The Team

Michael Flynn – Managing Director, Practising Forensic Engineer

Michael Flynn is currently Managing Director at HLF Architects – and has been in private practice with the firm for over 18 years. Michael’s key duties include the management of the Fire Engineering division – working as a consultant Fire Engineer throughout the region.

Prior to joining Hassett Leyden & Associates, Michael worked with Limerick Corporation and North Tipperary as a Senior Fire Officer, and was Assistant Chief Fire Officer in Tipperary. Michael also worked as a Fire Engineering Consultant with Michael Slattery and Associates, Dublin, and gained detailed experience of fire engineering design and solutions.

Within the firm, Michael gives Structural and Civil Engineering input on projects at all levels of complexity. Having qualified as a Commercial and Domestic BER Assessor, he also provides detailed input on energy conservation.

Michael is responsible for Health and Safety management within the firm, and consults on health and safety issues both within the practice and externally. Having gained a Master’s degree in health, safety and ergonomics, Michael provides expert witness services to both the legal profession and the insurance industry – particularly in areas of statutory compliance and professional negligence.

Michael is a native of Ennis and has always been keen to support local development. It is his passion to help promote engineering and architectural excellence in the Munster Region.

Michael’s qualifications include:
Honours Degree in Mathematics (B.A.), Trinity College Dublin, 1994
Honours Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering (B.A.I.), Trinity College Dublin, 1994
Masters Degree in Ergonomics and Safety (M.Tech), University of Limerick, 2006
ISO 9000 Lead Auditor, 2005
S.E.A.I. Level 3 & 4 BER Commercial and Domestic Assessor, 2009.

Member of Engineers Ireland, 1994
Chartered Engineer with Engineers Ireland, 2006
Member of Irish Building Control Institute,1998
Member (graduate) of Institute of Fire Engineers,1998
Member of Consultant Forensic Engineers, 2013


Maximilian Kraus – Director, Senior Design Architect

Having joined the firm in 2001, Maximilian Kraus is currently Director and Senior Design Architect with HLF Architects. His role includes the design and management of individual projects – as part of the overall project design team. Maximilian provides strong design and technical direction to team members – sharing and applying the knowledge and extensive detailed experience he has acquired from his many completed projects.

Maximilian has managed a wide array of projects, from innovative modern designs to historic sites – where modern elements are required whilst maintaining the property’s historic character. He has also worked on significant commercial ventures, including a 6500sqm high end manufacturing and development facility. Maximilian also provides specialist services within the firm including Project Supervisor Design Process, Assigned and Design Certifier under the Amended Building Control Act, 2014 and Project Management as part of the firms multidisciplinary services and approach to projects.

At all times, Maximilian is first contact person on every projects to which he is assigned, endeavouring to satisfy all client queries and requests for documentation. His clients include large multinationals such as GE Sensing and Roche Ireland Ltd, significant property management companies including Shannon Commercial Properties and AIB Property Department and national voluntary housing groups including Kilamley Voluntary Housing Association, Cuan an Chlair Housing Association, Banner Housing and Brothers of Charity.

In 2018, Maximilian was nominated and shortlisted as a finalist for Architect and Building of The Year, for his project with St Augustine’s, Limerick – which saw the conversion of an abandoned city centre hall to high end student accommodation.

Maximilian’s qualifications include:
2018      Project Management
2014      R.I.A.I. – PSDP Certified 2014
2006     MRIAI registered Architect
1998      DPLG in Architecture (France) – School of Architecture, Toulouse.
1992      DEFA Architectural Technician (France) – School of Architecture,
Toulouse. E.U. Architects Directive 85/384.