Our Profile

About Us

We specialise in the innovative use of new technology to provide high-quality and cost-effective structural engineering services.

We gained wide recognition for the innovative relocation of the 3000‑tonne Museum Hotel.  Since then major commercial new builds combined with refurbishment and strengthening projects of varying size and scale have further broadened our capabilities and our reputation.

We have provided consultation services to MBIE, Wellington City Council, NZ Society for Earthquake Engineers, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and GNS Science Te Pū Ao, especially in the field of earthquake engineering and seismic strengthening.

Dunning Thornton is a Just 3.0 organization.  Details about the Just programe and our label are available here: Just 3.0-Dunning Thornton

We are proud to be certified as a Climate Friendly business with Ekos.  Our offsets grow and protect forests in Aotearoa/NZ and the wider Pacific Islands.

Our Story

Our Story

Our company was established in 1979 by Cris Dunning, and quickly built a reputation through construction-related design and alternative engineering solutions.

Adam Thornton joined in 1986, bringing considerable experience in multi-storey design, and in 2004 Paul Brimer & Alistair Cattanach became Directors and Cris Dunning retired.

Adam retired as a Director in 2017 but is actively involved in the office, assuming the mantle of Structural Engineer (emeritus) in recognition of his founding role within DTC and distinguished service.

In November 2022 Paul Brimer retired and Ryan Clarke and Chris Speed became Directors, joined by Associates Nicki Vance and Jaimie Whitehead.  We continue to value the involvement of Senior Management in our projects and have succession planning in place to ensure this continues well into the future.

Today, Dunning Thornton employs approximately 25 people in our central Wellington office.  Our team has considerable industry experience and diverse skills.  Half have been with the firm for over 10 years, providing the stability for consistently high-quality work. 

Our Expertise

  • Multi-storey mixed-used and commercial structures
  • Simple and complex domestic construction
  • Environmentally sustainable design
  • Seismic appraisal and strengthening, including heritage structures
  • Base isolation and other low-damage design technologies
  • Innovative high performance timber structures
  • Cable, hybrid and post-tensioned structures
  • Lifting and moving buildings
  • Large span, large volume spaces
  • Temporary works design
  • Sculptures and unusual forms

Our values

  • Economy of design
  • Structural understanding
  • Buildability
  • Accuracy
  • Teamwork
  • Delivery

Our awards

  • ACE New Zealand

    2020 Gold Award: Nelson Airport Terminal

    2020 Sustainability Award: Nelson Airport Terminal

    2019 Gold Award: 20 Customhouse Quay

    2015 Gold Award: Clyde Quay Wharf

    2013 Silver Award: Massey University Wellington College of Creative Arts

    2012 Silver Award: Whakapapa Knoll Ridge Cafe and Cat Shed

    2011 Gold Award: Waitomo Caves Visitor Centre

    2011 Silver Award: Allan MacDiarmid Building

    2010 Gold Award: Chews Precinct

    2008 Silver Award: Shed 13 Strengthening

  • NZSEE Earthquake Strengthening

    2024 John Hollings Award: 1 Whitmore Street

    2016 Earthquake Strengthening Award: The Woolstore

    2014 Best Engineering Solution:  312 Lambton Quay

    2014 Best Engineering Solution:  UoA Library Building

    2013 Overall Winner: Royal Society of New Zealand Building

  • Timber Design Awards

    2023 Timber Engineering Award: Nelson Airport Terminal

    2023 Sustainable Development Award: Scion Hub

    2020 Engineering Innovation Award: Lindis Lodge

    2018 Engineering Innovation Award: Mt Pleasant Community Centre

    2017 Excellence in Engineering Award: Torea Studio

    2012 Engineering Excellence Award: Massey University Wellington College of Creative Arts

    2010 Commercial Engineering Excellence: Waitomo Caves Visitors' Centre

  • Property Council New Zealand

    2024 Best in Category - Civic, Health and Arts Property Award: Tākina

    2022 Best in Category - Office Property Award:  Generator 30 Waring Taylor Street

    2022 Best in Category - Heritage and Adaptive Reuse Award:  Generator 30 Waring Taylor Street

    2021 Award of Excellence - Office Property Award:  Scion Innovation Hub

    2020 Best in Category - Multi Unit Residential:  132 Halsey

    2019 Best in Category - Commercial Office Award: PWC Centre

    2018 Award of Excellence - Education:  Cuba Dixon Redevelopment

    2015 Supreme Award:  Clyde Quay Wharf

    2014 Award of Excellence:  Grant Thornton House

    2009 Supreme Award: Chews Lane Precinct

  • Steel Construction New Zealand

    2023 Excellence in Steel Construction Supreme Winner: 1 Whitmore Street

    2022 Earthquake Strengthening: Generator 30 Waring Taylor Street

    2018 Excellence in Steel Construction: 20 Customhouse Quay