Following recent decisions by some Building Control authorities to introduce a blanket ban on approving screw pile foundations, it’s a timely moment to pause and examine what’s really going on. In a recent discussion with John Staves, Chartered Structural Engineer and the UK’s screw pile specialist, one thing became immediately clear: Building Control concerns are […]
30
Mar
Mar
Ground Screws vs Helical Piles Ground Screws Ground screws are often marketed as an alternative to traditional concrete foundations and in some situations, they’re a perfectly reasonable choice. But it’s worth being clear about what they are from an engineering point of view. There is usually: Limited or no project-specific design No verification of load […]
08
Dec
Dec
Every successful engineering practice has a few people who keep everything running smoothly in the background, people who quietly hold the whole operation together while the rest of us are out on site, solving problems, and meeting clients. For us, that person is Leigh-Ann. This year marks 10 years since she joined our team, and […]
04
Dec
Dec
Temporary Works When we were approached by the team working on a Grade II listed pub, the project already had a structural engineer overseeing the permanent works design. But there was one problem; no one wanted to take on the temporary works. For a building with such significant heritage value and real constraints on what […]
01
Dec
Dec
Celebrating Special Moments in Our Team At Michael Aubrey, we love celebrating not just the work we do, but the people who make it all happen. This month, we’re delighted to share two pieces of happy news from within our team. First up, Josh, one of our talented Structural Engineers, has celebrated a milestone birthday, […]
23
Nov
Nov
Link Visiting Christmas Appeal At Michael Aubrey Barrow we’ve always believed in the power of community and in the difference that simple acts of kindness can make. This year, we’re proud to support Link Visiting and their annual Christmas Appeal, a campaign that brings comfort and companionship to people who may otherwise spend the festive […]
17
Nov
Nov
This year’s Structural Awards from The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) once again brought together the brightest and most visionary structural engineering projects from around the globe – and John Staves, our Managing Director was delighted to attend in his role as Chair of IStructE Limited. A spotlight on excellence The 2025 shortlist encompasses 34 […]
19
Sep
Sep
Have you ever passed by someone on the street without realising they quietly changed the world? This week, we had the chance to spend an evening with just such a person. You might not recognise his face, but his invention touches your life every single day. I’m talking about Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the man who […]
21
Aug
Aug
A recent post on LinkedIn suggested that contractors should use their “common sense” and just get on with it, rather than referring back to the structural engineer when something on site doesn’t match the drawings. On the surface, it sounds practical. After all, contractors are on site every day, they know the building, and they […]
13
Aug
Aug
When thousands of UK buildings were found to contain a dangerous material, demolition was widely seen as the only answer, we believed there had to be a better solution. This year, Michael Aubrey Structural Engineers was named Berkshire’s Construction & Engineering Company of the Year 2025 at the UK Business Awards for Berkshire and also […]
05
Aug
Aug
If you’ve ever been told, “We don’t do temporary works,” by a structural engineer, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common pain points for contractors and developers. You’re trying to get a steel frame propped, a basement dug safely, or a wall retained mid-demolition and suddenly the structural engineer steps back. So, why […]
18
Jul
Jul
Why Architecture and Engineering Work Better Together: Supporting Create Home Design Behind the Scenes We don’t shout much about our residential work. Our primary focus is on commercial clients; developers, building owners, architects, and contractors. But behind the scenes, we also support a steady flow of domestic projects through our sister brand, Create Home Design. […]