Double win at Structural Awards

Two Manchester transport projects designed by BDP have succeeded in this year’s Structural Steel Design Awards, which were announced on 3rd October. The awards celebrate excellent steel construction that demonstrates efficiency, cost effectiveness, aesthetics and innovation.

Ordsall Chord was one of six UK projects to have won a Design Award and the judges commented “The project is a major piece of new railway infrastructure that has a truly civic presence. The project combines a new network arch railway bridge and approach viaducts with integrated public realm. Weathering steel is used as a strong unifying element that flows through from the viaduct and bridge approach upstands into the main arches of the railway bridge, giving the scheme a strong architectural identity within its urban setting.” We provided the architecture, masterplanning, lighting and landscape architecture for the scheme.

Victoria Station Manchester, which was redeveloped in order to accommodate increased passenger capacity and includes a dramatic roof replacement, received a merit at the awards. The judges said “The tubular steel ribs forming the new roof create an effective transition between the curving railway tracks and the adjacent buildings. Despite severe constraints the steelwork was erected on schedule with the station remaining operational throughout. The result is a completely transformed space, with the exposed steelwork a dominant feature.” We provided the architecture for the project as well as structural engineering for its concept design.