“Physics is physics”: delivering consistency across borders

“Physics is physics. The fundamentals of design don’t change from country to country. What does change are the permitting and life-safety requirements, and the climate design parameters. Our job is to make sure none of that delays an opening.” - Bernard Denver, MD

Irish relationships opened the door. A repeatable way of working keeps it open. From retail roll-outs to mission-critical data centres and large office fit-outs, Metec applies the same philosophy wherever the site is: clear briefs, cost certainty at each stage, rigorous compliance with local rules, and one integrated M, E, Sustainability and BIM team solving problems together.

The problems our clients face (and how the model answers them)

1. Open on the date promised

‍Local approval pathways and life-safety sign-offs differ by jurisdiction. That “one piece of paper” at handover can hold up trading if the approach isn’t watertight.

• Metec method: extract the brief early; stage-gate costs so there are no surprises; align permitting and life-safety with local partners from the outset; curate handover documentation so openings happen on schedule.
  
• Why integrated helps: with M+E+S+BIM at one table, compliance decisions are made alongside cost and programme-not after the fact.
  

“There is a huge onus on us and our local partners. We make sure engineering services and documentation are compliant so the doors open on time.” - Bernard Denver

2. Consistency without copy-and-paste

‍A brand wants the same in-store or in-office experience across markets-but design inputs diverge.

• Climate deltas: Romania’s external temps swing from +35°C in summer to –20°C in winter (~55°C), compared with c. 30°C in Ireland.
  
• Metec response: tune system selections, controls strategies, and envelope assumptions to local climate and code-without sacrificing comfort, lighting quality, IAQ, or energy/carbon performance.
  

“The laws of physics don’t change, but the inputs do. It’s not copy-and-paste; you have to understand the differences country by country.” - Bernard Denver

3. Cost certainty at the right time

‍ Late changes kill programme and margin.

• Metec method: brief extraction → cost sign-off at each stage → coordinated drawings issued through BIM to reduce RFIs and rework.
  
• Why integrated helps: commercial, sustainability, and buildability are resolved together, so the cost you sign is the cost you build.
  

“We always extract the brief up front and get costs signed off before moving stage.” - Bernard Denver

4. Life safety and permitting

‍From Germany’s TÜV culture to regional fire strategies, this is where projects stall if you’re not ready.

• Metec method: pair internal life-safety competence with trusted local partners we’ve worked with for 14–15 years, aligned to local code, language, and authorities.
  
• Why integrated helps: fire, HVAC/smoke, power resilience, and controls are coordinated in one conversation-not a chain of emails.
  

5. Operational pragmatism

‍Getting teams on site efficiently matters.

• The reality: a day trip via Schiphol and rail can be simpler than a cross-country drive in Ireland. Teams arrive fresher; decisions happen faster.
  

“We don’t see geography as a restriction. In many cases it’s easier to get a team to a European site and back in a day than a long domestic drive.” - Bernard Denver

From Ireland to Europe: the growth story

Metec’s international journey began in 2011 with its first overseas retail project. Since then, the team has delivered close to 40 stores, covering around 2.5 million sq ft across seven countries.

“We’re targeting companies with a global footprint. The point is: we go with them outside Ireland.” - Bernard Denver

That approach now extends across retail roll-outs, large office Cat B programmes, life sciences, and mission-critical data centres.

Recent named projects include:

• Google Treasury (fit-out): repurposing a 1940s landmark into a high-performing building with modern sustainability and BIM standards.
  
• KPMG HQ (328,000 sq ft): consolidating multiple Dublin locations into a flagship fit-out targeting LEED and smart-building goals.
  
• 4–5 Grand Canal (Union Investment): deep retrofit of the former Facebook HQ with embodied-carbon-aware interventions.
  
• Irish Life HQ, Abbey Street (300,000 sq ft): reversing new design into a 1970s Andy Devane landmark, upgrading façade and services while retaining original character.

Why this matters to you

For consultants, architects, developers, and investors expanding across Europe, the challenges are clear:

• Compliance risks that delay openings
  
• Climate and regulatory variation that undermine consistency
  
• Cost overruns that damage margin
  
• Programme inefficiencies that waste time and energy
  
• Mission-critical risks that can’t tolerate failure
  
• Capacity issues when teams aren’t ready to deliver
  

Metec’s integrated way of working doesn’t just solve these problems-it prevents them from happening in the first place. That’s why clients bring us with them when they expand internationally.

“We are building relationships that are not just for one project or one region. The point is to deliver the same standard, wherever the next site is.” - Bernard Denver