Leeds Station Southern Entrance picks up award
THE southern entrance to Leeds railway station has won an award for its outstanding engineering excellence.
The new entrance, engineered by Mott McDonald, was presented with the Yorkshire Structural Award during a ceremony at the Met Hotel in Leeds, hosted by the Yorkshire Regional Group of the Institution of Structural Engineers.
The awards are held each year to recognise outstanding structural engineering in the Yorkshire area or by Yorkshire firms.
The station entrance was recognised as being a highly complex site, in close proximity to three operational railway lines as well as the River Aire.
The judges said: “A range of cutting edge tools and techniques were used to conquer this challenging site. Multiple engineering challenges needed to be addressed, not least how to construct within the fast-flowing river, and how to retain and strengthen the existing Victorian viaduct and station roof. New structures have been successfully integrated with existing ones to deliver a unique landmark building.”
Other structures recognised on the night included:
The Walmgate Bar project, Structural and Civil Consultants
(Small Project Award)
The bar forms the southern gateway to York, and has a medieval tower and one of the best preserved barbicans in the country. The brief included the requirement to prevent collapse of the Elizabethan timber extension in the event of a vehicle strike
The Greenwich Peninsula Energy Centre, Billington Structures
(Large Structure Award, highly commended)
The Energy Centre forms part of the new low carbon district in central London and features a distinctive 50 metre-high cooling tower, energy centre itself and visitor centre. The building sets the scene for the unique architecture of the rest of the development.
The Kelpies, SH Structures (value engineering)
(Community benefit Award)
The Kelpies is a 30 metre high sculpture of two horses’ heads by Glasgow sculptor Andy Scott. The sculpture is located in Falkirk and has been visited by over a million people in its first year. Originally engineered by others, SH Structures were asked to re-engineer the project to realise costs savings whilst maintaining the quality of the artists’ vision.
