Innovative engineering showcased at the 2022 Structural Awards

The UK’s Institution of Structural Engineers has announced the winners of the Structural Awards 2022, which seeks to celebrate the role of structural engineers in sustainability, social impact, innovation, and ingenuity. Ten projects were honored, comprising two Supreme Award winners and eight shortlisted works.

In operation for over 50 years, the awards describe themselves as “the world’s foremost celebration of structural engineers as innovative, creative design professionals and the guardians of public safety.” Past winners of the event have included the Sydney Opera House, the Pompidou Centre, and the Severn Bridge.

“We’ve seen a truly remarkable set of submissions this year, and I’m hugely encouraged, not only by the calibre of entries but how structural engineers worldwide are stepping up to the huge social, economic, and environmental challenges society currently faces,” said jury chair, Professor Tim Ibell. “The winning projects perfectly encapsulate our new guiding attributes of Planet, People, Process, and Profession and should serve as an example to the entire global construction sector.”

Below, we have published the ten honored works accompanied by a jury appraisal.

SUPREME AWARD FOR STRUCTURAL EXCELLENCE WINNERS

The Arc Gymnasium, Bali, Indonesia by Atelier One (cover image)

Jury citation: "Ark Gymnasium is an extraordinary project. It brings together local materials, fundamental research and creativity-charged structural engineering expertise to produce something of pure delight. Not only does it demonstrate how we might consider the spectacular use of natural building materials for major projects, but it also lays out the path, via research, which can lead to the confident use of such materials."

HYLO, London, UK by AKT II

Jury citation: "Hylo could only have been achieved through masterful structural engineering. A 13-story building was added on top of an existing 16-story building, with only the most essential strengthening works necessary to the existing frame and foundations. This was achieved through redirecting load paths, and allowed the designers to exploit the inherent robustness in the original structure — in essence, they cashed in on previous carbon footprint to save carbon on the extension. A quite brilliant example of structural retrofit."

SHORTLISTED PROJECTS

Expo 2020 Dubai Sunshades, Dubai, UAE by Webb Yates Engineers

Jury citation: "These simple and elegant structures served many aesthetic and practical functions and are beautifully detailed. The rigorous testing, analysis and design of the aerodynamics of the swinging panels required high levels of analysis and wind-tunnel testing to investigate and understand wind effects. These complex dynamic issues were successfully dealt with offering benefit of dynamic analysis for future projects."

The Gramaphone Works, London, UK by Heyne Tillett Steel

Jury citation: "This major reuse project champions the use of mass timber in the commercial sector to create an adaptive space which is responsive to the end user’s needs. A lightweight CLT and glulam structure has been used to extend the existing concrete frame, increasing the building from two to six storeys and adding 60,000 sq. ft."

1 Triton Square, London, UK by Arup

Jury citation: "An excellent project-wide approach to minimizing carbon and negative impacts. The structural team adopted a comprehensive raft of measures and demonstrated a noteworthy willingness to minimize strengthening of the existing building through precise investigation and analysis."

Tianfu Agricultural Expo Main Hall, Chengdu, China by StructureCraft and China Architecture Design & Research Group

Jury citation: "The design of the vierendeel-inspired timber chord and steel webbing structure with ETFE membranes is aesthetically pleasing and seemingly melts into the surrounding environment. Thoughtful detailing of the unique shear-key connection is innovative and able to withstand seismic force."

Stadtbahnbrücke, Stuttgart, Germany by schlaich bergermann partner

Jury citation: "A worthy demonstration of new materials and new applications. The resulting design embodies a combination of well-known techniques and new cutting-edge technology to provide a graceful, highly efficient take on the classic cable-hanger arched bridge."

United Nations New Office Building, Geneva, Switzerland by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Jury citation: "This project has a clear focus on both the environment and the end user. An innovative hybrid timber and concrete structural slab and beam system solution was adopted and significantly reduced the embodied carbon emissions. The timber landscape stairs and the perimeter columns directly use unadorned structures to express the architectural aesthetics."

Rankine Brown Library, Wellington, New Zealand by Beca

Jury citation: "Great pains have been taken to restore this library following earthquake damage and the efforts to justify the building through repairs and upgrade are admirable, providing enormous savings on the alternative of new construction. The design implemented improvements beyond code requirements under severe working constraints as the library remained in use throughout."

London South Bank University London Road Building, London, UK by Eckersley O’Callaghan

Jury citation: "A retrofit first approach to sustainable building design has transformed an outdated concrete building into a vibrant new student centre. The project team enabled minimal intervention based on detailed analysis of the existing structure, extending its design life by another 50 years and also achieving a great visual improvement."