SSDA celebrates 50 years
Since the Structural Steel Design
Awards (SSDA) were initiated in
1969 by the British Constructional
Steelwork Association (BCSA) and
the British Steel Corporation there have
been many changes in the construction and
the steel sectors, but one constant asset is
the way that steel not only confers efficiency
and economy but also has an aesthetic
which designers are able to exploit to the
benefit of the built environment.
The qualities of engineering excellence,
innovation, attention to detail, economy
and speed of construction have been
brought together in each of the structures
that have been given awards during the past
49 years.
Following on from last month’s look back
at the 1990s, in this issue we highlight the
2000s. Two examples of this decade’s Award
winners are the Falkirk Wheel (a winner
in 2002) and The Wellcome Trust Gibbs
Building in London (a 2005 winner).
Weighing approximately 1,400t without
water, the Falkirk Wheel is a unique
machine that raises and lowers boats in a
rotary motion, connecting the Forth and
SSDA 50th Anniversary
Having started in 1969, the Structural Steel Design Awards are this year celebrating their
50th anniversary. In the fourth of a series of articles, NSC looks back at the 2000s.
The Angel of the
North has become
one of the country’s
most recognisable
landmarks
The Falkirk Wheel is
a unique machine for
raising and lowering
boats
10 NSC
July/Aug 18
Nick Fox / Shutterstock
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