Housing, Longford - €10.0m

​Liam Keogh

BSc Eng DipEng CEng MIEI MIStructE
CHARTERED ENGINEER

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

lkeogh@downesassociates.ie
086 417 6266

KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE

  • Data Centre Grange Castle Business Park
  • Nobber Secondary School 575 pupil post primary school €9.0m
  • AIB Cornelscourt 3 storey concrete frame bank branch and regional offices €6.0m
  • Lansdowne gate apartments 7 No. new build 5 & 6 storey apartment blocks constructed over single car parking basement €43.0m
  • Sleeping Giant: bespoke award winning insitu concrete frame large residential house €3.0m

​Nigel Fitzsimons

Nat Dip Eng NCEA Cert Eng CEng MIEI
CHARTERED ENGINEER

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

nfitzsimons@downesassociates.ie
086 290 3078

KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE

  • Canada House: Demolition of 7 storey concrete frame building and removal of single story basement adjacent to live pedestrian streets and main city centre roadways €0.6m
  • Haddington Road Primary School: Demoltion of existing schools and new build of 24 classroom 3 storey classroom in city centre location €6.0m
  • St. Michaels House Raheny: New build 16 classroom special needs school and associated civil elements €4.4m
  • Penney’s Mary Street: Demolition of loadbearing structures including removal of foundations in live retail store to installation of new lifts and escalators €0.5m

​Ian Connolly

BE CEng Dip Struct Eng Cert Eng MIEI MIStructE
CHARTERED ENGINEER

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

iconnolly@downesassociates.ie
086 060 3287

KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE

  • Refurbishment of No. 33 Molesworth St, Dublin 2. €2.2m
  • Data Centre Grange Castle Business Park
  • Nobber Secondary School 575 pupil post primary school €9.0m
  • Rapid Build Schools Programme, Nationwide (2011 to date) €20M +
  • NDFA Primary and Post-Primary Schools Programme, Nationwide (2013 to 2015) €20M +


​Paul Downes

BSc Eng Dip Eng CEng MIEI MIStructE
CHARTERED ENGINEER

CONSULTANT

pdownes@downesassociates.ie
086 253 5945

KEY PROJECT EXPERIENCE

  • Project Director – Shrewsbury Square Apartments, Dublin 4 €32.0m
  • Facility for Abbot Laboratories, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 22. €3.1m
  • Five Lamps Office Development, Amiens Street, Dublin 1. €7.2m
  • Exploration Station Childrens Museum, Kilmainham, Dublin. €22.0m
  • Extension and Refurbishment to Gate Lodge at Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park. €2.4m

Clients

Downes Associates has a wide and varied client base and since formation the practice has worked with Local Authorities, Semi-State Organisations, Institutional Companies, Private Sector Companies, Private Developers and International Clients. The wide client base and variety of project types successfully completed reflects the varied nature of engineering demands placed on the skill and experience of the staff.

2015

Mies Van Der Rohe Award (Shortlist) - The Cow House

2014

Wood Awards, Small Scale Private Buildings - Courtyard Extension

2007

Irish Concrete Society – Overall Winner - Killiney House

2007

Engineers Ireland - CPD Company of the Year

2005

Irish Concrete Society – Highly Commended - Arran Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9