Integrated Design, Buildable Solutions
At Spencer Group, over 75% of the work we deliver is designed in-house across Civil, Structural, Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, C&I and Process disciplines, all led by Chartered Engineers.
This isn’t about keeping work internal, it’s about the results that come from having design capabilities embedded directly alongside construction and procurement. Issues get resolved in the model rather than on site, and buildability is tested from the earliest concept stage.
When decisions need to consider programme, cost, or materials, those conversations happen in real time. That’s why Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) works — construction and procurement expertise help shape the design before any commitments are locked in.
Our federated 3D models are developed in platforms such as Revit, OpenBuildings Designer, and SolidWorks, covering everything from MEP coordination to complex bespoke mechanical assemblies. 4D programming visualises construction sequencing and the critical path, while 5D modelling incorporates cost. Material specifications are embedded directly in the model, creating a single source of truth from design through to handback, digital construction working the way it should.
Spencer Group also delivers Principal Designer services under CDM 2015, managing design risk, coordinating interfaces, and ensuring handback information supports safe operation and future modification.
This drives sustainability: early design decisions influence material use and reuse potential, and accurate handback data enables adaptation rather than demolition. Design for the whole asset life, not just first construction.
Here’s a look at some of the key projects our Design team have worked on this year:
Trafford Energy Park, Carrington
A new energy facility requiring specialist cryogenic equipment with exacting requirements. Our team is delivering the civil design, foundations, drainage networks and road layouts, providing a coordinated platform for what comes next.
Tyseley Depot
Civil, structural and mechanical design for depot enhancements on an operational railway: extensions to maintenance buildings, new inspection pits and M&E integration. Point-cloud surveys and 3D clash detection supported delivery ahead of programme and under budget.
Tay Road Bridge
Two permanent self-propelled under-deck access gantries, incorporating bespoke mechanical systems with articulated motion to navigate the bridge geometry. Designed in Solidworks, with structural and mechanical layouts developed in parallel and modelled to prove fit before fabrication.
The Design team has grown through 2025 and continues expanding into 2026, strengthening capability across rail, energy, bridges and infrastructure.
Concept to handback: design that understands how things get built, fully integrated into how Spencer Group delivers.
Looking Ahead: Waterbeach Station
Design is currently underway on a new £28.5m station at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, which will deliver two fully accessible platforms, footbridge, lifts, and integration with walking, cycling and bus networks. The scope shows integrated delivery at work: civil and structural design, M&E, steelwork canopies and pre-cast platform elements chosen for buildability and safety.
