About
We are a consortium of freelance Engineers, Architects and Draughtsmen, with a huge wealth of knowledge and expertise in many disciplines within the construction industry, with Practech Design Studio having a specialist interest in Facade Engineering and precast cladding manufacture.
As specialist Façade Engineers, the bulk of our practice’ work is centred on the masonry and exterior cladding industry. We have a broad based knowledge of the commercial cladding industry, specialising in the precast sector, from precast columns, edge beams, staircases and other grey products through to composite cladding panels and architecturally faced cladding panels, extending to reconstructed stone masonry, natural stone masonry and brick panelisation.
We are also specialists in designing and developing brick and stone masonry and precast cladding support/restraint systems, both for cladding and façade fixing companies with many regular clients such as Halfen and Laing O’Rouke Group.
Many of our staff operate on a freelance basis, from satellite offices throughout the United Kingdom with communication via Broadband, VPN and video conferencing, which allows us to keep our operating costs down and pass on the benefits to our clients.
History
Practech Design Studio’s emphasis on excellence and quality can be clearly seen by its long lasting relationship with many well known companies within the industry. The Company’s continuing success means that it is constantly investing in new technology and practices. Established in 1986 and originally located in the Georgian city of Bath, Practech Design Studio started out providing draughting facilities to architectural practices and engineering companies. In 1988 a move to a purpose built office building facility in Westbury, some 15 miles East of Bath, led to a diversification into the bespoke architectural concrete sector. Capacity was increased both in terms of the number of staff and size of projects undertaken, in 1989 we were one of the leading progressive companies in our sector to pioneer Computer Aided Designs systems.
The Firm’s commitment to providing a high quality service is evident in the number of prestigious projects PDS has been involved with over the years, such as the Scottish Parliament Building, Tate Modern II, The British Museum’s ‘Great Court Project’, Heathrow T5 and numerous contracts at Canary Wharf including the East Jubilee Link line tube station as well as the more recent Cross Rail network project.
Building on their success, Practech has increased its turnover year on year, and now handles precast contracts with a combined value in excess of £25 million annually, with contract values ranging from a few thousand pounds to multi millionpounds; such is the diversity of Practech Design Studio’s operational base.