Alder Structural Engineering
Structural Engineers
Alder Structural Engineering
Alder Cl, Wareham
# Alder Structural Engineering
Alder Structural Engineering is a Chartered Engineering practice based in Wareham, Dorset, founded by Elise O'Donovan MEng CEng MICE. The firm specialises in structural design for residential and light commercial projects across southern England, with a distinctive focus on sustainable construction.
The business distinguishes itself through genuine expertise in low-carbon and natural building materials. Rather than treating sustainability as an afterthought, Alder integrates environmental considerations into the core design process. This includes specialist knowledge in roundwood timber, straw bale construction, cross-laminated timber (CLT), and hempcrete—materials that many conventional structural engineers lack experience with.
Alder serves homeowners, developers, and architects pursuing environmentally conscious building projects. Their clientele ranges from those planning traditional house extensions to those undertaking ambitious builds with alternative materials. The firm also works with heritage projects, helping extend the life of historic structures through sensitive interventions.
What sets Alder apart is the combination of technical rigour—evidenced by chartered status and professional qualifications—with accessibility. The practice prides itself on a straightforward, friendly approach rather than unnecessarily complex jargon. They offer flexible engagement, from initial site consultation visits to full structural design packages. Notably, they'll also review existing designs to identify opportunities for reducing embodied carbon, making their expertise available to projects already underway.
Operating Tuesday to Thursday, 9am–3pm, with flexible arrangements for site visits, Alder provides specialist support that bridges the gap between conventional engineering and sustainable building aspiration.
Alder Structural Engineering is a Chartered Engineering practice based in Wareham, Dorset, founded by Elise O'Donovan MEng CEng MICE. The firm specialises in structural design for residential and light commercial projects across southern England, with a distinctive focus on sustainable construction.
The business distinguishes itself through genuine expertise in low-carbon and natural building materials. Rather than treating sustainability as an afterthought, Alder integrates environmental considerations into the core design process. This includes specialist knowledge in roundwood timber, straw bale construction, cross-laminated timber (CLT), and hempcrete—materials that many conventional structural engineers lack experience with.
Alder serves homeowners, developers, and architects pursuing environmentally conscious building projects. Their clientele ranges from those planning traditional house extensions to those undertaking ambitious builds with alternative materials. The firm also works with heritage projects, helping extend the life of historic structures through sensitive interventions.
What sets Alder apart is the combination of technical rigour—evidenced by chartered status and professional qualifications—with accessibility. The practice prides itself on a straightforward, friendly approach rather than unnecessarily complex jargon. They offer flexible engagement, from initial site consultation visits to full structural design packages. Notably, they'll also review existing designs to identify opportunities for reducing embodied carbon, making their expertise available to projects already underway.
Operating Tuesday to Thursday, 9am–3pm, with flexible arrangements for site visits, Alder provides specialist support that bridges the gap between conventional engineering and sustainable building aspiration.
Services offered
Roundwood timber designStraw bale designCross laminated timber designFoundation design including ground screwsHouse extension designHistoric structure conservationSite consultation visitsStructural design for solar installations