After the end of World War II, there was a surge in construction projects across Europe, as nations sought to rebuild their infrastructure and economies. In this context, Steensen Varming secured the first engineering commission outside of Denmark, hired by Irish architect Michael Scott to work on a project that involved providing engineering services for the Irish National Bus Terminal and Headquarters for Irish National Transport Authority. The project was significant as it was Ireland’s first major building construction in the post-war period.
Steensen and Varming’s involvement in this project laid the foundation for their establishment of an office in Ireland. They joined forces with Irish engineers Sean Mulcahy and formed the Irish sister company Varming Mulcahy Reilly Associates (VMRA). This partnership specialized in building and process services and played a significant role in a number of notable projects in the commercial and public sectors over the years.
VMRA’s resources included professional engineers qualified in one or more engineering disciplines, which made it one of Ireland’s leading consultancy practices at the time. The company’s success in Ireland led to its expansion into the UK in the 1950s, where it continued to provide high-quality engineering services for numerous construction projects.
Overall, the Irish National Bus Terminal and Headquarters project was an essential milestone in Steensen Varming’s company history and marked the beginning of the international expansion. It also paved the way for the establishment of VMRA, which became a highly respected engineering consultancy firm in Ireland and beyond.
