About Us MacDonnell is a firm of professionals who create exceptional places for people to live, learn, work and play. Specializing in innovative engineering, management consulting, security training and cultural productions, MacDonnell takes an interdisciplinary approach to projects, inspired by its belief that people are what matter. Ports, buildings, bridges, land developments, major events and conferences are the business of the company. Halifax is the base and services are delivered globally.   MacDonnell's vision has been created from the belief that the company can make a contribution to our society that goes beyond simply executing individual projects. As a consequence, we attempt to have our project activity contribute to change that benefits the community at large. Similarly, we endeavor to maintain a relationship between all of our practice areas so that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.   Company services have evolved from primarily a consulting engineering practice to a group of practice areas and activities that allow us to use the experience of half a century in business to benefit our clients.

 

Innovative Engineering allows us to capture the brightest professionals and apply their expertise for creative solutions in the built environment. For example, the world’s first steel free bridge deck has led to regular design using fiber reinforced polymers and structural health monitoring.

 

Management Consulting and Project Management allow unique ideas and control to be present as we bring projects from concept to completion.

 

Cultural Productions provide the company with an ability to reach toward its vision in a way that other companies cannot. Exhibitions, events, and entertainment are viewed as unique learning environments that, as an integral part of the company practice, allow our clients and the public to access information and tools to better achieve their objectives, expand their cultural capacity, and build community spirit.

 

Investing in the communities we serve is a reflection of our belief that taking ownership is the best expression of commitment. We follow through with our projects, taking them from the creation stage to full operation. This often requires us to do pro bono work; investments we believe responsible professionals should support to achieve sustainable communities. Supporting the early stages of a great project like Hockeyland and investing in a creative adaptive reuse project at BOWOOD are examples of this principle in practice.

 

Maritime Security has enabled us to contribute directly to modern port management through training and human resource development.

 

Evolution of the engineering practice to include an educational component has been natural. New knowledge can be innovation for the benefit of society, as long as this knowledge is disseminated well.

 

MacDonnell has developed new opportunities for management and technical professionals to learn in unique and innovative ways. The PORTSECURE Conference and Expo is an example of how large groups can gain hands on knowledge in a truly interactive networking environment.