Structural Steel Design Awards 2023

Battersea Power Station, London

Architect – WilkinsonEyre
 Structural engineer – Buro Happold
 Principal Structural Steelwork Contractor – William Hare
 Architectural Structural Steelwork Contractor – CMF Ltd
 Main contractor – Mace
 Client – Battersea Power Station Development Company

The Judges’ comment: “The iconic Art Deco Battersea Power Station has been meticulously transformed into a contemporary mixed-use destination. The newly revealed steel structures reflect its industrial legacy, seamlessly integrating with the building’s aesthetics. From robust steel tree columns supporting heavy loads to intricate tensile restraint frames and footbridges, every element exudes an elegant touch, showcasing a harmonious blend of design and functionality.”

Copr Bay Bridge, Swansea

Architect – ACME
Structural engineer – Ney & Partners
Steelwork contractor – S H Structures Ltd
 Client – City & County of Swansea

The Judges’ comment: “The Copr Bay Bridge provides a dramatic new gateway to Swansea, with its striking form and colour acknowledging the Bay’s history as a centre of coal and copper production. Of particular note are the innovative stressed skin design and the quality of the manufacturing which have resulted in an exemplary project.”

One Centenary Way, Birmingham

Architect – Glenn Howells Architects
 Structural engineer – Ramboll
 Steelwork contractor – BHC Ltd
 Main contractor – Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd
Client – MEPC

The Judges’ comment: “This elegant, exposed steel structure springs off a system of trusses spanning a busy road tunnel. Despite depths of over 6m and the biggest weighing 130t, the trusses were transported to site and installed fully assembled. The result is a high-quality office building with excellent sustainability credentials which has helped transform this area into a pedestrian friendly campus.”

Stockingfield Bridge, Glasgow

Structural engineer – Jacobs
Steelwork contractor – S H Structures Ltd
Main contractor – Balfour Beatty
Client – Scottish Canals

The Judges’ comment: “A well-conceived, finely executed project providing significant practical and social value with new links between disconnected communities and much needed pedestrian and cycle routes across a canal and adjacent road. The project benefited from close collaborative teamwork and the vision of an excellent, motivated client, and has been visibly embraced by the surrounding community with ongoing art projects.”

HYLO, London

Architect – HCL Architects
 Structural engineer – AKT II
 Steelwork contractor – Bourne Group Ltd
 Main contractor – Mace
 Client – CIT Group

The Judges’ comment: “This exemplary transformation of an obsolete sixties concrete ‘monolith’ was made viable only by the ambition of the client, the skill of the team and the use of structural steel. Unrecognisable today and 13 floors taller, this now elegant and permeable building creates high-quality spaces both internally and externally in the surrounding neighbourhood.”

Download the SSDA 2023 Commemorative Brochure here

Tropical Fruit Warehouse, Dublin

Architect – Henry J Lyons
 Structural engineer – Torque Consulting Engineers
 Steelwork contractor – Steel & Roofing Systems
 Main contractor – P.J. Hegarty & Sons
 Client – IPUT Real Estate

The Judges’ comment: “A hugely imaginative scheme which revitalises a protected warehouse building. A substantial new five-storey office block at the back, and a two-storey office structure which appears to float above the heritage building. The scheme successfully creates a prestigious and substantial office on the River Liffey waterfront, whilst still preserving the original warehouse.”

Ed Sheeran Mathematics Tour

Architects – Mark Cunniffe Ltd and WonderWorks
 Structural engineer – Cundall
 Steelwork contractor – Stage One Creative Services Ltd
 Main contractor – Stage One Creative Services Ltd
 Client – 1325 Productions

The Outernet, London

Architect – Orms
 Structural engineer – Engenuiti
 Steelwork contractor – Severfield
 Main contractor – Skanska UK
 Client – Consolidated Developments Ltd

Clery's Quarter, Dublin

Architect – Henry J Lyons
 Structural engineer – Waterman Moylan
 Steelwork contractor – Kiernan Structural Steel Ltd
 Main contractor – Glenbrier Construction
 Client – Oakmount

The Judges’ comment: “This landmark building in the centre of Dublin was constructed in 1922. The architectural intent sought to repair and renew the original building, adding a sympathetic vertical extension, turning the former department store into high-quality mixed-use accommodation. A highly complex project involving strengthening of the existing concrete structure and adding three levels of steel framing above.”

SAS13 Bridge Replacement, Birmingham

Structural engineer – Tony Gee & Partners LLP
 Steelwork contractor – Severfield
 Main contractor – Skanska UK
 Client – Network Rail

The Judges’ comment: “Spanning 92m over a busy rail line this Warren truss bridge replaces 8 masonry arches with a single span. With careful planning, taking full advantage of lessons learned on earlier projects, the bridge was installed fully assembled with minimal line closures. Constructed in weathering steel it provides a handsome addition to the local environment.”

Montacute Yards, London

Architect – Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
 Structural engineer – Heyne Tillett Steel
 Main contractor – ISG Limited
 Client – Brockton Everlast

The Judges’ comment: “An ingenious backyard development on a severely constrained unpromising site which draws upon the industrial heritage of the area. The legibility of structure leaves one in no doubt that this is a steel building. Together, base building and fit out combine seamlessly to create a well-considered, flexible and attractive project.”

Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow

Sculptor – John McKenna Sculptor Ltd
 Structural engineer – Narro
 Main contractor – John McKenna Sculptor Ltd
 Client – Inverclyde Council

The Judges’ comment: “An impressive and well executed piece of public art, which has been many years in realisation since the initial competition win. The sculpture is formed from numerous small folded/shaped stainless steel ‘tiles’ fixed back to a steel tube subframe, shaped to create the large forms of two shipbuilders. The finished forms have been very carefully considered and are well crafted.”

New Riverside Stand at Fulham FC

Architect – Populous
 Structural engineer – WSP
 Steelwork contractor – Severfield
 Client – Fulham FC

The Judges’ comment: “Most notably the sizeable Fulham Riverfront Stand was constructed without interrupting football operations. Prefabricated and partially assembled on Tilbury Docks, the substantial components were then transported along the Thames to site for installation. This innovative approach ensured seamless progress and minimised disruptions, showcasing exemplary planning and execution.” 

Cody Dock Bridge, London

Architect – Thomas Randall-Page
 Structural engineer – Price & Myers
 Main contractor – Gasworks Dock Partnership
 Client – Gasworks Dock Partnership

The Judges’ comment: “This intriguing project was realised thanks to a dedicated team working closely together and applying painstaking analysis with “real time” adjustments as the bridge was being fabricated. This ensured a smooth operation on site with the tight tolerances required of a machine. A project which celebrates its own complexity and encourages the wider community to share the fun.”

Arbor, Bankside Yards, London

Architect - PLP Architecture
 Structural engineer - AKT II
 Steelwork contractor - Severfield
 Main contractor - Multiplex Construction Europe Limited
 Client - Native Land

The Judges’ comment: “Phase One of a major regeneration project, the scheme had to navigate its way around severe constraints arising from the adjacent railway and supporting viaduct. Clearly supported by a row of heroic ‘off black’ columns as one approaches the entrance, the building provides high-quality flexible spaces where the use of structural steel is always discernible.”

Church of Oak Distillery, Ballykelly, Co. Kildare

Architect - ODOS Architects
 Structural engineer - J. J. Campbell & Associates
 Steelwork contractor - Steel & Roofing Systems
 Main contractor - Ormonde Construction
 Client - Oakmount

The Judges’ comment: “The original 1930s distillery building façade has been retained, with new floors and roof added in steel to create a modern production complex. The new building is also a visitor attraction, with suspended first and second floors, and a glass floor providing excellent views of the whole distilling process.”

Dukes Meadows Footbridge, Chiswick

Architect - Moxon Architects
 Structural engineer - COWI (detailed design and construction engineering), Campbell Reith (concept design)
 Main contractor - Knights Brown Construction Ltd
 Client - London Borough of Hounslow

The Judges’ comment: “The bridge, featuring a Warren half through truss with a 35m main span, links two parts of the Thames Path around Dukes Hollow, navigating the narrow space between river floodwater level and the rail bridge. The main truss was carefully transported up the river and installed during a brief high spring tide, successfully placing the bridge in position.”

Farringdon Crossrail Station, East & West Ticket Halls

Architect - Aedas
 Structural engineer - AECOM
 Steelwork contractor - Bourne Group Ltd
 Main contractor - BAM Ferrovial Kier JV
 Client - TfL (Crossrail)

The Judges’ comment: “The interchange at the centre of the Elizabeth line requires two generous ticket halls built either side of the historic Smithfield market. Both have site-specific substantial steel frames to support large over-site office developments. The Farringdon hall features a diamond vaulted roof reflecting the local Hatton Garden jewellery quarter. The Barbican hall uses a coffered design, referencing modular brutalist construction.”

M8 Footbridge, Sighthill, Glasgow

Structural engineer - Jacobs
 Steelwork contractor - Severfield
 Main contractor - BAM Nuttall
 Client - Glasgow City Council

The Judges’ comment: “This weathering steel pedestrian and cycle bridge, integrated with heavily landscaped areas at either end, links a large new residential development to the north with routes to Glasgow city centre. The bridge was assembled on a tight site at the side of the M8 motorway, lifted into place and closing sections welded in-situ to provide its sculpted monocoque form.”

The JJ Mack Building, London

Architect - Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands
 Structural engineer - AKT II
 Steelwork contractor - William Hare
 Main contractor - Mace
 Client - Helical plc

The Judges’ comment: “This central London ten-storey office development features a steel structure which is integral to the building’s architectural expression while also newly activating the site’s streetscape with public retail and terraced amenity spaces overlooking the historic Smithfield Market buildings. Meticulous detailing, simple connections and recyclability for future retrofit and reuse are impressive.”

The National Robotarium, Edinburgh

Architect - Michael Laird Architects
 Structural engineer - Tetra Tech
 Steelwork contractor - BHC Ltd
 Main contractor - Robertson
 Client - Heriot-Watt University

The Judges’ comment: “The steel-framed building, with a double skin climatic southern façade, houses workshop, laboratories and teaching spaces configured around an elegant central atrium/gathering space. The exposed steel frame is evident throughout the various spaces of the building and is most distinctive in the diagonal arrangement of the roof beams and rooflights over the central double-height space.”