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 received the Award of Excellence for Structural Engineering Services.

The recognition reflects not only our technical expertise but also our commitment to solving the UK’s toughest structural challenges in ways that protect people, places, and budgets.

One of the key reasons for our recognition is our Structural Detective™ methodology a proactive, approach to uncovering hidden structural issues before they become critical.

This means spotting:

  • Movement or subsidence
  • Historical alterations that weaken a structure
  • Environmental damage
  • Material degradation

By combining site investigation, diagnostics, and decades of engineering judgment, we give asset managers, developers, and public bodies the clarity they need to protect buildings and lives long before disaster strikes.

Award for RAAC Engineering John Staves


“We don’t just respond to failure we help clients understand the warning signs and avoid future risk,” says 

John Staves CEng FIStructE, Managing Director


The Problem That Needed a New Solution

Our approach to problem-solving was put to the test with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) a material now known to pose serious safety risks in thousands of UK schools, hospitals, housing blocks, and public buildings.

While the usual fix has been demolition and costly rebuilds, we believed there had to be a better way.

RAAC Fix

John led the engineering design of the UK’s first in-situ structural repair solution for RAAC.

Instead of tearing down essential buildings, we engineered a solution to strengthen RAAC planks

This repair is:

  • Non-intrusive – no need to close or demolish the building
  • Cost-effective – saving millions in public money
  • Proven – independently verified, structurally certified, and already in use

As John explains:

“At a time when the UK is facing major infrastructure challenges, we’re proud to be delivering practical, innovative, and permanent solutions that protect both people and places.”

A Visit from Clive Jones MP

Our RAAC work has also caught the attention of local leaders.

clive jones MP

Image credit: Wokingham Today

Recently, we welcomed Clive Jones MP to our offices, where we shared our award-winning repair solution.

Clive was particularly interested in how our in-situ CFRP method avoids demolition, keeps essential buildings in use, and saves millions in public funds, all while ensuring safety.

He asked thoughtful questions about the technical process, the scale of the RAAC issue across the UK, and how innovation like this can support government priorities on infrastructure and sustainability.

John staves and Clive jones MP


We were encouraged by his offer to help raise awareness of our approach within government, showing that practical, cost-effective solutions to RAAC are not only possible but already here.


Why This Matters for the UK’s Built Environment

With over 30 years in the industry, we’ve learned three guiding principles:

  1. Preserve wherever possible
  2. Engineer with clarity
  3. Deliver with integrity

Whether it’s RAAC remediation, structural assessments, or advanced investigations, our approach is always about innovation without disruption.

As the UK’s infrastructure continues to age, we’re proving that engineering can be both technically brilliant and people-focused solving problems in ways that create safety, sustainability, and value for the long term.

About Michael Aubrey Structural Engineers
Founded over 30 years ago, Michael Aubrey Structural Engineers is a UK-based consultancy specialising in complex structural challenges. We work with commercial clients, developers, education trusts, public bodies, and asset managers across the UK, delivering solutions with integrity, clarity, and innovation.

Need structural advice? Call us on 0118 962 9666


Not just a service, it’s how we think.

Before we put pen to paper or open a REVIT file, we do something different: we investigate.

The Structural Detective™ is our method, a calm, curious, forensic approach to understanding existing buildings before any design decisions are made. It’s not an add-on. It’s built into the way we work.

We start by asking:

What’s going on here? What’s this building trying to tell us?

Whether it’s a visible crack, a planned change of use, or a complex refurbishment, we look beneath the surface. We question assumptions, trace the building’s history, and gather evidence that reveals how the structure really works and why it might not be.

Why Our Method Matters

Too often, structural advice is based on guesswork, outdated drawings, or quick site visits.

That’s not how we work.

By taking the time to properly investigate your building, we can:

  • Spot issues early before they become expensive mistakes
  • Design smarter solutions that fit the reality on site
  • Give you advice you can trust based on evidence, not assumptions

What Being The Structural Detective™ Means

Every building has a backstory.
Before we make any structural recommendation, we aim to understand:

  • How it was built
  • How it’s changed over time
  • What it’s telling us through signs like cracks, movement, or materials

Our investigations might include:

  • Reviewing old drawings or records
  • Visual inspections and monitoring
  • Careful intrusive works to expose foundations, wall build-ups, or hidden defects

Once we’ve built the full picture, then we recommend action

Who We Help

  • Building Owners – Understand the true condition of your property before committing to costly works
  • Developers – De-risk projects by uncovering structural constraints early
  • Property Managers – Maintain safe, compliant buildings with informed planning

Experience You Can Trust

Being a Structural Detective takes more than a toolbox it takes experience, technical judgement, and a sharp eye for detail.

  • Our engineers are qualified, experienced, and specialised in existing buildings
  • We’ve carried out thousands of investigations across schools, offices, homes, and heritage sites
  • We bring confidence, clarity, and credibility from day one

Services We Offer

  • Structural Investigations
  • Defect Diagnosis (cracks, movement, subsidence)
  • Maintenance & Refurbishment Advice
  • Foundation & Load Assessments

Start with Understanding

If you’re working with an existing building, don’t jump straight to solutions.

Start with understanding.

That’s what The Structural Detective™ is all about.

Record Information: The Answers You Need Are Often Buried In The Building’s History

Every building has a story.

In commercial projects, whether it’s fitting out a new space, planning an extension, or repurposing an old site missing information can quickly turn into a major headache.

Structural issues rarely appear out of nowhere. Cracks, sags, and unexpected quirks usually have roots buried in the building’s history.

That’s why record information is so important. Drawings, surveys, repair records, planning applications, they’re not just paperwork. They’re the clues that help us understand what’s really going on behind the walls and beneath the floors.

When those clues are missing or incomplete, we’re left to guess. And guessing in commercial projects can be risky and expensive.

no record information

Starting with the Facts

That’s why we always start by investigating what’s already there. If the record information is complete and up to date, we can design with confidence. But if the information isn’t available, or if it’s clearly incomplete we’ll suggest doing some intrusive investigations:

  • Opening up walls to check if there’s hidden steelwork
  • Drilling through floors to confirm slab thickness
  • Digging around foundations to see what’s really supporting the building

These investigations aren’t cheap, but they’re a lot cheaper than dealing with surprises halfway through construction.

Managing Risk

Some clients are understandably reluctant to pay for these extra investigations. After all, no one likes the idea of extra work or added cost. But it all comes down to risk.

We can design based on assumptions if needed, but that approach can end up costing a lot more in the long run.

For example, one office conversion ran into huge costs when it turned out the lightweight concrete floors couldn’t support the HVAC system. In another case, a warehouse extension had to be underpinned mid-build when shallow foundations were discovered too late.

Honesty About Priorities

We always ask clients what matters most: is it time, money, or certainty? Because knowing that helps us tailor our approach and give best advice.

Some clients want to get on site as soon as possible and don’t mind taking a calculated risk. Others would rather pay for thorough investigations up front to avoid nasty surprises later.

Whatever the answer, it’s always about managing risk. The more we know about the building before work begins, the smoother the project will be and the better we can protect your budget, timeline, and reputation.

So before you build, let’s find out what’s really there. Because the better we understand your building’s story, the more efficient the design can be, there’ll be fewer surprises and the project will be more successful.