Meet the team
Dr. Tobias Smith is a structural engineer with over ten year experience in timber, concrete and steel design. Tobias is passionate about project management and delivering PTL’s services on time and on budget. With a background in the study of time and costs involved in the implementation of innovative technologies, Tobias understands what it takes to integrate new solutions seamlessly into any project. He has worked in design offices in both New Zealand and Italy and is keen to find practical design solutions to reduce losses due to earthquakes. Tobias sits on several New Zealand code committees and is actively involved in several world leading research initiatives.
Daniel is an experienced structural engineer with a focus for practical and cost-effective solutions. With a passion for timber and seismic design, he has designed and managed a number of multi-storey structures. He has also assisted clients and fellow engineers with independent peer reviews for projects with innovative materials or structural systems. With design experience from both Italy and New Zealand, combined with a solid research background, he brings cutting edge knowledge and international best practice into every project to the client’s satisfaction.
Francesco combines his knowledge of structures with a passion for technology, creating numerical models which ensure the security of PTL’s structural design. Specializing in the seismic response of timber structures, Francesco’s skill means that PTL can apply cutting edge modelling techniques quickly and economically giving our clients access to services and quality assurance that others cannot. With Francesco on the team, PTL can ensure that its buildings are efficient in design and cost while maintaining the highest level of safety with the utmost level of confidence.
Dr. Andy Buchanan is one of the pioneers of modern timber construction. With beginnings as a consulting engineer in Christchurch and now an Emeritus Professor at the University of Canterbury, and a Chartered Professional Engineer, Andy has worked for many years in the field of timber engineering, earthquake engineering and fire engineering converting cutting edge research results into industry solutions. He has been president of the New Zealand Timber Design Society, and is author of Structural Design for Fire Safety and the New Zealand Timber Design Guide.
Dave graduated from UC School of Engineering in 1972 and spent the next 7 years working for consultants in Christchurch and London. He joined Holmes Consulting in 1980 and for the next 7 years was involved in structural design of dwellings, industrial units and multi-storey buildings. In 1987 Dave became a Director at Buchanan & Fletcher Ltd a company that completed a wide range over its 33 year history. With the merger of PTL and Buchanan & Fletcher in 2020, Dave joined PTL as a senior engineer. The focus of Dave’s work is assisting Architects, Designers & Contractors to achieve their objectives with a common sense, practical and efficient solution, providing a bit of education around structural concepts along the way.
Malcom graduated from UC School of Engineering in 1994 and has spent most of the next years working for Buchanan & Fletcher Ltd and as a director of Structural Elements Ltd in Christchurch. He joined PTL in 2020.
Malcolm’s work has involved providing structural engineering design and construction monitoring services for a wide range of residential and commercial projects. Major commercial projects have included a new Warehouse & Offices for Fletcher Easysteel, new YMCA Facility (Bishopdale), Synlait Offices (Dunsandel), New 4 Storey Accommodation Wing for Commodore Hotel, Construction Monitoring for a New Ibis Hotel (6 storeys, Christchurch), Hummingbird Coffee Roastery & Cafe. Many residential projects, both new builds and alterations have also been successfully completed.
Silvia is a structural engineer with experience in timber designing and passion in structural drafting and BIM.
Originating from Italy, she completed a second degree in building engineering-architecture and a specialization in fire prevention.
Throughout her work experience in Italy and New Zealand she has been involved in the design of a wide variety of projects, from timber sheds to institutional and community timber buildings, including complex residential dwellings and modular building system.
Silvia’s key experience includes high performance residential designing, with a keen interest in prefabricated construction method and structural solutions for certified passive housing.
Emma is a structural engineer with a passion for timber engineering which stems from the technical design challenges, sustainability, and beauty encompassed in timber buildings. Originally from Canada, Emma obtained her Masters of Engineering in Integrated Wood Design from the University of Northern British Columbia before moving to New Zealand to design timber structures and explore the country. Emma has design experience on a wide variety of timber projects across New Zealand and the Pacific Islands including log cabins, mass timber resort structures, a CLT community centre, and complex single unit and multi-storey residential buildings.
Will is a structural engineer who utilizes his growing technical knowledge and passion for problem solving to tackle challenging projects. He recently graduated from the University of Canterbury with First-class BE(hons) in civil engineering and also received 1st place for the Wide Trust timber design prize during his final year of studies. He completed his internship with PTL over the 2021/2022 summer where he worked on a wide range of residential projects. He subsequently joined our team permanently at the end of 2022.
Nadia is a dedicated structural engineer with a passion for innovation and precision. A recent graduate from the University of Canterbury with First Class Honours in Civil Engineering, Nadia brings a fresh perspective to the field. She completed an internship at PTL over the 2022/2023 summer, focusing on the design of timber portal frames. Nadia permanently joined the team in 2024 and is expanding her expertise through involvement in a diverse range of projects.
Dennis Pau is a Chartered Professional Engineer in Fire Safety of building design. He possesses broad fire engineering experience, having worked on a range of building projects around Christchurch, and also previously as a fire engineering lecturer at University of Canterbury. Some notable projects include BUPA Parkstone Retirement Village, Westpac The Terrace, Awly Building, and University of Canterbury Rehua, where Dennis was involved from the initial concept design through to project completion. Dennis’ in-depth fire engineering knowledge, especially in building fire safety design, combustible burning behaviour, and numerical smoke modelling for life safety analysis will be helpful to ensure fire-safe building design.
Pierre is a Chartered Professional Engineer in Fire Engineering specialising in performance-based Structural Fire Engineering design, and has a robust background in Passive Fire Protection. With a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from France, Pierre now has over a decade of experience in the fire engineering industry. His professional journey has been marked by significant contributions to diverse projects, ranging from industrial complexes to public and heritage buildings. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and adept problem-solving skills, he thrives in collaborative environments, actively engaging with design teams to deliver optimal solutions.
Cameron is a Structural Fire Engineer and a recent graduate from the University of Canterbury (BE(Hons). He is also working towards a Master of Engineering in Fire Engineering (MEFE) part-time. Since joining PTL, he has been involved in a range of projects, such as mass timber structural designs, a modern timber highway bridge, and fire safety designs for multi-use buildings.
Ezra is a Fire Engineer who recently joined PTL. He holds a Master of Engineering Studies in Fire Engineering from the University of Canterbury (2023). At PTL Ezra conducts peer reviews of fire safety designs, conducts literature reviews, and specializes in modern timber fire safety design.
Tiziana joined our team in early 2021. She is responsible for all aspects of office administration and finance. After having studied education in the past, she is currently studying Business at the University of Canterbury. She is always willing to learn something new and enjoys the challenge.
Her attention to detail, organization skills, and positive attitude as the smiling face of PTL help keep things on track.