After graduating, I was fortunate to work at the well-respected structural engineering firm in Toronto, Halcrow-Yolles (formerly the Yolles Partnership). I was a contract administrator on large projects for the first couple years of my engineering career and this experience provided me with a great understanding of how projects are managed and constructed on-site. I always leverage this knowledge in my designs when developing a solution to an architectural or structural problem and prepare well-coordinated documents so that surprises are minimized during construction. I moved on to the small projects team and found my niche in engineering. I really enjoyed being involved with all phases of a project, from design meetings to structural design and preparation of drawings, construction review, and project close-out. Here, I learned the importance of building strong, professional relationships with all members of the project team and how good collaboration can lead to the successful completion of a project.

 

I continued expanding my skills in small project design/management at Halsall Associates, another large consulting firm in Toronto. With exposure to projects such as the interior renovation of the Canadian Music Centre in Toronto, the restaurant interior fit-out for Moxie's in downtown Toronto, the new build CIBC branch in Cambridge, and several full-day kindergarten school expansions in the GTA, I further developed my love of the design and construction process in residential and small-to-medium sized commercial projects.

 

Although we enjoyed our time in Toronto, my wife, Deanne, and I decided to shake things up and moved to Peterborough in 2013 in search of a better work-life balance, with a connection to community and nature. I’ll admit it was a leap of faith - without jobs lined up and no family connections in the area! Fortunately, I quickly landed a position at Steelworks Design. Even though they focus more on industrial engineering and fabrication, they saw the benefit of an in-house structural engineer and took a chance on me. Over the next 4+ years, I primarily worked on the design and certification of high density storage racking, cranes, lifting devices, and mezzanines. I expanded my knowledge of the steel fabrication process, reinforced my understanding of the importance of clear and precise drawings for the success of a project, and gained an appreciation for how structural design impacts the manufacturing process. Again, the team collaboration between mechanical and structural engineers, project managers, and fabricators lead to successful projects and satisfied clients, but I missed the creativity that comes with solving design challenges with architects, designers and contractors on construction projects.

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In talking with professionals in the community, I felt there was a gap that I could fill that would align with my expertise in designing and managing small projects so I’m taking my next leap of faith by starting James + Co. Structural Engineering in 2018. I am confident that I will establish myself as a trusted partner to the many architects, contractors, designers and homeowners who appreciate a collaborative approach to structural design and sometimes need the creativity of an artist to make their designs come true!