History of Babbage

A professional track record over 75 years

Founded in 1936 by Alister Babbage and Lionel Faram, the practice initially specialised in civil infrastructure, including roading and bridging.

The practice grew during the post-war boom years with Babbage having extensive involvement in providing for rapid urban growth, particularly in Auckland's western suburbs.

The 1950s also saw growth in the industrial sector. Babbage was commissioned to design a large number of the buildings required for the new pulp and paper industry established at Kinleith by NZ Forest Products Ltd. More than 50 years later, Babbage continues to have an involvement with Kinleith.

When Babbage became a multidisciplinary practice in 1965, the practice continued its philosophy of direct personal responsibility by one of its principals. Over the next two decades, the company progressively added new specialist areas and partners to broaden its expertise base and provide a full range of services to its clients.

Since its early days, Babbage focussed on developing new technologies and practices to enable it to provide innovative, practical and cost-effective solutions to its clients. For instance, in the 1960s Babbage developed precast concrete construction which has proven itself as a solid and enduring building method that changed design and construction practices within the industry.

Babbage today is a fully integrated multi-discipline consulting practice with a diverse client base in many sectors. The practice continues to promote the established tradition of leadership and innovation in the respective fields of its disciplines. It is this commitment that is attributable to the success of this practice.

For more information on the 'The Difference', the legacy and celebration of projects that Babbage has created over its first 75 years, click here.