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Stay up to date with the latest news and insights from Abacus CDS. Explore structural engineering updates, project highlights, and industry trends.

Showcased Articles

Canary Wharf, London

The High-Rise Headache: Navigating Façade Structural Risks in London’s Growth Zones

For a London contractor, the building envelope is often the most complex element of the programme. Whether you are navigating the micro-climates of Canary Wharf or the heritage interfaces of The City, the gap between the primary structure and the external skin has become a high-risk zone.

Construction site London

The Biggest Challenges Facing Construction Projects in 2026 for London Developers

As we move into 2026, conversations with developers, main contractors and architects across London and the South East reveal a clear shift in the pressures facing construction projects. While the industry has always operated under tight constraints, the challenges in 2026 feel fundamentally different. They are no longer isolated issues, but the result of programme pressure, regulatory demands, sustainability targets and technical complexity colliding on live sites.

Mitigating Façade Risk: Why Early Structural Design Review Saves Contractors Time and Liability

Mitigating Façade Risk: Why Early Structural Design Review Saves Contractors Time and Liability

For construction contractors operating in the competitive, high-stakes environment of London, project success hinges on two things: efficiency and mitigating risk. The façade, as the most visible and heavily scrutinised element of any structure, is often the single biggest source of delays, defects, and post-completion liability.

Autumn 2025

Autumn Newsletter 2025

It's been a busy year and we have continued to evolve, expand, and collaborate across our companies. From new office locations to growing teams and exciting educational initiatives, we’ve had a busy and rewarding autumn season. Here’s a look at what’s been happening across JMS Engineers, GC Robertson, MJ Consulting Engineers, and our wider group.

Heritage Façades in Westminster - From Conservation to Compliance

Westminster is home to some of London’s most recognisable buildings, with over 11,000 listed structures and 56 conservation areas shaping how projects are designed and delivered. For developers and contractors, this makes façade engineering in Westminster both an opportunity and a challenge.

London, UK

Engineering Façades in Greater London: Innovations Reach Romford, Chelmsford, and Beyond

London’s skyline may dominate the headlines, but façade engineering is not just reserved for the City or Canary Wharf. Increasingly, cutting-edge façade solutions are shaping developments across Greater London and surrounding towns such as Romford, Dagenham, and Chelmsford. For contractors and developers, this shift presents new opportunities - and new challenges - as high-quality façades become the standard in every corner of the capital’s growth.

Grenfell

Cladding Remediation and Retrofits in Post-Grenfell Britain: A Structural Engineering Perspective

Across the UK, particularly in major cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham, the cladding crisis continues to reshape the built environment. In the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, over 11,000 buildings above 11 metres have been identified as potentially requiring cladding remediation. While fire safety rightly takes centre stage, structural engineering plays a vital - often overlooked - role in ensuring these retrofits are not only safe, but viable.

Construction London

Supporting London's Housing Developers: Abacus CDS's Role in Meeting Urban Demand

With London’s population continuing to grow, the demand for new housing has never been higher. From affordable flats to mixed-use developments, the city needs homes that are safe, efficient, and delivered without delay.

london value engineering

Value Engineering in London's Construction Projects: Balancing Cost and Quality

In a city as fast-moving and high-cost as London, getting value from every construction decision is critical. That’s where value engineering comes in - offering a structured approach to improving function, reducing cost, and maintaining performance across a wide range of projects.

Temporary Works Design: Ensuring Safety in London's Urban Redevelopments

As London continues to transform through regeneration and redevelopment, temporary works design plays a vital role in ensuring safety and buildability across complex construction projects. From landmark sports centres to inner-city infrastructure upgrades, developers and contractors rely on robust temporary works to keep structures stable and people safe during construction. Without well-planned and well-executed temporary works, even the most impressive project can face unnecessary delays...

Navigating the Building Safety Act: A Guide for London Developers and Contractors

The Building Safety Act 2022 marks one of the most significant shifts in construction legislation in decades - especially for developers and contractors working on higher-risk buildings in London.

Passivhaus

The Rise of Passivhaus in London: What It Means for Façade and Structural Design

In a city as dynamic - and expensive - as London, energy efficiency is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity. That’s why Passivhaus, the gold standard for low-energy building design, is gaining serious traction across the capital. But Passivhaus isn’t just about better windows or thicker insulation. It’s reshaping how structural and façade engineers approach design from the outset. So, what does this shift mean for developers, contractors, and the built environment in London?

Why Façade Engineering Matters More Than Ever in London

Why Façade Engineering Matters More Than Ever in London

London is a city that builds with ambition. Towering glass envelopes, complex geometry, and cladding systems that do more than just look good – they're the architectural statement of our time. But if you think the magic stops with the architect’s sketch, you’d be wrong. Welcome to the world of façade engineering: where bold design ideas either fly or fall apart.

Excavation Support in London: Keeping the City’s Foundations Secure

Excavation Support in London: Keeping the City’s Foundations Secure

London’s ever-evolving skyline and intricate underground infrastructure demand expert excavation support to ensure stability and safety. Whe

The Engineering Behind Shoring & Propping in Temporary Works

The Engineering Behind Shoring & Propping in Temporary Works

In the fast-paced world of construction, temporary works play a crucial role in ensuring stability, safety, and efficiency. Among the most..

Connecting Façade Systems with Primary Structures

Connecting Façade Systems with Primary Structures

The successful integration of façade systems with a building’s primary structure is a crucial yet complex aspect of modern construction...

Beyond Aesthetics: The Engineering Behind Modern Façades

Beyond Aesthetics: The Engineering Behind Modern Façades

A building's façade is more than just a visually striking element; it is a crucial component that defines its structural integrity...

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