Why us? 

Structural Assembly’s approach to projects is different other engineering practices. We do more than provide a technical justification to an Architect’s design and we are unapologetic about it. Comprehensive We like to work with clients and architects that are collaborative and wish to intelligently engineer proposals that achieve the client’s aspirations whilst mitigating risk, cost, embodied carbon, and waste.

Approach

When working on existing buildings we think about them in a similar way to which a medical doctor does about a patient prior to an operation. We want to understand the building’s structural form, how it was originally put together, how it has been adapted since, and its existing condition before we proceed with designing alterations and repairs. This includes reviewing the sites overall history.

This additional step helps us provide structural engineering advice, at an early stage of the project, on possible opportunities for the building and/or site. When working on existing buildings this helps us steer the project to limit the need for invasive and expensive structural alterations. When working on repairs to structural defects in existing buildings, this fact-finding process allows us to advise on how to address the cause of the defect and not just the symptoms.

Communication

When it comes to preparing drawings and reports to communicate our designs and advice, we are very aware that this information is not just for other engineers to read, it is for clients, builders and architects. The accessibility and clarity of our information is something that we pride ourselves on. Simple steps, such as using colour on our drawings, help the reader intuitively understand what they are looking at before even reading the notes. Clear information helps reduce the risk of misinterpretation and confusion that could otherwise lead to delays and extra costs.

Our team

As a team we bring over 20 years of experience working on historic buildings. Our team includes members of both the Institute of Structural Engineer’s History Group and the International Council on Monuments and Sites UK Wood Committee. We are also members of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

Robert Walton

Founder

Samuel Bourne Orme

Founder