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 2024 - Shortlist

The shortlist for the 56th 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 26 September.

Allerdene Bridge, Gateshead

Architect – Jacobs
Structural engineer – Jacobs
Principal Structural Steelwork Contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – Costain
Client – National Highways
Aviva Studios, Manchester

Architect – Office for Metropolitan Architecture
Structural engineer – Buro Happold
Steelwork contractor – William Hare
Main contractor – Laing O’Rourke
Client – Manchester City Council
Battersea Power Station Phase 3B, London

Architect – Foster + Partners
Structural engineer – Robert Bird Group
Steelwork contractor – BHC Ltd
Main contractor – Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd
Client – Battersea Power Station Development Company
Beaulieu Parkway Bridge, Chelmsford

Architect – AECOM
Steelwork contractor – Briton Fabricators Ltd
Main contractor – GRAHAM
Client – Countryside Zest LLP
Clarice Pears Building, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Glasgow

Architect – AtkinsRéalis
Structural engineer – AtkinsRéalis
Main contractor – Multiplex
Client – University of Glasgow
Co-op Live Arena, Manchester

Architect – Populous
Structural engineer – Buro Happold
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – BAM Construction
Client – Oak View Group
Devon Place Footbridge, Newport

Architect – Grimshaw Architects
Structural engineer – Cass Hayward
Main contractor – Griffiths Ltd
Client – Newport City Council
Haymarket, Edinburgh

Architects – Foster + Partners
Structural engineer – Arup
Steelwork contractor – BHC Ltd
Main contractor – Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd
Client – Qmile Group, M&G Real Estate
Holbein Gardens, London

Architect – Barr Gazetas
Structural engineer – Heyne Tillett Steel
Steelwork contractor – Cleveland Steel and Tubes Ltd
Client – Grosvenor
Lucent, London

Architect – Fletcher Priest Architects
Structural engineer – Waterman Group
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – Wates Group
Client – Landsec
Maggie's Royal Free Hospital, London

Architect – Studio Libeskind
Structural engineer – Expedition Engineering
Steelwork contractor – William Hare
Main contractor – Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd
Client – Maggie's
Tommy Taylor Memorial Bridge, Barnsley

Architect – Arcadis
Structural engineer – Waterman Group
Main contractor – Keltbray
Client – Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
n2 Nova Evolved, London

Architect – Lynch Architects, Veretec
Structural engineer – Robert Bird Group
Steelwork contractor – William Hare
Main contractor – Mace
Client – Landsec
One Great Cumberland Place, London

Architect – Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
Structural engineer – AKT II
Steelwork contractor – Bourne Group Ltd
Main contractor – Galliford Try
Client – The Portman Estate
Plot 7B New Bailey, Salford

Architect – Make Architects
Structural engineer – Cundall
Steelwork contractor – Billington Structures Ltd
Main contractor – Bowmer + Kirkland
Client – Muse
Sky Innovation Centre, London

Architect – AtkinsRéalis
Structural engineer – Arup
Main contractor – ISG Ltd
Client – Sky
Sky Studios Elstree, Borehamwood

Architect – UMC Architects
Structural engineer – Fairhurst
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – BAM Construction
Client – Legal and General (L & G)

4 Angel Square, NOMA, Manchester

Architect – SimpsonHaugh Architects
Structural engineer – Buro Happold
Steelwork contractor – Billington Structures Ltd
Main contractor – Bowmer + Kirkland
Client – MEPC
8 Bishopsgate, London

Architect – WilkinsonEyre
Structural engineer – Arup
Steelwork contractor – William Hare
Main contractor – Lendlease
Client – Stanhope PLC
Bishop Square, London

Architects – Foster + Partners and Bond Bryan
Structural engineer – Price & Myers
Steelwork contractor – Elland Steel Structures Ltd
Main contractor – VolkerFitzpatrick
Client – J.P. Morgan
Paddington Square, London

Architect – Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Adamson Associates
Structural engineer – WSP
Steelwork contractor – William Hare
Main contractor – Mace
Client – Great Western Developments Limited

[top]Structural steel design awards 2023

Full details of the 2023 award winning projects, the judging panel and the other finalists are available in a special SSDA 2023 brochure produced by the BCSA and Steel for Life in association with Kovic Design Limited.

[top]Awards

[top]Commendations

[top]Merits

[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.

[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.

[top]Awards

[top]Commendations

[top]Merits

[top]Structural steel design awards 2019

Full details of the 2019 award winning projects, the judging panel and the other finalists are available in a special SSDA 2019 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 2018

Full details of the 2018 award winning projects, the judging panel and the other finalists are available in a special SSDA 2018 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 2017

Full details of the 2017 award winning projects, the judging panel and the other finalists are available in a special SSDA 2017 brochure produced by the BCSA and Steel for Life in association with Kovic Design Limited.

[top]Awards

[top]Commendations

[top]Merits

[top]Structural steel design awards 2016

Full details of the 2016 award winning projects, the judging panel and the other finalists are available in a special SSDA 2016 brochure produced by the BCSA and Steel for Life in association with Kovic Design Limited.

[top]Awards

[top]Commendations

[top]Merits

[top]Structural steel design awards 2015

Full details of the 2015 award winning projects, the judging panel and the other finalists are available in a special SSDA 2015 brochure produced by the BCSA and Tata Steel in association with Kovic Design Limited.

[top]Awards

[top]Commendations

[top]Certificates of Merit

[top]Structural steel design awards 2014

Full details of the 2014 award winning projects, the judging panel and the other finalists are available in a special SSDA 2014 brochure produced by the BCSA and Tata Steel in association with Barrett, Byrd Associates.

[top]Awards

[top]Commendations

[top]Structural steel design awards 2013

Full details of the 2013 award winning projects, the judging panel and the other finalists are available in a special SSDA 2013 brochure produced by the BCSA and Tata Steel in association with Barrett, Byrd Associates.

[top]Awards

[top]Commendations

[top]Structural steel design awards 2012

Full details of the 2012 award winning projects, the judging panel and the other finalists are available in a special SSDA 2012 brochure produced by the BCSA and Tata Steel in association with Kovic Design Limited.