About Us

DP Squared Ltd was formed by Darren and Deborah Paine in 2004. Having both worked for Ove Arup and Partners, their aim was to deliver a holistic design in a smaller Client focused practice by building on Director led experience throughout the project life. In that time, we have worked on more than 800 projects, ranging from small domestic extensions to historic buildings that regenerate local communities to infrastructure projects and tall buildings that create diversity within our city centres.

We believe that complex projects are no longer the preserve of the multi-faceted large consultants, and we can offer a client focused service that delivers world class results at a local level.

We are based in the West Yorkshire town of Hebden Bridge to provide a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere for our staff. Local public transport links give us easy and sustainable access to all the main Northern Cities within which we work, from Sheffield to Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and up to Lancaster.

Our core skills are:

  • Fully versed in the 3D structural modelling of buildings, whether long span structures such as bridges or stadium roofs or tall buildings with extensive basements.
  • Static and Dynamic analysis for long span or tall structures. Interpretation of Wind Tunnel data for optimisation of structural form.
  • BIM and 3D modelling for design drawings.
  • Structural design in Concrete, Steel and Timber to a range of UK, European and International codes.
  • Structural survey and repair of Historic and Listed Buildings. Sympathetic repair and remodelling of existing buildings, from small domestic projects local to Hebden Bridge to Heritage structures that act as catalysts for local community groups.
  • Engineered sculptures for public display, whether indoor or outdoor.
  • Stage structures for music festivals or large tours.


ESG

Environmental 

  • We set up a Carbon action plan which sets targets for analyzing and reducing our energy usage in our office, working life and projects. 
  • Sustainability reports for our clients form part of our design process from concept stage to detailed design. 
  • The lowering of embodied carbon and consideration of the whole life impact of our projects in collaboration with clients and project teams is one of our key design criteria.
  • We encourage our staff to use public transport or electric cars for site visits, commuting and meetings.
  • Our use of paper and ink through printing is constantly reducing through adopting modern methods of working like the use of iPads for access to drawings when at meetings or undertaking surveys.
  • We encourage the use of collaborative technology to interface with Clients and Team members, using MS Teams or Zoom. If we do need to travel to meetings we will adopt the lowest carbon option.

Social 

  • As an office we engaged in a series of mindfulness seminars in 2021. This was to help improve ourselves, how we work together as a team and help transform our business for the future. 
  • All staff are trained in first aid.
  • We all do an office lunchtime walk on a changing route around Hebden bridge to break out of work.
  • Our Friday morning meeting time is set aside for a non-work chat, focusing on the latest bingeworthy TV series, random trivia from the mid-1980’s or what everyone is up to over the coming weekend.
  • The office closes at 12pm on a Friday to give us time to unwind from work and enjoy the weekend to its fullest.

Governance 

  • We carry out regular checks, at key stages, on our projects to assess progress, see what we can improve and ensure that the Client’s brief is being met.
  • Checkprints folders on our project system ensures, even in the digital age, we have copies of all comments made by checkers on reports and drawings that need to be completed before issue. 
  • Quarterly directors’ meetings ensure the management is aware of the challenges that have been overcome in the last quarter and what opportunities are coming up in the short to longer terms.
  • We produced a BIM execution plan which guides us on all projects and is flexible if client projects specific BIM requirements.
  • We have a CPD coordinator to help staff progress their learning and fulfil objectives for their relevant institutions.