Mark Reid
Mark Reid is the Director and Principal Structural Engineer of Cornerstone Structural Engineers Pty Ltd. A Yarra Valley local since 2011, Mark is a Melbourne boy through and through. Born in New Zealand, he arrived in Australia at just 11 months old. He is equally at home whether he is in gumboots inspecting a retaining wall on a farm or a hay shed, or 200 metres up on a CBD rooftop reviewing high-rise installations.
With First Class Honours in Civil Engineering from Swinburne University and more than 20 years experience, Mark has been involved in the design and assessment of thousands of structures. His work spans residential homes and extensions, complex steelwork, commercial and industrial buildings, communication towers and other structures of high importance. He is known for his ability to combine rigorous technical analysis with an integrated, collaborative approach that works closely with clients and builders from the earliest stages.
Mark is equally comfortable with simple, practical designs and high-end architectural feature homes. All structures are of genuine interest to him. Clients regularly comment on his availability, quick problem-solving and willingness to listen carefully to everyone involved, from the owner and builder to the geotechnical engineer and machine operator on site. He firmly believes that every team member brings valid experience and input, and that learning and working together is critical to the best outcomes. Mark is committed to never stopping learning.
Before becoming an engineer, Mark worked as a motor mechanic — so yes, he knows what a spanner is and how to do up a bolt. He understands that structures must be buildable and puts real thought into his detailing, often visualising himself on the ladder trying to put the thing together.
Outside of work, Mark lives in the Yarra Valley with his wife and his three children (aged 16, 18 and 19). He loves the open spaces, the connection to nature, the people and the region’s renowned wine and food. A bit of a computer nerd but also a bit of a lad, he enjoys working on cars, archery, fitness and strength training (an ongoing journey in powerlifting), and spending time in the shed tinkering or inventing fanciful ideas, all while pretending he knows how to weld. He particularly enjoys spending time with family and friends over the barbecue, where he is known for his brisket and ribs.