Today we speak to Fergus Mactaggart, our ESD Lead. Championing ESD at BSE, Fergus leads some of our most innovative scopes. Having successfully developed and implemented sustainability strategies in a range of projects, Fergus leverages his professional and academic skills with a passion for decoupling economic growth from environmental pressures. Drawing on engineering, mathematics, architecture, psychology, urban design, and landscape architecture, BSE provides innovative, unique, and integrated environmentally sustainable design solutions to clients and project partners.
What is your background story?
Anything but a straight line is the quickest summary! Started with civil and environmental engineering, and with sustainability as the goal I tackled academic work, civil, environmental science, geotechnical and wastewater. Having such broad knowledge was a great foundation and pinpointed ESD as the aspect which best aligned with personal passions, beliefs and technical skills. Simply, I wanted to help people and to use my scientific passion and creativity to do this. From the beginning of my study, I’d been involved with Engineers Without Borders and scholarships took me to the USA, Germany, and Cambodia, understanding and learning how engineering and science can be used to solve huge issues such as housing, education and health.
Putting this learning and approach to practical application: now at BSE, our interdisciplinary ESD Team deliver solutions that provide safer, greener, cooler cities, schools and homes. Bringing my desire to help people in our local communities, we provide practical solutions for clients – decoupling environmental and human health pressures from economic growth, which is a win-win.
Did you choose engineering, or did it choose you?
It was a reciprocal relationship. My interest in science has always been a significant aspect of my pursuits. Aspirations for humanitarian engineering through my work with Engineers Without Borders and RedR, I was able to transfer this approach to a niche where I could add value through Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD). My work in ESD enables me to contribute meaningfully to the sustainable development of communities, cities, and our planet.
How do you feel services engineers add value to projects?
Service engineers bring invaluable expertise that is founded on a robust understanding of science, health, and functionality. By leveraging this knowledge, we help design building spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing also functional, comfortable, sustainable and optimised for human well-being and operational efficiency.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Any possibility of being in the ocean, surfing if conditions allow.
Professionally speaking: the opportunity to solve complex problems that benefit both individuals and society as a whole is a tremendous motivating factor. The very essence of engineering, to me, lies in its capacity to better the human experience through thoughtful and innovative design.
Pineapple on pizza: yes or no?
I am an advocate for culinary creativity, so yes, pineapple has a place on pizza in my opinion.
