As the Director responsible for technical excellence across the studio, Mike ensures that all work meets the highest standards of deliverability, buildability, and regulatory compliance. With deep expertise in CDM regulations and the Building Safety Act, he plays a critical role in guiding both clients and consultants through the evolving risk landscape of construction and design.
Acting as Principal Designer, Mike provides strategic oversight from project inception through to completion, embedding safety, responsibility, and foresight into every stage of the design process. His rigorous approach helps de-risk complex schemes while supporting creative ambition, ensuring that both statutory obligations and client goals are fully aligned.
Known for a calm, authoritative presence and a deep understanding of technical detail, Mike is a trusted leader in delivering robust, compliant, and future-proof projects.
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With over 30 years of experience in the UK and internationally, Mike Oades founded Atomik Architecture following senior roles at some of the industry’s most respected practices, including Foster & Partners, Aedas, and Ushida Findlay. His portfolio spans a diverse range of building typologies and project scales, from cultural installations to landmark commercial developments.
Raised on his parents’ holiday camp on the Lincolnshire coast, Mike developed an early fascination with the temporary, nostalgic, and narrative-driven-threads that continue to inform his work today. Two formative years in post-reunification Berlin exposed him to a broader, more integrated role of the architect, deepening his understanding of the entire building process and influencing his approach to practice.
Fluent across all stages of design and delivery, Mike’s career highlights include the Stirling Prize-shortlisted McLaren Formula One HQ, the award-winning Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi, and the installation ‘It’s not who you are, it’s how you are’ at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art.
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Alongside Atomik, Mike is on the RIBA Principal Designers Register, Chair of RIBA East London Architects Group and a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects.
