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.


Create Home Design specialises in extensions and new-build homes, and we provide the structural engineering expertise to make those architectural visions a reality.

Together, we offer a seamless design experience for homeowners without the delays, miscommunications, or compromises that often come from using separate consultants.


Here’s how working together benefits residential clients:

  1. Architecture and Engineering, Aligned from Day One

From the earliest concept sketches, we’re collaborating with the architectural team to ensure designs are not only creative and functional but also structurally feasible. That saves time, reduces design iterations, and avoids surprises later in the process.

  1. Smoother, Faster Delivery

Because we’re in constant communication with our in-house Architects decisions are made quickly and efficiently. There’s no waiting for replies from third parties or reworking plans after the fact, we move in sync.

  1. Avoiding Design Clashes

One of the most common issues in residential projects (not so much in commercial) is the disconnect between the architect’s intent and what the structure can support. Our integrated working relationship means potential conflicts are identified and resolved early, keeping the build on track.

building regulations
  1. Realistic Designs = Controlled Budgets

We help our Architects develop elegant, buildable solutions that stay within budget. By identifying costly details or overengineering early on, we protect clients from unexpected costs during construction.

  1. One Team, One Vision

With us, homeowners don’t feel like they’re managing multiple consultants, they get one coordinated team with a shared goal: delivering a home that looks great and performs brilliantly.

So while we’re best known for our commercial work, our residential projects get the same depth of engineering expertise, quietly delivered, consistently reliable.

Got 5 minutes,? grab a coffee and take a look at our Create Home Design website; click here 

Create home design website

This week, we’re proud to celebrate a milestone for Carly Barrow RIBA, who marks three years with Michael Aubrey Barrow!

Carly leads our architectural brand , Create Home Design, with a perfect blend of empathy, creativity, and precision.

Since joining us, she’s become a cornerstone of our integrated design approach, always focused on understanding our clients’ needs and translating them into wonderful, buildable designs.

Whether it’s a home extension to bring in more natural light or a complete refurbishment to create better flow and functionality,

Carly has an innate ability to see the bigger picture while nailing the smallest details.

What truly sets her apart is how she listens. Carly’s warm, collaborative style ensures that every project is shaped around the family’s unique vision, resulting in spaces that aren’t just beautiful, but feel like home.


“It’s about listening first, then designing with care.

Great architecture starts with understanding how people really live and how they want to feel in their space.”


We’re incredibly grateful for Carly’s dedication, leadership, and the joyful spirit she brings to our team every day.

Here’s to you, Carly, and to many more years of creating spaces that matter!

Clients, referrers, suppliers and friends of Michael Aubrey Structural Engineers and Create Home Design enjoyed a relaxing Friday evening exploring the picturesque River Thames.

Boarding from the Caversham pier, Reading our private charter, the Caversham Princess departed just after 6pm.



We were incredibly lucky with the weather – a beautiful warm summers evening ahead of us.

After enjoying welcome drinks, team members mingled with clients, referrers, suppliers and friends – some of which we had never met face to face!

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the scrumptious “street food” BBQ, featuring delectable burgers and veggie kababs, complemented by two mouthwatering salads. To top it off, we savoured a delightful dessert spread, including a raspberry roulade and a lemon tart.


As we meandered up the River Thames, we enjoyed some of the most unspoilt reaches of the upper Thames, passing the pretty village of Purley on Thames and Mapledurham House.

Pausing for a moment as we navigated through Mapledurham lock, just as the sun was setting.





On return to Reading John and Carly thanked everyone for attending the event. The riverboat cruise was an extra special occasion celebrating the creation of Michael Aubrey Barrow – bringing Structural Engineering and Architecture together under one roof – a true collaboration of similar minds!

John also expressed appreciation to Julie and Leigh-Ann whose contributions ensured the event’s success and safety.

Thank You

Some lovely words of thanks from our Clients ….

“Just want to say thank you very much for a great evening on Friday – perfect weather, delicious food and a thoroughly enjoyable experience”.

“Just a little note to say thank you to you and all at Michael Aubrey Barrow for organising a great evening on the river cruise yesterday”.

“Thank you so much for inviting me to your event. It was a delightful evening meeting some old friends and delicious food. It was brilliantly organised Julie I know how much effort goes in to these things. It was good to learn of your new enhanced organisation which I personally believe is the right strategic move and fills an important gap. Thanks again for your continued support on the development”.

The Caversham Princess


The Caversham Princess was commissioned for Thames Rivercruise as the flagship of the Upper Thames. A luxurious twin deck passenger vessel, ideal for larger parties and private charter. For more details click here.

Today we are thrilled to announce our merger with Caversham based Architects, Greenway Barrow.Working as a separate brand under Michael Aubrey Partnership, “Create Home Design” will be in a unique position to help families to create their forever homes.John Staves, Chartered Structural Engineer will continue as Managing Director with Carly Barrow, RIBA Chartered Architect, joining as Head of Architecture.Talking of the merger, John Staves, Managing Director at Michael Aubrey Partnership said


Complementary Skill Set

“Today, we couldn’t be more excited to officially announce the creation of our new brand “Create Home Design“.We have been working together for several years, and with such a successful working relationship and a complementary skill set, we felt the two companies had more to offer together than apart.


Well Thought out, Unique, and Cost Effective

“The greatest benefit to our clients is the reassurance that they will be receiving expert engineering and architectural advice at the outset of their project. This means that they can be confident their vision for their forever home will be well thought out, unique, and cost effective – with no need for design compromises further down the line!We use the latest “BIM” 3D technology so our clients can start to get excited and “experience” their new home in 3D before it’s even built!We are looking forward to the many projects we will complete together as one company in the future.”



Talking of the merger Carly Barrow, Director of Greenway Barrow Architects said

Dedicated and Experienced

“Having developed a close collaboration, I’ve seen first-hand the benefits of structural input early on in the design process.The team at Michael Aubrey are a dedicated and experienced bunch and I’m excited to be joining them to deliver a more holistic offering. 


create home design


Helping Families Develop Ideas

Our shared values and client centric approach will continue be at the heart of our process, we’re looking forward to helping more families explore and develop ideas to create their forever homes!”

New builds, Replacement Dwellings and Large Renovations

Create Home Design will specialise in residential new builds, replacement dwellings and large house renovations.If you are thinking of a large house renovation or are at the early stages of looking for a plot of land, we can be contacted on; 0118 962 7999, hello@mapl.co.uk or fill in your details below and we’ll get back to you the same working day.

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