Building buys a pint … for Elementa Consulting

Strictly speaking, Elementa Consulting’s local is in Horsham, West Sussex, but instead we find ourselves at The George near London Bridge.

This isn’t quite as random as it might appear – nor is it because Building’s journalists resist venturing outside London for a drink in the evening.

Actually, Elementa Consulting, the credit-crunch-defying firm of M&E and environmental engineers, is about to open a -London office near the pub in Southwark and tonight provides just the excuse for a spot of familiarisation.

“I found this place on the internet,” says Kathy. “I wanted somewhere with good environmental credentials,” she jokes.

Casting his eye over the wonky walls and sagging wooden beams Gary agrees. ‘You don’t get much more sustainable than this’

Casting his professional eye over the wonky walls and sagging wooden beams Gary agrees. “You don’t get much more sustainable than this,” he says “It must have been standing here for centuries.”

Since 1676, it turns out, but as we’re sitting outside in the cobbled courtyard enjoying our first drink, Martin points out the one flaw. “Have you noticed the deck heaters,” he says. A collective groan goes around the group. Still, they’re switched off, and as we’ve got one of the few remaining benches and it’s a balmy evening, we can carry on drinking with a clear conscience.

Naturally, as this is a group of professional engineers, talk quickly turns to technical matters. We discuss the latest consultation on Part L of the Building Regulations, energy performance certificates and then … water divining.

It turns out both Martin and Niall have the gift of dowsing. Former military man Niall, in particular, recalls how he was able to use a pair of manhole cover keys to locate a water main. Martin chips in with how he once used a bent coat hanger to locate a clay drain. “To this day I don’t understand how it worked,” he says, incredulously.

Former military man turned dowser Niall recalls how he used a pair of manhole cover keys to locate a water main

Rob seems slightly sceptical of their “powers”. “Are you sure it had nothing to do with the survey results?” he enquires.

But enough of such trivialities, the topic on everyone’s mind is tomorrow night’s softball game against arch rivals MAA Architects. The firm is still new to the sport, but Kathy has pulled together a crack team. “I used to play for the national team in Australia,” she reveals.

With the two companies at level pegging, tomorrow’s game is the decider. At this point Kathy heads home to relieve her babysitter and, I suspect, to get an early night before the big game.

The rest of us decide there’s time for another drink. Hopefully, it’s a decision they won’t regret tomorrow evening.