Designer Group has been appointed to deliver the mechanical works for the retrofit and extension of Buildings C/C1 at Purolite’s manufacturing campus in Llantrisant, Wales, UK.
Purolite, a global leader in ion exchange resin technology, supplies products that support critical pharmaceutical, life sciences and industrial processes worldwide. As part of its continued growth strategy, the company is expanding its production capacity to meet increasing global demand.
The project involves the retrofit and extension of existing facilities within a live operational campus, supporting the ongoing development of advanced manufacturing infrastructure. Delivery will require careful planning and coordination to ensure works are delivered safely and efficiently while maintaining uninterrupted site operations.
Delivering in a Highly Regulated Environment
The project presents a technically complex delivery environment, including a hazardous material production and packaging facility classified as ATEX Zone 2, integration within cleanroom settings and extensive coordination within an operational manufacturing site.
Working within regulated environments requires a high level of engineering expertise, rigorous planning and a strong focus on safety, quality and compliance.
Designer Group’s experience in delivering projects within pharmaceutical and industrial facilities positions the company to successfully manage these challenges while supporting the client’s operational requirements.
Supporting Advanced Manufacturing
As investment in pharmaceutical and industrial manufacturing continues to grow across the UK and Europe, the need for specialist engineering partners capable of delivering complex projects in live environments becomes increasingly important.
Designer Group’s appointment reflects its ability to operate at the intersection of advanced engineering, regulated industries and operational site delivery, providing the integration, control and technical expertise required for high-performance manufacturing facilities.
Strengthening Industrial Capability
The Purolite project further strengthens Designer Group’s portfolio within the life sciences and industrial sectors, reinforcing its reputation for delivering complex mechanical and electrical solutions in some of the most demanding project environments.
Through close collaboration with clients, design teams and stakeholders, Designer Group continues to support the development of critical infrastructure that enables innovation, productivity and long-term industrial growth.
Designer Group has been appointed to deliver the mechanical works for the retrofit and extension of Buildings C/C1 at Purolite’s manufacturing campus in Llantrisant, Wales, UK.
Purolite, a global leader in ion exchange resin technology, supplies products that support critical pharmaceutical, life sciences and industrial processes worldwide. As part of its continued growth strategy, the company is expanding its production capacity to meet increasing global demand.
The project involves the retrofit and extension of existing facilities within a live operational campus, supporting the ongoing development of advanced manufacturing infrastructure. Delivery will require careful planning and coordination to ensure works are delivered safely and efficiently while maintaining uninterrupted site operations.
Delivering in a Highly Regulated Environment
The project presents a technically complex delivery environment, including a hazardous material production and packaging facility classified as ATEX Zone 2, integration within cleanroom settings and extensive coordination within an operational manufacturing site.
Working within regulated environments requires a high level of engineering expertise, rigorous planning and a strong focus on safety, quality and compliance.
Designer Group’s experience in delivering projects within pharmaceutical and industrial facilities positions the company to successfully manage these challenges while supporting the client’s operational requirements.
Supporting Advanced Manufacturing
As investment in pharmaceutical and industrial manufacturing continues to grow across the UK and Europe, the need for specialist engineering partners capable of delivering complex projects in live environments becomes increasingly important.
Designer Group’s appointment reflects its ability to operate at the intersection of advanced engineering, regulated industries and operational site delivery, providing the integration, control and technical expertise required for high-performance manufacturing facilities.
Strengthening Industrial Capability
The Purolite project further strengthens Designer Group’s portfolio within the life sciences and industrial sectors, reinforcing its reputation for delivering complex mechanical and electrical solutions in some of the most demanding project environments.
Through close collaboration with clients, design teams and stakeholders, Designer Group continues to support the development of critical infrastructure that enables innovation, productivity and long-term industrial growth.
We are delighted to announce that our Executive Director for Data Centres, Catriona Gallagher, has been recognised with the prestigious Legacy Award at the Women in Construction Awards.
This award celebrates individuals whose contribution to the construction industry extends far beyond the projects they deliver. It recognises those whose leadership, influence and commitment have helped shape both the built environment and the people who work within it. Catriona is a truly deserving recipient.
With almost three decades of experience in construction and engineering, Catriona has built an outstanding career founded on technical excellence, strategic leadership and an unwavering commitment to quality, safety and innovation.
Her journey began with a Higher National Diploma in Civil Engineering before progressing to a degree in Building Services Engineering and a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management. Over the past 28 years, she has advanced through every stage of project delivery, developing expertise across mechanical and electrical engineering, project management, contract management and executive leadership.
