Site/Civil Engineering

On and Off Site with Brian Pratt

Brian Pratt is a Civil Engineer in our Manchester, NH office. He leads the “Site� team of our Community Development Business Line. We asked him a few questions to learn more about what he and his team do and what civil engineers do.

Q: So what does a civil engineer do?

A: Civil engineering focuses on designing, maintaining, fixing, and constructing buildings and infrastructure (roads, bridges, dams, parking lots, utilities, etc.).

I work mostly on buildings for private clients: retail stores, medical facilities, hotels, grocery stores, restaurants, etc., but a big part of what we do is design residential subdivisions.

Q: So you actually build buildings?

(Laughs) No, but I guess I build them on paper! There are a lot of systems and considerations that need to be thought about, planned, analyzed, and designed before the actual building can be built. I work with architects that design the building; we focus on everything just outside of the building, including coordinating with utility companies to make sure that the building can have electricity, telephones, internet connections, and running water. I also make sure that the land itself is okay to build on. We have to think about how our building will impact the area.

Are there wetlands nearby? Is the ground stable enough to build on?

Are there any wildlife or species we need to be mindful of? And I work with local and federal governments to make sure we’re following all the rules and regulations they have put in place to keep their town or city the way they like it. Once the project is approved by the regulators, we work with the contractor to help everything get built correctly.

Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?

A: Hmmmmm‌..great question! There’s so much I like about it! I like that I get to work with great people, that I make things that help people, and I like that I get to watch what I create on paper become a real place. I also love that I get to work on a variety of different projects. I’m constantly learning new things, and I am definitely never bored!

Q: Do you have a favorite project?

Wow, tough question! I guess I’m really proud of the work I’m doing at the Elliot Hospital campus (in Manchester, NH). They are nearly complete with their new Cancer Center that I helped design, but, in doing so, they lost a bunch of parking spaces.

So we designed and helped them build a new parking garage that not only gives them more parking, but also makes it easier for people to get in and out of the hospital. I’m also helping them with other projects on site, including an expansion of their Emergency Department, which is set to start construction soon. I really like that I’m part of something that will help people.

Elliot Hospital Campus - Manchester, NH

Q: What do you do when you’re not designing buildings?

A: I love hiking and photography (which is a great combination)! It’s probably better if I just show you.

Here are some of my favor

rite photos that I’ve taken:

Thank you Brian for sharing your experience and photography!