Winner:Mizen Head Bridge

Project Client: Fáilte Ireland / Cork County Council / The Commissioners of Irish Lights
Project Engineer: RPS Consulting Engineers
Project Contractor: Irishenco
Major Suppliers: Drimoleague Concrete Works

This can only be described as a wonderfully unique project undertaken in a breathtaking and dramatic setting but also an extremely intimidating construction location. Not for the faint hearted!
Every step of the construction process required considerable thought, planning and collaboration between designers and the contractor to help deliver this one off innovative project. The Designer and Contractor are to be complimented for a magnificent achievement.
Special praise also to the workers for producing a high quality finish involving some complex details, in a very exposed and challenging environment. Quite simply Engineering at its best.
A magnificent piece of Engineering that not only fulfils the requirements for the Commissioners of Irish Lights and Cork County Council but also provides a mechanism for millions of tourists in the years to come to enjoy the stunning scenery and thrill of crossing this iconic structure over a 150 foot gorge.

Winner:Bord Gáis Networks Services Centre

Project Client: Bord Gáis Networks
Project Architect: Denis Byrne Architects
Project Engineer: Buro Happold
Project Contractor: Walls Construction
Major Suppliers: SMG Construction / Kilsaran / Roadstone Wood

In the Design of the Networks Service Centre Bord Gáis set out to achieve a development that demonstrated their commitment to environmental protection, energy conservation and sustainability. It is fair to say that this goal was truly achieved in the Design and Construction of this fine project.
The extensive use of exposed concrete is an integral part of this solution where exposed concrete slabs form a high thermal mass for the building which is used as a space conditioning system. The heating and cooling of the building is via pipe coils cast into the slabs from a ground source heat pump. Ventilation is achieved with the help of sloping concrete soffits to an exposed concrete chimney.
All of these sustainable developments which are only a flavour of the sustainable elements incorporated in the project could not have been achieved without the high use of exposed concrete. The finish achieved in the concrete throughout the building was of an exceptionally high standard.

Winner:Extension at Martin Street, Dublin

Project Client: Private
Project Architect: Donal Colfer Architects
Project Engineer: David Maher & Associates
Project Contractor: M.B. Suineireacht
Major Suppliers: CEMEX Ireland

“The works are designed with an understanding of the construction process and executed with a level of skill and precision unusual in a small domestic project .The use of insitu concrete for structure, plinths and floors affords a level of refinement and permanence to the spaces which complements the carefully made quality of these brick terraces.”

Winner:The Copper Box, Olympic Park, London

Project Client: Olympic Development Authority
Major Suppliers: Banagher Precast Concrete

The Jury gives the award to the “Copper Box” for the technical excellence demonstrated by the use of precast concrete as well as the significant achievement in persuading the Client and Design Team that Banagher Concrete was the best company to deliver a high quality concrete solution for a building that was originally designed in structural steel.
The precast concrete solution also provided a simpler structural solution with the transfer of loads reducing the weight of steel frame by 130tons equating to significant reduction in embodied energy.
Banagher Concrete’s knowledge and experience in producing precast units of the highest quality in Ireland and transporting them overseas to deliver a sustainable project on time and within budget has greatly enhanced the international profile of Irish Companies.

Winner:Brian O'Riordan, Cork Institute of Technology

Detailing and curtailment of steel reinforcement to Eurocode 2
The winning project “compared design codes BS 8110 and EN 1992 which are utilised in reinforced concrete design and detailing. Brian’s understanding of his subject shone through in his project as he developed Excel spreadsheets to create a simplified set of rules for the curtailment and detailing of reinforced concrete. This project would make a useful reference document for many practising engineers”