Throughout her career, Catriona has played a leading role in delivering some of Ireland’s and Europe’s most complex and high-profile developments. Her portfolio spans commercial, healthcare, retail, residential, infrastructure and mission-critical projects, including Microsoft Headquarters in Sandyford, Facebook’s Grand Canal offices, Dublin Airport’s Air Traffic Control Visual Tower and numerous large-scale data centre for highly confidential clients across Ireland and mainland Europe.
As Executive Director, Catriona has provided strategic leadership across a significant portfolio of data centre infrastructure projects, helping to shape the digital backbone that supports businesses and communities across Europe. Her work has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of safety, sustainability, quality and operational excellence.
Beyond her professional achievements, Catriona is widely respected for her collaborative leadership style, integrity and commitment to developing others. In an industry where women remain underrepresented at senior executive level, she has broken barriers through expertise, determination and professionalism, becoming a trusted mentor and role model for colleagues across the sector.
Her influence can be seen not only in the landmark projects she has helped deliver, but also in the teams she has built, the careers she has supported and the standards of excellence she continues to champion.
The Legacy Award recognises a lifetime of contribution to the construction industry. Through nearly thirty years of leadership and service, Catriona Gallagher has helped shape the future of construction and critical infrastructure while inspiring the next generation of industry professionals.
On behalf of everyone at Designer Group, we extend our warmest congratulations to Catriona on this well-deserved recognition and thank her for the leadership, expertise and inspiration she continues to bring to our business and our industry.
Designer Group is proud to announce that we have been awarded the Engineers Ireland CPD Accredited Employer Standard for a further three-year period, recognising our continued commitment to professional development, engineering excellence and investment in engineering talent across the business.
Awarded following an independent audit by Engineers Ireland, the accreditation recognises organisations that demonstrate strong and structured practices in Continuous Professional Development (CPD), mentoring, technical training and employee career progression. The audit commended Designer Group’s “excellent, well integrated CPD systems, process and practices” together with “clear evidence of top level and cross functional commitment to CPD.”
The successful accreditation reflects Designer Group’s ongoing growth, international project delivery capability and expanding expertise across digital engineering, BIM, sustainability and HV/MV infrastructure projects. Current projects span 10 countries and include major works for global clients across data centre, building services, power generation and industrial sectors.
Investing in people remains central to Designer Group’s long-term strategy. Through structured mentoring programmes, graduate development initiatives, performance planning and continuous technical training, employees are supported at every stage of their careers. Engineers Ireland also recognised the company’s strong culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing and learning, with dedicated mentoring and CPD programmes helping engineers gain exposure to innovative projects and emerging technologies.
The audit further acknowledged Designer Group’s investment in future-focused engineering capability, including digital project delivery platforms, AI learning initiatives and sustainability-focused development pathways. Our focus remains on creating an environment where engineers and technical professionals can grow, develop and build long-term careers in a dynamic and innovative industry.
As the business continues to grow its international footprint and technical expertise, supporting the development of the next generation of engineers and technical professionals will remain a key priority.
The official opening of Diageo’s new Littleconnell Brewery in Co. Kildare marks a major milestone for Ireland’s brewing industry and sustainable manufacturing sector. Designer Group was proud to support the delivery of this €300 million world-class facility, which forms part of Diageo’s near €1 billion investment in Ireland between 2020 and 2029.
The facility will support the production of ales and lagers including Rockshore, Harp and Smithwick’s, while setting new benchmarks in operational efficiency and modern industrial construction.
Designed with sustainability at its core, the brewery is powered by 100% renewable electricity and is expected to avoid approximately 15,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually compared with a similar-scale facility. The project also incorporates advanced process technologies aimed at minimising overall energy and water consumption, supporting Diageo’s ambitious environmental objectives.
Designer Group was proud to support our long-term client Diageo in the delivery of key elements of the project, including the MV Systems, M&E Building Services, Process Drainage, Process Electrical works, Boiler Package and Pipe Racks. The successful delivery of these works reflects the technical expertise, coordination and commitment demonstrated by our teams throughout all stages of the project.
Projects of this scale and complexity require strong collaboration, technical excellence and a shared commitment to quality across all delivery partners. We would like to thank Diageo, our project partners and all teams involved for their professionalism, dedication and collaborative approach throughout the delivery of this landmark facility.
We are proud to have contributed to the successful completion of this project and to continue building on our longstanding relationship with Diageo, one of our earliest and most valued clients.
