Winners announced for the best structural engineering projects

Architecture and urban planning

15 November 2014

Pulkovo International Airport won the Award for Infrastructure or Transportation Structures

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GLOBAL The Institution of Structural Engineers, a London-based organisation focused on promoting the art and science of structural engineering, has announced the winners of its Structural Awards 2014. The annual contest awards the most innovative structural design solutions from all over the world.

This year the Institution granted two awards, the Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence, as well as the Award for Commercial or Retail Structures, to The Glass Lantern, a glass structure designed as part of the new Apple store in Istanbul, Turkey. Completed in 2014 by Eckersley O’Callaghan, the structure is made up of five elements: four laminated glass walls and a roof made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic. Located at the heart of a shopping mall, the lantern serves as a visual signpost to the Apple flagship store situated in the basement and also provides it with daylight. “This project is a supreme example of collaboration between engineer and fabricator, taking structural glass technology into a new dimension,” the Awards judges said.

The Award for Highway or Railway Bridge Structures went to Elbebridge Schönebeck, a bridge structure designed by Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner to cut down the congestion in the German city of Schönebeck.

Footbridge over the Bow in Banff, Canada won the Award for Pedestrian Bridges. Designed by Fast + Epp, the timber structure “pushed the boundaries for timber footbridges in a dramatic manner – it came in under budget and ahead of schedule, while responding sensitively to the constraints and aspirations for the site, delighting the town it serves,” the jury members said.

Glasgow School of Art’s Reid Building won the Award for Arts or Entertainment Structures. Designed by Arup, the building structure is sited directly opposite the renowned Mackintosh Building.

The Award for Education or Healthcare Structures was granted to the new Living Planet Centre constructed for WWF-UK in Woking, UK. Designed by Expedition Engineering, the multi-purpose “exemplar sustainable” building houses the charity’s offices and a public education and exhibition space.

St. Petersburg Pulkovo International Airport won the Award for Infrastructure or Transportation Structures. The new airport terminal features an innovative steel roof structure designed by Ramboll that reflects “the golden spires of St. Petersburg.”

The Structural Heritage Award was granted to Forth Rail Bridge in Edinburgh, UK. The highly problematic issue of painting the bridge has been solved by Pell Frischmann, who designed a coating "that should last for 25 years."