NSC
FACT FILE
Architect: Abstract Machine
Leeds Beckett University
Structural engineer: BMMJV
Bam Nuttall/Mott MacDonald Joint Venture
Steelwork contractor: S H Structures Ltd
Main contractor: BMMJV
Bam Nuttall/Mott MacDonald Joint Venture
Client: Environment Agency
October 19 31
Greatham Creek Seal Hide, Middlesbrough
The use of steel allowed a geometrically complex structure to be built
on a constrained site on top of a flood defence embankment.
Located in an area of Teesside
renowned for its wildlife and
a popular destination for
birdwatchers and people wishing
to photograph seals, an observation hide
has been constructed during the building of
new flood embankments.
Overlooking the sea at Greatham Creek,
the steel-framed hide replaces an old timber
structure and has been described as a legacy
structure to be enjoyed by those visiting the
area for years to come.
Explaining the choice of steelwork
for the new hide, Mott MacDonald
Technical Principal Adrian Douglas says:
“The structure sits at the top of the flood
defences, with no access for cranes adjacent
to the site. A relatively long radius lift was
required for erection which limited the
weight of the individual parts of the final
structure.
“To satisfy the need for lightweight
material and to achieve the durability
required by the brief the only options
were steel or in-situ concrete. The latter is
said to be inappropriate for the functional
requirements of a bird hide and expensive
to be made architecturally interesting. The
use of corrosion resistant weathering steel
both resolved the need for repainting the
structure and naturally provided a suitable
colour.
“Using steel also enabled an interesting
architectural form to be executed within
the access constraints of the site,” adds Mr
Douglas.
Funding for the scheme was secured
through engagement with Royal Society for
the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Teesside
Environmental Trust, with a contribution
from the Landfill Communities Fund.
Together with an additional donation
from local business the budget available
for the hides increased significantly from
the original £25,000 to over £100,000,
allowing the project team to design a more
substantial and aesthetically-pleasing hide.
Several universities were approached
about getting involved in the design of the
hide, with Leeds Beckett University’s School
of Architecture eventually being awarded
the job.
Several final year students visited the
site in December 2017 and started work
on individual concept designs which
were presented to the wider project team,
including representatives from RSPB and
Teesside Environmental Trust in February
2018.
The initial designs were very well
received and work then progressed
on developing a final option. The
undergraduates and alumni of the
university worked with Mott MacDonald’s
specialist structures team and appointed
steelwork supplier S H Structures to
progress the design to a final, fully designed
and costed solution.
The judges say an enlightened client, and
an innovative response from architecture
students at Leeds Beckett University, has
resulted in a truly unique hide structure.
The existing conventional wood hides had
to be removed as part of a flood alleviation
scheme. Their replacement is formed from
sculpted weathering steel and provides
a legacy to be enjoyed by visitors to this
vibrant wildlife area.
All photos on this page © Vicky Matthews
M E R I T SSDA 2019
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/Construction#Mobile_cranes
/Construction#Steel_erection
/The_case_for_steel#Long-life_durability
/Weathering_steel
/Design
/Concept_design