First impressions of this year's entries
This year, my initial impressions of the entries were overwhelmingly positive. The diversity and innovation showcased in the projects reflect a vibrant and forward-thinking industry. In line with the Institution's strong stance on the role structural engineers play in addressing the global challenges associated with the climate crisis, the projects also have a strong commitment to sustainability and trying to minimise the impact the designs have on our planet. Moreover, and compared to last year, we seem to have more projects which not only focus on reducing their environmental impact but also explore ways to enhance the well-being of local communities. The variety of projects, from huge sports stadia to innovative small-scale structures, highlights the breadth of talent and creativity in our field.
The judging process
I have found the judging process for the IStructE Structural Awards to be thorough and rather rigorous! Each entry is meticulously reviewed by a number of judges at an initial stage, and all judges at a later stage, against the published criteria (at least two of the so-called “P’s”, one of which is Planet). It is notable during the process that the overall emphasis is excellence in structural engineering. The panel are not shy at voicing opinions, and debating the relative merits of each project – again, the diversity of backgrounds on the judging panel almost automatically leads to different opinions! Nevertheless, I feel we share a common goal: to recognise and celebrate the best in our profession. Reaching a consensus on the winning projects requires a collaborative effort, where each judge’s expertise and perspective play a role.
What excites me most about the Structural Awards
What excites me most about the Structural Awards is the opportunity to witness the real world evidence of the advancements in our field. As a researcher, I am motivated on a daily basis to find even the smallest improvement in a material, method, design, etc. I have found that this is completely reflected in the projects we assess, which is very exciting to me and I thoroughly enjoying seeing some of the topics that we research being employed and used in real buildings. The real link between research and practice is often evident and exciting! As much of my own research work focuses on extreme conditions, I am always impressed with the way structural engineers around the world are dealing with the growing threats from natural and man-made disasters.
The significance of the Structural Awards
The Structural Awards are an extremely significant event, not only for our Institution, but also for our profession. They are not just a celebration of technical excellence but also a testament to the passion, dedication and innovation of structural engineers worldwide. Most of all, I feel that the awards highlight the importance of our profession in shaping the built environment and underscore the role of structural engineers in creating sustainable, resilient, and inspiring structures.
Impact of the judging criteria: Planet, Process, People, and Profession
This is the third year where entries are judged against the criteria of Planet, Process, People, and Profession. Although I wasn’t involved in the years previous to this, I feel we have adapted well to this new approach and most importantly, it leads to the best projects being awarded. We are no longer constrained to the best bridge, or the best small project, and so on and therefore adopt a more holistic approach. And of course, these criteria emphasise what we believe are important considerations in structural engineering, ie sustainable practices, greater inclusivity of project type from little to large, recognising the importance of people and communities and technical excellence. Since the change in format, we have seen a constant stream of projects from all over the world, reflecting the global nature of our profession and the universal challenges we face.
Biggest challenge facing the profession
In considering what I believe are the biggest challenges in our profession, I can't help but be biased towards my own professional research challenges, which possibly (hopefully!) reflect the industry as a whole. In this sense, much of our work is motivated by trying to find a balance between technical innovation, and especially improving resilience, performance, longevity and so on, with the ever increasing need to find more sustainable solutions to what has come before. As structural engineers, I think we are wired to get excited by more complex and ambitious structures – this is coupled with the imperative to minimize the environmental impact. This is extremely exciting to me as a researcher, as I recognise the potential to really make a difference through the development of new materials, methods and technologies that reduce carbon footprints while maintaining safety and functionality. Increasingly in recent years, an added strand to this is the growing and urgent need to retrofit and adapt existing structures or structural elements to meet contemporary requirements and standards.
Conclusion
In preparing this article, and reflecting on my role on the judging panel, I conclude that it has been an immense privilege to play a small role in the Structural Awards, as well as a welcome responsibility. It offers a unique vantage point to observe the evolving trends and innovations in structural engineering practice. The Structural Awards remind me of the critical role structural engineers play in shaping our communities and the built environment, and also celebrate our achievements in doing so. As an added bonus, the awards ceremony itself is also a great night out!!