Arcen, a key player in the Northern Ireland architectural and structural engineering landscape, is marking its 40th year in business by bringing the expertise of sister residential firm Nest Architects closer to the core, as the business seeks to expand its presence Ireland-wide.
The development cements Arcen’s status as a versatile, multi-disciplinary practice, offering a total design solution across commercial, industrial, food processing, health, education, and residential projects delivered by sister company Nest Architects.
Established in 1985 and evolving through new ownership to remain a market leader, the firm celebrated its 40th anniversary last week at The Old Rectory in Killyman, one of its most impressive recent redevelopments.
Arcen has worked on a range of projects across the UK and Ireland, from large-scale industrial, food processing and commercial projects, to high end residential builds and major public sector work.
Led by Tyrone-based directors Johnston Bell and Jason Arthur, the practice offers a unique market position with the seamless integration of Chartered Architects and Structural Engineers under one roof.
Unlike the traditional industry model where these disciplines are often siloed, Arcen’s approach ensures technical engineering and creative design are handled simultaneously.
This integrated approach is key to the group’s expansion strategy. With a proven track record across Northern Ireland, the firms are now expanding their reach into the south of Ireland, seeking to bring their offering to large-scale commercial tenders and premium residential commissions in a broader market.
Operating from offices in Cookstown and Belfast, the business currently employs 12 with plans to increase its workforce within the next year.
“Arcen’s 40-year legacy has been built on technical precision,” comments Johnston Bell. “By expanding our multi-disciplinary team, we are offering an expertise that is rare in the local market. Having architects and structural engineers working side-by-side from the first sketch ensures our designs are not only visionary but inherently buildable and structurally optimised.”
Jason Arthur believes the future success of the business lies in this technical synergy: “By housing both architects and engineers, we catch complexities early and deliver a smoother, more efficient process for our clients. As we build out our reach across Ireland, this ability to provide a complete, integrated design-and-engineer package will be our primary differentiator.”