News
University of Oxford Biochemistry Building awarded a 2009 Structural Steel Design Award.
13th July 2009
The new Biochemistry building at the University of Oxford has been awarded one of five 2009 Structural Steel Design Awards. PBA provided structural and civil engineering services on the project, along with associated transport, acoustic, geotechnical, and waste management services. The architect was Hawkins Brown.
The awards, now into their fifth decade, recognise excellence in the field of steel construction and design focusing on efficiency, cost effectiveness, aesthetics and innovation. The judges commented that the Biochemistry building demonstrated a “very effective steel solution”, providing flexible, adaptable spaces to encourage academic interaction.
The four other Award winners, announced at a special ceremony at London’s Science Museum hosted by TV presenter Gabby Logan, were the Wimbledon’s Centre Court roof, Cabot Circus Roof in Bristol, Kew Garden’s Xstrata Aerial Walkway and Castleford Footbridge in Yorkshire.
The Biochemistry building has also received an Architectural Award from The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The success of this building is testament to the growing appreciation of the engineering and design community to the many advantages of steel construction, which include the well proven qualities of economy, integrity, precision and speed.