Designer Group is proud to have completed the refurbishment of 20 Air Street, a prestigious and sustainably focused Grade A office building located in Soho, London. The site occupies what was once one of the world’s largest hotels, originally opened in 1915, and today stands as a landmark commercial asset in the West End.
Providing approximately 180,000 sq. ft. of premium office accommodation alongside retail and amenity space, the building successfully integrates retained historic architectural elements with contemporary office design, creating a high-quality mixed-use environment in one of London’s most prominent commercial districts.
Designer Group delivered the CAT B Office fit-out across three floors, integrating new plant and distribution systems with retained and refurbished infrastructure, alongside BMS upgrade works, Lighting Control System and enhanced water treatment and system balancing. All validation activities were carefully planned and executed outside of normal working hours to minimise disruption within the fully operational building.
The project incorporated a comprehensive validation and assessment programme, including NICEIC electrical condition reports, BMS functionality assessments, air and water flow measurements, and water quality sampling. These findings informed a clearly defined scope of targeted electrical improvements, equipment component replacement and optimisation of the building’s water treatment regime.
Designer Group is proud to have been entrusted with this project, supporting the continued evolution of a flagship West End office building. Delivered through close collaboration with the client and wider project team, the works reflect our commitment to technical excellence, operational efficiency and the successful delivery of complex refurbishment projects in live commercial environments.
The AVK – Pure Data Centres project represents a significant shift in how European energy infrastructure is designed and executed. As one of the first large scale microgrid enabled energy centres supporting data centre operations in Europe, it provides a blueprint for future resilient power systems. While microgrids are common in other global markets, implementing this technology at such a scale in Europe required a sophisticated approach to engineering and system integration.
Designer Group played a central role in this transition, delivering the full Mechanical and Electrical installation. The project serves as a prime example of how complex M&E infrastructure can be harnessed to support a highly integrated and future ready energy environment.
Mastering Electrical Integration Across Complex Energy Systems
Designer Group’s electrical scope encompassed the full spectrum of critical infrastructure activities essential to modern energy centres. The delivery included plant movement and installation support, comprehensive MV cable installation, advanced containment systems, complete LV power infrastructure and intricate controls cabling networks.
The defining challenge was not simply installation, but orchestrating the interfaces between package plant, site infrastructure, control systems, and commissioning requirements across a live, operational environment. This demanded expertise in coordinating MV distribution networks, LV power systems, plant controls and complex routing through challenging plant environments.
Strategic interface management between physical infrastructure and control philosophy across multiple vendor systems.
Comprehensive integration of vendor control panels and associated site infrastructure.
Precise coordination across containment routing through complex plant and service environments.
The result was a unified electrical environment where every component operates as part of an integrated energy network rather than standalone systems.
Mechanical Delivery of Dual Fuel and Sustainable Energy Systems
The mechanical scope centred on delivering complex, high integrity pipework systems that enable flexible power generation strategies. Designer Group’s installation supports both primary and backup fuel sources through sophisticated distribution networks.
The mechanical installation encompassed high pressure natural gas systems with pressure reduction and distribution, comprehensive HVO fuel storage and transfer systems, advanced exhaust after treatment for emissions control, engineered cooling and treated water systems, and precision instrument air services.
These multi service pipework networks span multiple buildings and work fronts, requiring exceptional coordination and strict adherence to pressure and safety standards. The high integrity approach ensures reliable fuel delivery across nine dual fuel engines, providing the operational flexibility essential for modern energy infrastructure.
Precision Commissioning and Progressive Energisation
Testing and commissioning represented one of the most technically demanding aspects of the project. The heavily interfaced nature of the systems required Designer Group to develop sophisticated coordination protocols for progressive energisation and system proving.
The commissioning strategy involved careful sequencing to ensure installed infrastructure, vendor panels and plant interfaces could be validated in the correct operational order. This systematic approach addressed the complex interdependencies between mechanical, electrical and control systems while maintaining strict safety protocols.
Key delivery achievements included successful coordination between Designer Group installed electrical infrastructure and specialist vendor packages, precise alignment of installation completion with controls integration readiness, and validated panel interfaces with correctly landed alarms and control signals.
The process encompassed comprehensive pressure testing, integrated system testing, and the complex sequencing required for seamless transitions between gas and HVO fuel systems.
Pioneering the Future of Energy Infrastructure
The delivery of the AVK-Pure Data Centres project demonstrates the growing importance of integrated M&E delivery in the energy sector. As the demand for flexible and resilient power grows across Ireland and Europe, the ability to coordinate complex, high performance systems becomes a key differentiator.
