British Constructional Steelwork Association
2021 STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The Structural Steel Design Awards have recognised and rewarded many of the best examples of ambition and innovation in our built environment. Now celebrating their 53rd year, the 2021 Awards, jointly sponsored by the British Constructional Steelwork Association and Trimble Solutions (UK) Ltd, continue that great tradition. This year’s collection of entries once again demonstrates the excellence achievable with the use of steel, as well as structural and architectural design.
The Judges selected the Award-winning entries from a shortlist of 20, all of which scored highly in terms of sustainability, cost-effectiveness, aesthetics and innovation.
The four projects receiving Awards this year were announced at a presentation evening held at Christ Church Spitalfields Venue, London yesterday (Tuesday 28th September). They include:
100 Liverpool Street, London
Hams Way Footbridge
Glasgow Queen Street Station
Pooley New Bridge
The Judges were once again impressed by the remarkably high standard of entries and thought all the shortlisted projects showed merit.
Chairman of the Judges, Chris Nash said “The SSDA judging process was this year again constrained by restrictions due to COVID-19 precautions, so we had to examine the entries online rather than ‘in the flesh’, and understand the shortlisted projects remotely within the constraints of ‘MS Teams’ meetings, with entries presented by the project teams.”
He went on to say “This year there was a wide range of types of projects entered for the scheme. Scales of entry range from the largest prestige city office buildings to beautiful road bridges. The judges were particularly interested in projects that reflected a re-use of existing structures, and this year the commitment to examining the real impact of construction on carbon use by deep analysis by some practitioners was impressive and welcome.
The awards, commendations, merits and national finalists rewarded by the scheme reflect the achievements of the current steel construction industry. Everyone involved should be proud of what has been achieved. I believe that, notwithstanding the difficulties encountered this year, the Structural Steel Design Awards still reflect the quality of the achievement and look forward to a return to normal operations next year”.
Commendations were awarded to seven projects: 100 Bishopsgate, London, Brentford Community Stadium, 80 Charlotte Street, London, Murdoch's Connection, 60 London Wall, Leicester City FC Training Ground and The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Merits were awarded to four further projects: Heron Quay Pavilion, The Hickman, Brundholme and Low Pearson Bridges and Wenlock Works.
The 2021 Award Winners are:
100 Liverpool Street, London
Architect: Hopkins Architects
Structural engineer: AKT II
Steelwork contractor: William Hare Ltd
Main contractor: Sir Robert McAlpine
Client: British Land
Judges’ comments:
The re-working of two 80’s office buildings cleverly presents itself as a ‘new’ building. On an extremely constrained site, built over a main access into Liverpool Street station, the team have added floors and reworked the existing steel structure to create an elegant new City office with high sustainability credentials.
Hams Way Footbridge
Architect: Moxon Architects
Structural engineer: COWI
Steelwork contractor: S H Structures Ltd
Main contractor: Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd
Client: Worcestershire County Council
Judges’ comments:
An excellent example of how inspired architectural details can create a ‘statement’ bridge. Simply rotating the square cords through 45 degrees has produced a dramatic shadow line. This, coupled with clever detailing at the supports, gives a pleasing slender floating expression to the bridge. Installation of the main span in just two hours minimised disruption to the busy junction below.
Glasgow Queen Street Station
Architects: BDP and IDP
Structural engineer: Arup
Main contractor: Balfour Beatty
Client: Network Rail
Judges’ comments:
Providing a 90% increase in passenger capacity this major redevelopment above the low-level platforms was completed whilst the station remained fully functional. It has transformed a drab, unpopular station into one which restores the Victorian train shed and provides an impressive contemporary frontage onto Glasgow’s principal square. An exceptional achievement.
Pooley New Bridge
Architect: Knight Architects
Structural engineer: GHD
Main contractor: Eric Wright Civil Engineering
Client: Cumbria County Council
Judges’ comments:
Ingenuity, innovation and beauty combine in this remarkable replacement for the Grade-II listed stone bridge swept away by floods in 2015. The UK’s first structural stainless steel road bridge, the solution utilises expertly fabricated high strength low nickel alloys to achieve a low maintenance and highly efficient structure. Striking contemporary design in the heart of the National Park.
For further information on the SSDA Awards, winning projects and those projects awarded commendations and merits, please call: Chris Dolling at the BCSA on
T: +44 (0) 20 7747 8133
E: chris.dolling@steelconstruction.org
Editor’s Notes:
1.The Structural Steel Design Awards
The scheme, introduced in 1969, recognises the high standards of structural and architectural design attainable in the use of steel and its potential in terms of sustainability, cost-effectiveness, aesthetics and innovation.
The Awards promote the innovative use of steel by rewarding outstanding projects to stand as an example to others. The Awards are run annually and are open to structural steelwork projects both in the UK and overseas, which employed a UK or Irish steelwork contractor in their construction. Projects must have been completed in the two years prior to the year of entry. The independent judging panel for the SSDA comprises representatives from the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Royal Institute of British Architects
2.SSDA Judges
ØChris Nash BA (Hons) DipArch RIBA FRSA - Chairman of the Panel
Representing the Royal Institute of British Architects
ØRichard Barrett MA(Cantab)
Representing the Steelwork Contracting industry
ØPaul Hulme BEng(Hons) CEng FICE
Representing the Institution of Civil Engineers
ØSarah Pellereau MEng CEng MIStructE
Representing the Institution of Structural Engineers
ØProfessor Roger Plank PhD BSc CEng FIStructE MICE
Representing the Institution of Structural Engineers
ØBill Taylor BA (Hons) DipArch MA RIBA FRSA
Representing the Royal Institute of British Architects
ØOliver Tyler BA (Hons) DipArch RIBA
Representing the Royal Institute of British Architects
3.About BCSA
The British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) has been representing the UK constructional steelwork sector for over a century. It is a focal point at a local, national and international level for the constructional steelwork sector. Acting as the sector’s representative body it drives forward the sector’s priorities to the wider construction industry. Its principal objectives are to;
Promote the use of structural steelwork in the UK and Ireland
Demonstrate the capabilities and expertise of its members
Support its members with professional services and advice.
Represent its members interests to Government and the wider construction sector.
BCSA represents:
Steelwork Contractors: Who undertake the design, fabrication and erection of steelwork for all forms of construction in building and civil engineering.
Industry Members: Who support steelwork contractors through the direct supply of components, materials or products.
Corporate Members: Who are clients, professional offices, educational establishments that support overall industry efficiency and good practice.
For further information please visit www.steelconstruction.org
4.About Trimble Solutions (UK) Ltd
Trimble is transforming the way the world works by delivering products and services that connect the physical and digital worlds. Core technologies in positioning, modeling, connectivity and data analytics enable customers to improve productivity, quality, safety and sustainability. From purpose-built products to enterprise lifecycle solutions, Trimble software, hardware and services are transforming a broad range of industries such as agriculture, construction, geospatial and transportation and logistics.
Tekla software solutions for advanced BIM and structural engineering are produced by Trimble. Trimble’s construction offering ranges from total stations to advanced software, giving the industry tools to transform planning, design, construction and operation of buildings. Tekla software is at the heart of the design and construction workflow, building on the free flow of information, constructible models and collaboration. Information on Tekla software can be found at www.tekla.com/uk
Press contact: Marian Thomasson, UK Marketing Manager
T: +44 (0)113 887 9790
E: marian.thomasson@trimble.com
back to British Constructional Steelwork Association
