People · Podcast guest
Chris Atkins
Managing Director · Symmetrys
Founder and Managing Director of Symmetrys, structural and civil engineers in London.
- Current role
- Managing Director
- Practice
- Symmetrys
- Location
- London
- On the podcast
- 1 episode · 2024
The story so far
The path behind Chris's work.
Chris Atkins is the founder and Managing Director of Symmetrys, the structural and civil engineering practice he established in 2006. A chartered structural engineer (CEng MIStructE), he has worked in the profession since 1986, with earlier experience across South East Asia, the Middle East and the UK at firms including Ove Arup, Hyder, Bechtel and Dewhurst Macfarlane.
At Symmetrys he has built a practice known for considerate, responsible design and a strong sustainability agenda, from low carbon structural design to the FerrousWheel steel reuse tool developed with London South Bank University. He values long term relationships across the built environment and a workplace where the team has a genuine voice, reflected in the practice's move to employee ownership.
Episode 0197 · Architecture Social · 32:34
Ahead of the Curve: Engineering a Greener Tomorrow, ft. Chris Atkins from Symmetrys
Good engineering is central to sustainable architecture. It shapes how buildings stand up, how teams collaborate and how design decisions perform over time.
Inside the conversation
6 moments to start with- 01
00:00 · Introduction to engineering and greener buildings
- 02
05:00 · Chris Atkins' early career and international experience
- 03
10:00 · What structural and civil engineers bring to the design team
- 04
15:00 · Symmetrys projects, awards and the Ferris wheel discussion
- 05
20:00 · Sustainability, collaboration and sharing knowledge
- 06
25:00 · AI, report writing and how engineering tools may change
Profile in brief
The work and context behind Chris's conversation.
- Current role
- Managing Director
- Practice
- Symmetrys
- Location
- London
Continue exploring
Meet the practice behind the work.
Symmetrys is a north London structural and civil engineering practice focused on low carbon design, steel reuse and considerate structures.
- Greater London
- Residential
- Commercial
- Hospitality
Podcast · moments that play
Start where the idea starts.
- 05:00Chris Atkins · Audio onlyListen from 05:00 in the full episode.
Chris Atkins' early career and international experience
- 10:00Chris Atkins · Audio onlyListen from 10:00 in the full episode.
What structural and civil engineers bring to the design team
- 15:00Chris Atkins · Audio onlyListen from 15:00 in the full episode.
Symmetrys projects, awards and the Ferris wheel discussion
- 20:00Chris Atkins · Audio onlyListen from 20:00 in the full episode.
Sustainability, collaboration and sharing knowledge
- 25:00Chris Atkins · Audio onlyListen from 25:00 in the full episode.
AI, report writing and how engineering tools may change
- 30:00Chris Atkins · Audio onlyListen from 30:00 in the full episode.
Practice life, software shifts and closing reflections
Selected work from Symmetrys
Three projects, one connected practice.
A closer look at the practice’s work
Roots in the Sky
An unbuilt Southwark workplace proposal retaining a 1960s structure beneath a hybrid steel and CLT frame and rooftop urban forest.
View project →Great Suffolk Street
A sensitive refurbishment of a Grade II-listed Southwark warehouse using reclaimed steel from a demolished Broadgate building.
View project →Hampstead Mansion Block
Structural and civil engineering for a six-storey later-living apartment building above two basement levels in Hampstead.
View project →