Jul 13 2009
Wimbledon's striking Centre Court redevelopment is one of five Award winning entries in this year's Structural Steel Design Awards, which were announced at a special ceremony at London's Science Museum today (9 July 2009). The four other new structures that the judges felt equally worthy to stand alongside the celebrated new Centre Court closing roof are the Cabot Circus Roof in Bristol, the Oxford University Biochemistry Building, Kew Garden's innovative Xstrata Aerial Walkway, and Castleford Footbridge in Yorkshire.
The awards are now into their fifth decade, recognising the excellence achievable in structural and architectural design with the use of steel. Judges selected the Award winning entries from a shortlist of 22, all of which scored highly in efficiency, cost effectiveness, aesthetics, sustainability and innovation.
Judges Chairman David Lazenby said the 2009 entries compared well with those of any year since the awards scheme was launched in 1969. He said:" The short-list includes entries from a wide geographical spread from city centres to the top of a mountain, and a variety of types and sizes, as we have blockbusters and "little gems", ranging from the heroic to the delicate. We continue to see good results of traditional methods of project procurement, but we have also recognized some fine examples of design/build."
All of the 22 projects on the shortlist were visited by the six strong judges team that also included Martin Manning, Chris Nash, Joe Locke, Gerry Hayter and new judge Oliver Tyler.
Mr Lazenby said all the entries were praiseworthy and demonstrate why steel is the structural material of choice. They also all serve the client well, and delight their users and the public.
He concluded: "I hope that these winning projects will inspire the industry, generate continuing success in these very tough times, and encourage future submissions to this great Award scheme."
Commendations were awarded to six structures; the Ryanair Maintenance and Training Hangar at Stansted airport; No 2 Spinningfields Square, Manchester; the new academic building at the London School of Economics and Political Science; 201 Bishopsgate and the Broadgate Tower in the City of London; Cabot Circus Footbridge at Bristol's Broadmead development; and the A2/A282 Dartford Improvement Scheme in Kent.
Certificates of Merit went to the Weather Room at Monken Hadley; Hafod Eryri at Snowdonia National Park; Unilever House, Leatherhead; and Lakeside Energy from Waste Plant at Colnbrook.
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