About LoadBearing
The definitive source for structural engineering journalism. Independent, rigorous, and built for the professionals who shape our world.
Engineering Better Understanding
LoadBearing exists to bridge the gap between structural engineering practice and the broader world. We believe that the decisions made by structural engineers affect every person who walks into a building, crosses a bridge, or shelters from a storm. Our mission is to provide the most accurate, accessible, and actionable journalism in the structural engineering space — empowering professionals to make better decisions and helping the public understand the invisible forces that hold our world together.
Our Journey
The First Dispatch
LoadBearing launched as a weekly email newsletter with 240 subscribers, founded by Dr. Sarah Chen from her flat in Bermondsey. The first edition covered the Morandi Bridge collapse investigation findings.
Website Launch
With subscriber numbers passing 5,000, we launched loadbearing.co.uk as a full editorial platform. Our coverage of pandemic-era construction safety protocols reached over 200,000 readers in its first month.
Editorial Team Expansion
James Okafor and Dr. Maria Santos joined as Deputy Editor and Technical Director respectively. We expanded to a team of 12 and opened a permanent newsroom on Blackfriars Road, London.
International Bureau
Opened our first international bureau in Singapore, extending coverage across the Asia-Pacific region. Launched the LoadBearing Research Digest in partnership with ICE Publishing.
One Million Readers
Monthly readership surpassed one million unique visitors. Won the British Society of Magazine Editors Award for Best Specialist Digital Publication.
The Next Chapter
Launched the LoadBearing Pro subscription tier and expanded our contributor network to 48 specialist writers across 22 countries. Readership now exceeds 2.4 million monthly visitors.
Editorial Values
Accuracy
Every technical claim is verified by at least two independent sources. We employ practising chartered engineers as fact-checkers on every article we publish.
Independence
Our editorial decisions are never influenced by advertisers, sponsors, or commercial partnerships. We maintain a strict separation between commercial and editorial operations.
Innovation
We pioneer new forms of engineering storytelling — from interactive structural diagrams to AR-enabled project walkthroughs — to make complex systems intuitive.
Community
We are built by and for the structural engineering community. Our editorial board includes practising engineers, academics, and policy specialists from six continents.