Ee24.com presents the most original and innovative buildings of 2014, which were shortlisted for the annual competition announced by the Institution of Structural Engineers (London, UK).
At the competition on the profundity of engineering, construction and restoration thinking were nominated unique homes, shopping centers and offices, bridges and train stations, as well as ancient objects that were renovated. Winners will be announced in November 2014 in the UK capital. We offer you the photos of some unique projects – candidates to win in 12 different categories.
Somerset House, The Miles Stair, London, United Kingdom by Techniker
What’s interesting: the central part of the staircase is steel reinforcement and 104 steps. The staircase connects four floors of a historic building - the famous museum "Somerset House" in the center of the capital of the United Kingdom.
Serpentine Sackler Gallery, London, United Kingdom by Arup and Zaha Hadid
What’s interesting: Serpentine Sackler is one of annex buildings of the gallery "Serpentine". There are cafes and public space. The pavilion, which stretches along the classic building of a powder shop of 1805, is located in London's Kensington Gardens. Arup engineers created a unique geothermal system inside, which both cools and heats the building. Membrane ceiling rests on five pillars, which also act as "light wells".
Slipstream, Heathrow Airport, London by Price & Myers
What’s interesting: Slipstream installation, which resembles air flow around the screw, is the longest sculpture in Europe. Overall length is 78 meters, its weight is 77 tons. 32,000 components of aluminum, plywood and steel were used for it.
New Encants Market, Barcelona, Spain by BAC Engineering Consultancy Group
What’s interesting: a shopping mall is built on the site of an old market, dating back to the 14th century. Now you can find here not only rare things, but also go to several restaurants. The building is situated in one of the busiest streets of Barcelona. Roof was built up of 24-meter consoles on the ground, and then the whole construction was mounted on top.
Glass Lantern, Istanbul by Eckersley O’Callaghan
What’s interesting: walls of Apple shop are made of glass, panel length is 10 m, height is 3 m. The "glass box" withstands severe seismic loads. The light roof is made of carbon fiber, glass mount is made of silicone.
Red Bridge House, East Sussex, United Kingdom by Lyons O’Neill Ltd
What’s interesting: a daring 3-storey Red Bridge House is surrounded by ancient woodland in the south of England. It is an ideal place for a rural life away from the city.
The Kew House, London by Price & Myers
What’s interesting: creative and attractive house within the metropolis; best project on the use of space: the territory is small, but everything is done economically and to good use.
Lowther Castle, Cumbria, UK by Ramboll UK
What’s interesting: Family Castle "Lowther Castle" was built in 1806, but after World War II it was abandoned. In 2014, engineers from Ramboll UK restored it, having made a hotel out of some stables.
Reid Building, Glasgow School of Art, UK by Arup
What’s interesting: new unit of "Reed Building" is integrated in the old building and is a bright neighbor of a century year old world famous Macintosh building.
Elbebridge Schönebeck, Germany by Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner
What’s interesting: it is the largest cable-stayed bridge in Saxony-Anhalt. Prize organizers note elegant simplicity of the bridge, which is blended into the surrounding landscape and became a structural landmark.
L'Argens Bridge, Toulon, France by Webb Yates Engineers & John Horton
What’s interesting: a lovely 28-meter footbridge L'Argens is made from 15 pieces in a remote place. Engineers managed to create an elegant construction, despite of difficult technological and economic requirements of the project.
Forth Rail Bridge, Edinburgh by Pell Frischmann
What’s interesting: a 2.5-kilometer-long railway bridge Forth Rail Bridge in the east of Scotland is one of the first cantilever bridge in the world. It was created in the Victorian era and has since been constantly subjected to corrosion. Current reconstruction lasted 20 years: British engineers from Pell Frischmann with climbers’ help created a computer model of "damage" and then started cleaning. According to forecasts, the bridge will be clean during 25 years.
Wilhelma Zoo Stuttgart – Enclosure for African Apes, Germany by Weischede, Herrmann und Partner
What’s interesting: an interesting pavilion for monkeys is made of reinforced concrete, has an S-shape, and the "grid-roof" is held by 13 pylons. All this, as well as green spaces create a natural environment for monkeys. In the nursery there is climate control.
Pulkovo International Airport, St Petersburg, Russia by Ramboll
What’s interesting: the new international airport "Pulkovo-3" dimensions are 162x270 m. Prize organizers note a lot of overlap space in severe climate and use of different materials (steel roof, various forms of reinforced concrete structures, elements of bridges and diagonally crossed rafter system). There are two motives in design of the ceiling: the first one is water (somewhere it resembles water ripple on the Neva River), the second is domes of the Cathedral of the Savior on Spilled Blood (diamond shape golden color in the departure lounge).
Text: Paul Oligorsky, ee24.com
The full list of candidates to win in 12 nominations: http://www.istructe.org/awards/2014/the-shortlist
Photo: istructe.org, unis.livejournal.com