Structural steel design awards

The objective of the Structural Steel Design Awards is to celebrate the excellence of the United Kingdom in the field of steel construction, particularly demonstrating its potential in terms of efficiency, cost effectiveness, aesthetics, sustainability and innovation.

Each year the awards scheme attracts many excellent entries from widely ranging projects. Successful projects are expected to have a minimum threshold of excellence in architectural and engineering terms and to be cost effective. Each year’s entries reflect the increasingly high standards that are being achieved, not only in design and all aspects of fabrication, but also in short construction programmes and accuracy on site.

2018 saw the 50^th Structural Steel Design Awards jointly sponsored by BCSA and Trimble Solutions (UK) Ltd. To mark the occasion, BCSA gathered together details of all the previous Award-winning projects and presented them as a montage of images here. Clicking on the project name below each image reveals further project details, images and the judges’ comments.

The Structural Steel Design Awards

with contributions from:

Sarah McCann-Bartlett, Director General, BCSA
David Lazenby CBE, now former Chair of the Judging Panel
Professor Roger Plank, ex-Sheffield University, member of the Judging Panel
Bill Taylor, Partner, Robin Snell and Partners, member of the Judging Panel
Ivor Roberts, now Past President, BCSA

[top]Operation of the awards

The Awards are open to steel based structures situated in the United Kingdom or overseas that have been built by UK or Irish steelwork contractors. They must have been completed and be ready for occupation or use during the two calendar years immediately preceeding the year for which the projects are submitted for the awards.

Previous entries are not eligible.

[top]Judging criteria

SSDA Logo

The judging panel selects award winners after assessing all entries against two key criteria: planning and architecture, and structural engineering.

[top]Planning and Architecture

Satisfaction of client’s brief, particularly cost effectiveness
Environmental impact
Architectural excellence
Durability
Adaptability for changing requirements through its life
Efficiency of the use and provision of services
Conservation of energy

[top]Structural Engineering

Benefits achieved by using steel construction
Efficiency of design, fabrication and erection
Skill and workmanship
Integration of structure and services to meet architectural requirements
Efficiency and effectiveness of fire and corrosion protection
Innovation of design, build and manufacturing technique

[top]How to enter

For details of how to enter and more information on the judging process, please download an entry form.

Why enter?
If your project is shortlisted, your company would have the kudos of being part of a prestigious Awards scheme - one with a long history, focused solely on steel construction and the only one where expert judges visit every shortlisted project to truly appreciate its qualities. In addition, you’ll receive:

Free publicity for you, your project and your client, both online and in the construction press.
Free attendance at a major Awards event in central London for your project team.
Recognition of excellence for your project, be it large or small.

How to succeed?
Plan ahead and involve the whole project team from the outset in preparing a high-quality submission, don’t leave it to the last minute. Read the entry criteria and particularly the ‘Submission Material’ section on the entry form and provide exactly what is required, nothing more, nothing less. In addition:

High quality photos will portray your project at its best.
A well written, flowing description of the context, concept design, outstanding features and key construction details will allow the judges to swiftly appreciate the essence of your project.
Broad representation from all parties at the judges’ visit will demonstrate collaboration and enthusiasm.

[top]Structural steel design awards 2022 - Shortlist

The shortlist for the 54th Structural Steel Design Awards (SSDA), jointly sponsored by BCSA and Trimble Solutions (UK) Ltd, has been announced.

The Awards have again seen a strong number of submissions with the 21 shortlisted projects showcasing steel’s sustainability credentials, flexibility and versatility in a number of different and varying applications.

The shortlist also reflects the wide geographical spread of steel’s appeal for a variety of projects ranging from industrial and education buildings to retail and residential buildings, with entries also received for a variety of bridges, commercial developments and leisure facilities across the UK.

The winners will be announced at an evening reception in London on 29 September.

