Projects and Features
Structural Steel Design Awards 2025
Introduction
By Roger Plank – Chairman of the Judging Panel.
It has been my privilege to chair the judging panel for this year’s awards, and I would like to thank my fellow judges, each an expert in their own field, and sharing a passion for high quality design and construction, for giving so freely of their time.
The awards scheme provides an opportunity for the sector to showcase excellence in the use of structural steel across a wide range of projects varying in nature, scale, regional location and budget. The variety of projects submitted this year and the high quality of all those which made it to the final stage demonstrate just what can be achieved in structural steelwork construction.
The judging process starts shortly after the closing date for submissions with a preliminary selection based on a ‘desktop’ review of the entries. It is therefore critically important to provide clear, concise, well-illustrated documentation highlighting those aspects of the project that make it special, with contributions, where appropriate, from each member of the project team. Good photographs, particularly of the finished structure, are helpful.
We look for high quality in all aspects of a project, and are particularly keen to understand the challenges faced, how these were addressed, and the contribution of steel to the outcome. Aspects such as innovation, smart working, problem-solving and community benefit are therefore as relevant as appearance and scale. And at a time when climate change is high on everyone’s agenda, we are keen to learn about ways in which a project contributes to a more sustainable future.
The shortlisted schemes are then notified and invited to host a visit by the judges. These visits are a special feature of this award scheme, giving the judges a firsthand opportunity to understand and experience the selected projects, and to quiz the project teams about any specific points. In this way, we can build up a much clearer view of the special merits of individual entries and this is extremely helpful in coming to our final decisions. It is particularly useful if the visits involve all key members of the project team, including the client, to provide the broadest perspective.
Once all visits have been completed, the judging panel reassembles to compare notes and exchange views. We consider the merits of all aspects including architecture and engineering, the quality of fabrication and assembly, any innovations or challenges, issues of sustainability, and the contribution the project makes to society at large. With such a diverse range of projects, this is no easy task, but the judges bring all their professional experience and expertise to bear in reaching a consensus.
All projects reaching the final stage have set extremely high standards but some go an extra step. For these, Commendations are given to projects which demonstrate excellence in many aspects, whilst Awards are for exceptional work, and projects which have specific exemplary features are awarded Merits.
In conclusion, I can say, on behalf of all the judges, that all of the projects recognised in the Structural Steel Design Awards this year reflect the impressive quality of the current steel construction industry, and everyone involved should be proud of what has been achieved.
The Judges
Professor Roger Plank PhD BSc CEng FIStructE MICE
Chairman of the Panel
Representing the Institution of Structural Engineers
Roger Plank is a structural engineer and, having recently retired as Professor of Architecture and Structural Engineering at the University of Sheffield, is currently a Director of Vulcan Solutions Ltd, offering software and consultancy services in fire engineering. He has collaborated extensively with the steel construction sector in the fields of fire engineering and sustainability, and is a Past President of the Institution of Structural Engineers.
Richard Barrett MA (Cantab)
Representing the Steelwork Contracting Industry
Richard Barrett was Managing Director of Barrett Steel Buildings for over 20 years prior to its sale in 2007, in a management buy-out, and is Chairman of steel stockholder Barrett Steel. Richard studied engineering at Cambridge University, graduating in 1978. At Barrett Steel Buildings, he developed the business into a leading specialist in the design and build of steel-framed buildings for structures such as distribution warehouses, retail parks, schools, offices and hospitals. He was President of the BCSA from 2007 to 2009, and was a member of BCSA’s Council from 1994 to 2017.
David Chapman BEng CEng MIStructE
Representing the Steelwork Contracting Industry
David Chapman is a chartered structural engineer and has been working in the steel industry since 1986. He started his career working for the steel fabricators Wescol Glosford and Dyer and during his 17 years there he was involved in stadia, warehouse and office projects etc, and became their Technical Director. Following this, David spent 20 years working for the Corus / Tata Steel / BCSA JV as Technical Manager. In 2023, he joined ArcelorMittal Steligence and is responsible for the promotion of the company’s combined product offering and sustainability within the UK.
