Northern Ireland architectural and structural engineering firm Arcen is expanding its footprint across the island of Ireland as it marks four decades in practice, according to a report by Business Eye. The Tyrone-based firm is bringing its residential sister company, Nest Architects, closer to its core operations as part of a broader growth strategy targeting commercial and premium residential commissions in the Republic.

Business Eye reported that Arcen, established in 1985 and operating from offices in Cookstown and Belfast, offers a distinctive integrated model in which Chartered Architects and Structural Engineers work under one roof simultaneously, rather than in separate disciplines.

The firm currently employs 12 staff, with plans to grow its workforce within the next year as it pursues large-scale commercial tenders in southern Ireland.

Director Johnston Bell said: "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."

Fellow Director Jason Arthur noted that housing both disciplines within the practice allows the firm to catch complexities early and deliver a smoother, more efficient process for clients, describing the integrated model as the firm's primary differentiator as it scales across Ireland.

The firm's 40th anniversary was celebrated at The Old Rectory in Killyman, one of its recent redevelopment projects, reflecting its range of work across industrial, food processing, commercial, health, education, and high-end residential sectors.

Explore the full story behind Arcen's all-Ireland expansion strategy.