1 Triton Square, London

Architect – Arup Associates
Structural engineer – Arup
Steelwork contractor – William Hare
Main contractor – Lendlease
Client – British Land
Abbey-Chesterton Bridge-1.JPG

Abbey-Chesterton Bridge, Cambridge

Architect – Knight Architects
Structural engineer – Milestone Infrastructure
Steelwork contractor – S H Structures Ltd
Main contractor – Tarmac
Client – Cambridgeshire County Council
Assembly Bristol, Building A

Architect – Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
Structural engineer – Arup
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – Galliford Try
Client – Bell Hammer
Bloom Clerkenwell-1.JPG

Bloom Clerkenwell, London

Architect – John Robertson Architects Ltd
Structural engineer – Buro Happold
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – HB Reavis UK Ltd
Client – HB Reavis UK Ltd
Bombardier Maintenance Hangar, Biggin Hill

Architect – Civils Contracting Ltd
Structural engineer – REIDsteel
Steelwork contractor – REIDsteel
Main contractor – Civils Contracting Ltd
Client – Biggin Hill Airport Development Ltd
Central Atrium at Hilltop, RHS Wisley

Architect – WilkinsonEyre
Structural engineer – Michael Barclay Partnership LLP
Steelwork contractor – Hillcrest Structural Ltd
Main contractor – Osborne Ltd
Client – Royal Horticultural Society
Edinburgh-St James-1.jpg

Edinburgh St James

Architect – BDP
Structural engineer – Arup
Steelwork contractor – BHC Ltd
Main contractor – Laing O'Rourke
Client – Nuveen
Esperance Bridge, Kings Cross

Architect – Moxon Architects
Structural engineer – Arup
Steelwork contractor – S H Structures Ltd
Main contractor – Galldris
Client – Argent
Fire Station Auditorium, Sunderland

Architects – Flanagan Lawrence, Howarth Litchfield
Structural engineer – JC Consulting
Main contractor – Brims Construction Ltd
Client – The Sunderland Music, Arts & Culture Trust
Houlton School, Rugby

Architect – Van Heyningen and Haward Architects
Structural engineer – Price & Myers
Steelwork contractor (new blocks) – Mifflin Construction Ltd
Main contractor – Morgan Sindall Construction
Client – Urban&Civic plc
Hydro Ness, Inverness

Architect – Leslie Hutt Architect
Structural engineer – Hasson Engineering Solutions
Steelwork contractor – M.Hasson and Sons Ltd
Main contractors – Bradley and Company, Hydro NI
Client – Highland Council
Joules Head Office-1.jpg

Joules Head Office, Market Harborough

Architect – Edge Architects Ltd
Structural engineer – Cundall
Main contractor – Bailey Construction Ltd
Client – Joules Group
LCT 7074 Canopy, The D-Day Story, Portsmouth

Architect – Pritchard Architecture
Structural engineer – Mann Williams
Steelwork contractor – Hillcrest Structural Ltd
Main contractor – Ascia Construction Ltd
Clients – The National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth City Council
Lord's Cricket Ground, Compton & Edrich Stands Redevelopment

Architect – WilkinsonEyre
Structural engineer – Buro Happold
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – ISG Construction
Client – Marylebone Cricket Club
One Braham, London

Architect – WilkinsonEyre
Structural engineer – Arup
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – McLaughlin & Harvey
Client – Aldgate Developments
One Crown Place, London

Architect – KPF
Structural engineer – AKT II
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – Mace
Client – AlloyMtd
Pace Gallery, Hanover Square, London

Architect – Jamie Fobert Architects
Structural engineer – Price & Myers
Main contractor – QOB Interiors
Client – Pace Gallery
The Glass Works-1.JPEG

The Glass Works, Barnsley

Architect – IBI Group
Structural engineer – Adept Civil and Structural Consulting Engineers
Steelwork contractor – Billington Structures Ltd
Main contractor – Henry Boot Construction Ltd
Client – Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

22 Bishopsgate London-1.jpg

22 Bishopsgate, London

Architect – PLP Architecture
Structural engineer – WSP
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – Multiplex
Client – Lipton Rogers Developments
Britannia Leisure Centre-1.jpg

Britannia Leisure Centre, Hackney

Architect – Faulknerbowns Architects
Structural engineer – Buro Happold
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – Morgan Sindall Construction
Client – Hackney Council
Tower of Light-1a.jpg

Tower of Light, Manchester

Architect – Tonkin Liu
Structural engineer – Arup
Main contractor – Vital Energi
Client – Manchester City Council

[top]Structural steel design awards 2021

Full details of the 2021 award winning projects, the judging panel and the other finalists are available in a special SSDA 2021 brochure produced by the BCSA and Trimble Solutions (UK) Ltd in association with Kovic Design Limited.

[top]Awards

[top]Commendations

[top]Merits

[top]Structural steel design awards 2020

Full details of the 2020 award winning projects, the judging panel and the other finalists are available in a special SSDA 2020 brochure produced by the BCSA and Trimble Solutions (UK) Ltd in association with Kovic Design Limited.