Today, the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) reveals the 2023 Structural Awards shortlist, featuring 35 of the world’s most outstanding building projects.

Among the shortlisted projects, 16 are situated throughout London, with notable examples such as the renovation of Big Ben and the ABBA Arena. These projects serve as prime illustrations of London’s rich tapestry of diverse and sustainable engineering. Other projects in the UK include York Guildhall and the Weston-Super Mare SEE Monster installation.

Following the successful introduction of a new judging process in 2022, shifting away from project-based categories, 2023 has seen an even greater focus on work which reflects and embraces contemporary social, ethical and sustainable standards.

All entries have been judged by a panel of experts led by a new chair – Professor John Orr, Professor of Structural Engineering at the Cambridge University and a Chartered member of IStructE. The panel used four key judging attributes that exemplify excellent structural engineering achievements. These are: Planet (environmental impact), People (social value and impact on end-users), Process (technical innovation) and Profession (collaboration and advocacy).

Importantly, these four attributes recognise the growing societal expectations of the need for a transformative, circular approach to material use, and how the structural engineering profession is leading the way.

This forward-thinking approach has encouraged yet another diverse array of entries from all corners of the globe, ranging from fully demountable concert arenas and ingenious retrofit projects to cutting-edge university campuses and national park infrastructure.

Please see the link to the shortlisted projects. Highlights include:

Battersea power station (Battersea) – Credit: ©Buro Happold

Finalist: Buro Happold

Black & White Building (Shoreditch)- Credit: ©Eckersley O’Callaghan

Finalist: Eckersley O’Callaghan

Project: Youshui Bridge of Zhangjiajie-Jishou-Huaihua High-speed Railway in Furong Town, China // Credit: ©Yan Aiguo
Finalist: Yan Aiguo

Project: Marisfrolg Fashion Apparel Campus, China // Credit: ©Shenzhen Classical Building Structure Design Firm Co., Ltd
Finalist: Shenzhen Classical Building Structure Design Firm Co., Ltd

Inspiring the future of engineering

Whilst maintaining a focus on achieving structural and professional excellence, the 35 shortlisted projects are also specifically measured on how effectively they’ve integrated Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) strategies.

This involves considering the impact on communities, such as local upskilling, technical advancements, and originality, as well as maintaining a broad perspective as to how the project will benefit the wider profession.

IStructE believes these 2023 awards showcase the global engineering community as a central player in promoting circular economic principles within construction and the wider built environment community. This means all entries needed to provide an embodied carbon footprint calculation, using the IStructE carbon calculator tool, aligning with the industry’s dedication to reducing the still high embodied carbon within the built environment.

Commenting on this year’s awards, Professor John Orr comments: “As society evolves and the economic and climatic landscape we occupy becomes more challenging, we must acknowledge the significant influence engineers wield over the sustainability of buildings, and their impact on people and the planet. Our shortlist showcases this and more, especially the ingenuity of the shortlisted firms and their unparalleled structural engineering expertise, setting a precedent for industry best practice. I hope it serves as a source of inspiration for current, and future generations of engineers worldwide.”

The winners will be announced at the award ceremony, taking place on 10th November 2023.