The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) has announced the shortlist for the Structural Awards 2008.

Established in 1968, the annual Structural Awards recognise excellence in structural design and showcase projects that lead the industry's global development.

This year, over 80 projects from around the world were nominated across 12 different categories, and 39 of these have been shortlisted to win an award. The broad range of categories are designed to reflect the industry's diversity and specialisation. This year's category sponsors are Autodesk, Corus, The Concrete Centre and Griffiths & Armour; the Awards are supported by IHS, Peikko and Warners Midlands PLC. For full details of the shortlisted entries, visit www.structuralawards.org.

The Awards' highest accolade is the Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence; this was won last year by Buro Happold and Engineers Haskins Robinson Waters for the design of the Savill Building in Great Windsor Park, UK.


Stephen Haskins of Engineers Haskins Robinson Waters remarked: "We were absolutely delighted to have won the award for the Arts and Leisure Category and truly elated by the Supreme Award. Both these awards represent a fantastic achievement for the company and it is an achievement we hope to build on in the future."

Professor David Nethercot, Chairman of the judging panel, was impressed by the engineering expertise and ingenuity demonstrated by the entries in this year's programme.

He said: "In celebrating the Institution's Centenary year, it is fantastic to see structural engineering that is responding creatively and effectively to the challenges presented by our built environment.

"The Structural Awards are the industry benchmark and all of the projects shortlisted represent the outstanding achievements of structural engineering's current stars."

Sarah Buck, IStructE President and member of the Structural Awards judging panel was impressed with the range of projects that were shortlisted.

She commented: "The entries vary from quirky to Olympic, from all corners of the world. I am a director of a small engineering practice. I was therefore particularly pleased to see the inclusion of intricate and fascinating projects that cost under £1m amongst the larger well known multimillion pound schemes. These projects can pose just as many challenges and solutions can be very complex.

"The high standard of entries gave the judges a tough task in arriving at the shortlist. The Awards' mix of categories ensures that excellence in structural engineering will get the recognition it deserves, regardless of the scale or cost," She added.

The winning and commended projects will be announced at the Structural Awards 2008 gala dinner which will be held on Friday November 14 at the Royal Horticultural Halls, London.

(GK/JM)