Brogan MacDonald CEng CEnv MICE
Representing the Institution of Civil Engineers
Brogan MacDonald is a chartered engineer and environmentalist blending technical expertise in structural engineering with a holistic approach to sustainability. As the Head of Sustainability for Building Structures at Ramboll UK, she leads the implementation of the company’s sustainability strategy; to reduce embodied carbon by 50% by 2030, promoting the reuse of existing buildings and elements, integrating nature into their designs, and enhancing climate resilience and adaptation. Brogan leads on Ramboll’s UK commitments to ConcreteZero and SteelZero, as well as providing sustainability training and upskilling to over 180 engineers and technicians across the UK and India, ensuring they have the technical competence to engineer the future.
Emily McDonald MEng MA (Cantab) CEng MICE
Representing the Institution of Civil Engineers
Emily McDonald is a Partner at Buro Happold with over 25 years of experience. She has recently taken on the role of UK Managing Director. A civil and structural engineer by training, she originally joined the practice as a graduate fresh from Cambridge University. She has extensive experience having worked on a wide range of multi-disciplinary projects including innovative new builds and refurbishment schemes across a number of sectors and typologies. She has been involved in diverse and landmark projects notably Cutty Sark Conservation Project and Phase One of the Battersea Power Station redevelopment, now known as Circus West Village and Faraday House. She is currently the project principal leading large multi-disciplinary teams of engineers on several projects including Stratford Waterfront East Bank and the Barbican Renewal Project, caring for the things people love about the Barbican Centre, while opening up the creative experience for everyone.
Christopher Nash BA (Hons) DipArch RIBA FRSA
Representing the Architectural Profession
Christopher Nash is a Senior Consultant Architect. He graduated in 1978 from Bristol University School of Architecture and was a Director and Partner at Grimshaw Architects until retiring from the partnership in 2012. While at Grimshaw, Chris was responsible for many of the practice’s high-profile buildings, through which he developed a working knowledge of the steel construction industry. Chris continues to practise as a consultant in architectural practice management, architectural education and property development.
Sarah Pellereau MEng CEng MIStructE
Representing the Institution of Structural Engineers
Sarah Pellereau is an Associate Director at Elliott Wood with 21 years’ experience. She has been involved in a number of award-winning schemes including leading a project shortlisted for the Stirling Prize. As a Structural Engineer, she is rare in having graduated with a Part 1 in Architecture as well as a Masters in Engineering from the University of Leeds. She has a diverse portfolio of experiences in structural design but also has worked on-site with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) alterations to St Pancras Station and tutored at Nottingham University.
Bill Taylor BA (Hons) DipArch MA RIBA FRSA
Representing the Royal Institute of British Architects
Bill Taylor is an architect in private practice. Having joined architects Michael and Patty Hopkins straight from Sheffield University School of Architecture in 1982, he became the youngest of the five founding partners in 1988. In 2010 Bill left Hopkins Architects to concentrate on his own projects and since then he has also collaborated with architect Robin Snell and his practice. Bill is a founding member of Tensinet, the pan-European organisation researching lightweight and tensile construction. He has been a member of the RIBA National Awards Group and CABE Panels and is a Senior Assessor and Client Adviser for the RIBA competitions programme.
Oliver Tyler BA (Hons) DipArch RIBA
Representing the Royal Institute of British Architects
Oliver Tyler is Managing Director of award-winning architectural practice WilkinsonEyre. Oliver joined WilkinsonEyre in 1991, becoming a Director in 1999. He has spent over 40 years in architectural practice and has extensive experience in leading and coordinating the design and construction of many high-profile buildings and infrastructure projects. Oliver has led a number of prestigious projects at WilkinsonEyre including Stratford Regional Station in London for the Jubilee Line Extension; the Dyson Headquarters in Wiltshire, regional headquarters for Audi in West London, the Arena and Convention Centre in Liverpool and the Emirates Air Line, the UK’s first urban cable car. Oliver has recently completed a number of major infrastructure and commercial office schemes in the City of London, including Liverpool Street Station for the Elizabeth Line, the Bank Station capacity upgrade project, 8 Finsbury Circus and the 50-storey office tower, 8 Bishopsgate.
