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
Environmental impact
Carbon measurement and reduction
Cost-effectiveness
Architectural excellence
Durability and adaptability for changing requirements
Efficiency of the use and provision of services

[top]Structural Engineering

Benefits achieved by using steel construction
Efficiency of design, fabrication and erection
Use of digital technology
Skill and workmanship
Integration of structure and services
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 2023 - Shortlist

The shortlist for the 55th Structural Steel Design Awards (SSDA), jointly sponsored by BCSA and Steel for Life, 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 28 September.

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
Church of Oak Distillery-1.jpg

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
Clery's Quarter, Dublin

Architect – Henry J Lyons
Structural engineer – Waterman Moylan
Steelwork contractor – Kiernan Structural Steel Ltd
Main contractor – Glenbrier Construction
Client – Oakmount
Cody Dock Bridge, London

Architect – Thomas Randall-Page
Structural engineer – Price & Myers
Main contractor – Gasworks Dock Partnership
Client – Gasworks Dock Partnership
Copr Bay Bridge, Swansea

Architect – ACME
Structural engineer – Ney & Partners
Steelwork contractor – S H Structures Ltd
Client – City & County of Swansea
Dukes Meadows Footbridge-1.jpg

Dukes Meadows Footbridge, Chiswick

Architect – Moxon Architects
Structural engineers – COWI (detailed design and construction engineering), Campbell Reith (concept design)
Main contractor – Knights Brown Construction Ltd
Client – London Borough of Hounslow
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
Farringdon EW Ticket Halls-1.jpg

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)
HYLO, London

Architect – HCL Architects
Structural engineer – AKT II
Steelwork contractor – Bourne Group Ltd
Main contractor – Mace
Client – CIT Group
M8 Footbridge Sighthill-1.jpg

M8 Footbridge, Sighthill, Glasgow

Structural engineer – Jacobs
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – BAM Nuttall
Client – Glasgow City Council
New Riverside Stand at Fulham FC

Architect – Populous
Structural engineer – WSP
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Client – Fulham FC
One Centenary Way, Birmingham

Architect – Glenn Howells Architects
Structural engineer – Ramboll
Steelwork contractor – BHC Ltd
Main contractor – Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd
Client – MEPC
SAS13 Bridge Replacement, Birmingham

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

Structural engineer – Jacobs
Steelwork contractor – S H Structures Ltd
Main contractor – Balfour Beatty
Client – Scottish Canals
JJ Mack Building-1.jpg

The JJ Mack Building, London

Architect – Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands
Structural engineer – AKT II
Steelwork contractor – William Hare
Main contractor – Mace
Client – Helical plc
National Robotarium-1a.jpg

The National Robotarium, Edinburgh

Architect – Michael Laird Architects
Structural engineer – Tetra Tech
Steelwork contractor – BHC Ltd
Main contractor – Robertson
Client – Heriot-Watt University
The Outernet, London

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

Arbor Bankside Yards-1a.jpg

Arbor, Bankside Yards, London

Architect – PLP Architecture
Structural engineer – AKT II
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – Multiplex Construction Europe Limited
Client – Native Land
Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow-1.jpeg

Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow

Sculptor – John McKenna Sculptor Ltd
Structural engineer – Narro
Main contractor – John McKenna Sculptor Ltd
Client – Inverclyde Council
Shoreditch Village-1.jpg

Montacute Yards, London

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

[top]Structural steel design awards 2022

Full details of the 2022 award winning projects, the judging panel and the other finalists are available in a special SSDA 2022 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 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.