Building for the future: In conversation with Chris Bell and Danny Coopoosamy

The role of structural engineering is advancing at pace, shaped by rapid growth of AI and digital technologies, evolving building‑safety regulations and a sharpened focus on building performance on the path to net-zero.

At Sweco, our Structures team is evolving too. Led by Chris Bell and Danny Coopoosamy, we’re welcoming some of the industry’s top talents – adding value to projects with director‑led teams, a client‑focused mindset and a commitment to development of our people.

Here, Chris and Danny share their insights on leading a growing department and shaping the future landscape of structural engineering in 2026 and beyond.

Q: Chris, Danny…tell us about yourselves

Chris: I joined Sweco at the start of 2025 to lead the Building Structures team. It’s been an exciting year – linking up with Danny and getting to know some of the amazing people across Sweco. We’ve focused on what matters most: collaboration, technical excellence and real client partnerships.

Danny: Hello, I’m Danny. I joined Chris in July to co-lead the team, bringing over 20 years’ experience in building structures design and delivery, mostly in London and UK regional cities. We have achieved a lot in a short period, with our aligned drive and commitment to create a great place to work for our staff and offer a different high-quality product and service to our clients and collaborators.

Q: What is structural engineering – and why do you love it?

Chris: Simply put, it’s the design of the building’s skeleton – our primary role is to ensure buildings stand up to the elements and perform as intended. But more philosophically, it’s a physical record of a project team’s collaboration: every element reflects a conversation, a compromise, an optimisation or a choice.

I love that delivery of buildings relies on a whole cross‑section of society, funders, labourers, architects, engineers, contractors, lawyers, project managers and more. I remember a great construction manager I worked with regularly regurgitating the old adage, ‘one team, one dream’ (in a Scottish accent), usually when there was a problem to be resolved – no blame. The result was fantastic and a testament that the best projects unite everyone around a common goal, and the relationships formed last long.

Danny: As Chris says, structural engineering is about designing the skeleton of buildings. It is typically hidden behind the building’s skin but can often be spectacularly displayed.  The core of what we do is about making buildings and places safe, efficient, and adaptable by shaping materials to carry the loads they’ll face; during construction by contractors, and throughout their life in everyday use.

I’m a people person; the chance to collaborate with professionals, clients and contractors from all walks of life, while getting paid to apply maths and physics, made engineering a natural choice. The work blends creativity, challenge, problem-solving, bright ideas, major responsibility and real tests of character. Most important to me is the societal, environmental and economic impact, and the simple reward of seeing projects become places people use and love.

Q: What are the biggest challenges for clients and engineers?

Danny: The big-picture challenge is protecting the climate and the planet.  The net zero deadlines are fast approaching and the consequences of not meeting them are becoming more real. The most sustainable solutions are often not the most economical. The tough challenge for all professionals, clients and contractors is to strike the perfect balance between practicality, viability and sustainability.

We’re getting there, the construction industry is stepping up and making good progress. I’m encouraged by the fact that carbon and operational energy is a big part of the design discussions very early on all our projects, whether large or small.

Chris: Another industry challenge is to integrate AI thoughtfully and responsibly, in a field where safety, accountability and competence are critical and do so in line with building safety reform.

Q: What will it take to deliver the transformational buildings the industry needs

Chris: The right team and joined-up multidisciplinary thinking, to generate ideas you only get from a truly integrated approach. Our Structures team sit alongside top class Building Services, Sustainability, Whole Life Carbon expertise, plus in‑house Building Control and Building Safety Act advisory services, we’re in a strong position.

Danny: The industry is moving towards buildings that are low‑carbon, quick to build, adaptable, durable and efficient. The rapid growth of digital tools gives us the chance to achieve all of this while still creating bold architectural and engineering projects. We’re focusing on improving our design process with collaborators and our internal multidisciplinary teams, using digital tools to work more efficiently, whilst staying grounded in real-world construction methods, and avoiding reinventing what already works well.

Q: What excites you most about the future of structural design?

Danny: I’m excited by the fusion of engineering judgement with powerful digital tools we’re developing to unlock faster, safer and  more elegant solutions. Advances in sensing and monitoring will enable genuinely intelligent structures (and foundations!) improving code calibration, defect detection and maintenance planning, and allowing us to refine safety factors where appropriate. Together, these shifts promise better performance, lower carbon and more resilient, adaptable design.

Q: And how is Sweco preparing for that future?

Chris: In a world increasingly shaped by AI, we believe great engineering still depends on human interaction, judgement and trust. We’re building adaptable, collaborative, digitally capable teams that unite strong technical skills with creative problem‑solving and close client engagement, supported by digital tools that enhance, not replace, our people.

Danny: We’re building a fully equipped, multidisciplinary team under one roof, ready to take on future challenges. Our senior leaders are hands‑on, working on live projects and only a phone call away at critical moments. We operate with the agility of a medium‑sized business within a large organisation, so we can respond quickly to industry change and client needs. Above all, our people are our greatest asset; we’re investing in their development to be the best in the industry, and we’re proud of what they achieve every day.