Through this project, Designer Group has contributed to a new standard in energy infrastructure. The insights gained from Europe’s first microgrid enabled energy centre will continue to inform how the industry approaches the next generation of data centre power systems. By focusing on integration, dual fuel flexibility and precise commissioning, the project proves that European infrastructure is ready for the challenges of a decentralised energy future.
Image credits: AVK
The successful completion of the Guinness Open Gate Brewery at Old Brewer’s Yard, Covent Garden marks the delivery of a landmark project that blends heritage, innovation and a world-class visitor experience.
The 50,000 sq. ft. development transforms a site with over 300 years of brewing history into a modern destination celebrating craft beer, gastronomy, retail and community engagement. The project integrates multiple historic buildings to create a working microbrewery alongside immersive visitor, retail and hospitality spaces.
Designer Group was proud to support our long-term client, Diageo, in delivering the full MEP fit-out across five buildings forming the new London Guinness experience. Our scope included services supporting the brewery, two restaurants, a bar and retail space, with a strong focus on exposed MEP installations designed to complement the architectural vision. Working within existing structures required carefully developed retrofit solutions, while ensuring the delivery of robust BMS and fire protection systems.
Projects of this scale and complexity, particularly within a constrained and historic environment such as Covent Garden, require strong collaboration, coordination and technical innovation. Designer Group is proud to have played a role in bringing this exceptional destination to life.
As global demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow, data centres play a critical role in supporting the technologies that power modern businesses, cloud platforms and communication networks. The construction of these facilities requires highly specialised engineering expertise, precise coordination and a strong commitment to safety.
Designer Group is pleased to have contributed to achieving 750,000 Lost Time Injury (LTI)-free work hours on a major 9.6 MW data centre project in Vienna, marking a significant safety milestone for everyone involved in the development of this complex digital infrastructure facility. The project forms part of a hyperscale campus and is based on a standard design that enables rapid growth for large enterprises while following modular design principles for sustainability and efficiency.
Designer Group has delivered the full mechanical and electrical scope on the project and is now progressing through the commissioning phase of all systems supporting the facility’s critical infrastructure. Data centre developments demand exceptionally high standards due to the complexity of their systems, including power distribution, cooling infrastructure and mission-critical services designed to ensure continuous and reliable operations.
Working within a fast-paced construction environment requires careful planning, strong collaboration and rigorous safety management. Maintaining safe working conditions is essential to ensure complex installations can be delivered efficiently while protecting everyone on site.
We thank all project partners working alongside the Designer Group team whose dedication to safety and collaboration made this milestone possible. Reaching 750,000 LTI-free work hours reflects the professionalism, technical expertise, and commitment of everyone involved in this Vienna data centre project.
In today’s interconnected engineering landscape, international experience is a key advantage for early-career engineers. Working abroad helps graduates develop a global mindset, strengthen technical capability and gain exposure to diverse working environments and project standards.
At Designer Group, international mobility is a core part of our Graduate Programme. By placing graduates on major international engineering projects, we support their professional development from the outset, building confidence, capability and a strong foundation for long-term success in engineering.
Currently, two of our graduate engineers, Patryk Ostapczuk, a Graduate Electrical Engineer, and Vytenis Gibas, a Graduate Mechanical Engineer, are undertaking their first international assignments in Austria, working on a data centre project in Vienna. This project represents one of Designer Group’s key developments in the region and offers graduates hands-on experience in a fast-paced, highly technical environment alongside an experienced, multidisciplinary engineering team.
Last week we were delighted to attend the DCD Awards 2025 in London, one of the most significant global events in the data centre calendar. Held at Grosvenor House, the awards brought together operators, designers, contractors and technology partners from across the data centre sector to recognise innovation, excellence and leadership.
Proud Sponsors of Mission Critical Tech Innovation Award
This year, we were honoured to sponsor the Mission Critical Tech Innovation Award — a category that closely aligns with the work we deliver every day across complex, high-availability data centre projects.
Our Group Managing Director, Paul Nicholls, had the pleasure of presenting the award on the night to Ciena Data Center Out-Of-Band (OOB) Management, developed in collaboration with Meta. The winning solution demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to out-of-band management, using passive optical network technology to improve resilience while significantly reducing cabling, space and power requirements.
Recognising innovation of this calibre reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting technologies that strengthen reliability, scalability and operational performance in mission-critical environments.