SSDA 2006
38th Structural steel design award winners
Thursday 22 June 2006
Judges of the 2006 Structural Steel Design Awards were repeatedly impressed by the project vision, the structural concepts and the quality of execution of the entries, said Chairman of the Judging Panel David Lazenby CBE.
Judges also paid tribute to the ‘wonderful diversity’ of the projects where steelwork was the structural material of choice.
The winners were presented with their Awards at a ceremony held at the Savoy Hotel, London, on 22 June by principal guest Roger Bayliss, Construction Director of BAA.
Judging was by an independent panel appointed by joint sponsors the British Constructional Steelwork Association, Corus and the Steel Construction Institute.
The SSDA scheme was instituted 38 years ago to recognise the high standards of structural and architectural design attainable in the use of steel and its potential in terms of efficiency, cost effectiveness, aesthetics and innovation.
The 2006 Award Winners are:
Air Traffic Control Tower, Heathrow Airport
Gatwick Pier 6 Air Bridge, North Terminal, Gatwick Airport
McLaren Technology Centre, Woking
National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay
| Architect | Richard Rogers |
| Structural engineer | Arup |
| Steelwork contractor | Watson Steel Structures Ltd |
| Management contractor | Mace Ltd |
| Client | BAA |
Judges Comment
This is an iconic project, planned and executed in an exceptionally demanding environment. The enormous, and growing, scale of operations at Heathrow (the busiest international traffic in the world) required an enlarged and improved control system, involving one of the tallest towers to date.
Steelwork was the material of choice, in terms of space requirement, construction and cost. The tubular plated main core is shaped to accommodate lifts, stairs, services and electronics, and the three stays ensure the rigidity criteria for the radar systems.
The logistics of fabricating the steel off site, and then transporting the elements (particularly the large lantern control pod) to the site across one of the main runways, were daunting. The sequential jacking of the modules into position was innovative and effective.
The challenges for the planning, engineering concept, design, fabrication and erection were exceptional.
| Architect | Wilkinson Eyre Architects |
| Structural engineer | Arup |
| Steelwork contractor | Watson Steel Structures Ltd |
| Construction Manager | Mace Ltd |
| Client | BAA Gatwick |
Judges Comment
A landmark structure in one of the world’s busiest airports, providing a link for passengers between the North Terminal and the new satellite building.
The bridge, with a span of 198m and incorporating over 2,700 tonnes of steel, posed a major challenge, particularly in fabrication and erection. The main girders were originally started in the North of England, and later moved to the final assembly site 1.5kms away within the airport perimeter. The movement of the complete bridge structure, across taxiways to its final position, was notable achievement.
The flowing, curved shape of the bridge provides a unique experience for passengers as they pass high above moving aircraft.
Image credit - Nick Wood
| Architect | Foster & Partners |
| Structural engineer | Arup |
| Steelwork contractor | William Hare Ltd |
| Main contractor | Kier Build Ltd |
| Client | McLaren Group |
Judges’ Comment
This temple to engineering excellence is approached rather in the style of a great country house, set in its orchestrated Surrey idyll. It is the result of a clear synergy between a strong client and an equally strong architect. Both have been fascinated by, and demanded, perfection in this joint endeavour. Only this standard has been good enough, and this is manifest in the building.
The judges were almost stunned into silence by the calm environment and the quality of the construction, which approaches in relative terms, that of a F1 racing car.
Effective, but reasonably straightforward, steelwork has been raised to a level of precision which stretches the horizon of the possible.
In some ways this is a disturbing building for human occupation, but it fascinates the intellect and is destined to become a timeless classic
Image credit - Nigel Young / Foster & Partners
| Architect | Richard Rogers |
| Structural engineer | Arup |
| Steelwork contractor (roof steelwork) | S H Structures Ltd |
| Steelwork contractor (ancillary steelwork) | Rowecord Engineering Ltd |
| Main contractor | Taylor Woodrow Construction Ltd |
| Client | Welsh Assembly Government |
Judges Comment
Located in a prime position overlooking Cardiff Bay, this impressive building attains the quality and grandeur that is to be expected of a National Assembly. Yet it is the transparency and lightness that bring the local public closer to their elected delegates.
The roof appears to hover over the chamber, in an impressive display of steel structure and cedar cladding. These create a feeling of generous soaring space, with a sense of minimum structural effort.
Through the combination of excellent design, local materials and high construction skills, this landmark building is something of which the Welsh people can be justly proud.
