Structural Steel Design Awards 2006 - Commendation for National Waterfront Museum Swansea
26-Jun-06
Billington Structures Ltd were part of the team awarded a Commendation at the 2006 Structural Steel Design Awards, along with Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Arup (Engineer), Mowlem Building (Main Contractor) and the client; National Waterfront Museum.
The project involved the refurbishment of a Grade II listed warehouse in the dockside, and the construction of a series of new-build galley spaces alongside. The refurbishment of the existing building included extensive repairs to badly corroded perimeter steelwork and sympathetic changes to the interior, opening up the exhibition spaces within. The existing steel roof trusses were retained, their triangular geometry emphasising the airness of the space and providing good distribution routes for ductwork and cabling.
Comments from the judges' included:
"This museum complex creates an excellent result with the minimum of fuss and ostentation."
"It skilfully links old and new, into a sequence of effective spaces. Crisp steelwork and glazed curtain walling play a crucially important part."
"The project has a simple, clean design that is logical in its detailing and uncompromising in its execution. The result is a classic of its type."
As far as Billington's role was concerned our 3D modelling and 'walk-through' capabilities impressed the judges, as weeks were saved on the overall construction programme by enabling designers to view a 3D computer model of the structure rather than review hundreds of steel fabrication drawings.
