At Coogan & Co we have built a strong architectural practice on a reputation for results. Our can-do ethos focuses on maximising value for clients: releasing the potential of sites to our commercial clients; providing cost-effective building solutions that work well for our public sector clients. From the practice established by Kevin Coogan in 1984, the company has grown into one of the largest and most successful architectural firms in Northern Ireland.

The Directors

Kevin Coogan founded the practice in 1984 after wide experience in several Northern Ireland firms. He began his career in 1967 as an architectural technician and continued to work through his professional training as an architect. His drive and professionalism has been vital to the growth of the company, which was incorporated in 1999 to include directors Stephen Blaney and David Purdy. Many successful companies are based on top teams with complimentary skills. The directors cover key aspects of building procurement.

Kevin Coogan Bsc DipAAS Dip Proj. Man. RIBA is Managing Director. He is well known for business acumen, project and company leadership, strategic judgement and an ability to add extra value to a building or site.

Stephen Blaney Bsc DipAAS RIBA is Design Director. From excelling at University and previous companies, he has developed as the foremost designer in the firm. He leads the design and presentation team, which has produced a large output of high quality schemes. Stephen has been responsible for a large output of housing work in recent years, particularly on difficult urban infill sites.

David Purdy HND is Technical Director, with 15 years leading experience in the technical and production management side of the practice. He brings depth of knowledge in building technology and experience of the on-site stage to the board of directors and manages a team of technically orientated architects and technicians, producing tender packages to tight timescales.

Associates

David Henry Bsc Dip AAS RIBA MaPS is Quality System Manager for the ISO 2008 Quality Management System and is a Planning Supervisor for Health and Safety within the CDM Regulations with membership of the Association of Planning Supervisors. He is a senior architect leading a team who serve the public sector housing and building management clients.

Paul Doherty HND is the senior technical associate involved in the high output of production information with strong expertise in housing road layout aspects.

Planning Consultants

A Planning Consultancy is established in-house with a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. Andrea Kells BA RTPI LLB researches and advises on all planning policy matters which crucially affect planning approvals and carries out a range of other planning work including preparation for Appeals, representations to Area Plans and responses to draft DoE policies.

Qualifications of Staff

Our Quality Management System to ISO 9001 sets minimum standards for all posts including administrative ones.

Computing Resources

We use a network of workstations linked to a server, which enables the storage, virus protection, and back up to a fireproof safe of all information. As well as AutoCAD software, many projects benefit from the presentation software and skills of staff that use it. 3D modelling of larger projects allows photo-realistic montages or animated sequences to be created. We produce interactive, multi-media, CD-based and PowerPoint presentations. We make full-colour graphic brochures and presentation displays for clients to sell schemes. We have discovered ways to combine traditional drawing skills with computer enhancement to great effect.

Project programming, spreadsheet, internet and NBS Specification software are used to harness the great quantities of information, which are part of the modern building process.