Australia’s most innovative steel designs have been recognised at the biennial Australian Steel Institute (ASI) Australian Steel Excellence Awards. The gala dinner at Sydney’s Doltone House in late November saw 26 state and territory winners (from an initial field of 85) vie for national honours in six categories: Buildings (Large Projects); Buildings (Small Projects); Innovative Cold Form Steel Building; Steel Clad Structures; Engineering Projects; and Young Designer, Detailer or Tradesperson.
The Australian Steel Excellence Awards promote excellence in Australian steel, profiling the beauty and versatility of Australian steel as a design and prime building material.
Highly regarded by industry, the awards provide an outstanding opportunity to showcase the collaboration and achievements of project teams and individuals. They play a vital role in connecting all members of the steel supply chain—from engineers, detailers and builders through to fabricators, distributors and coatings suppliers.
Allianz Stadium was named the 2022 winner in the Buildings (Large Projects) category. Submitted by consulting engineers Aurecon, the New South Wales project was recognised for clever steel engineering. Aurecon said 85% of the modular steel work for the stadium roof was put together on the pitch and lifted into position, minimising time at heights and enhancing safety. The award recognised effective collaboration and teamwork between Aurecon, construction partner John Holland and the steel supply chain on this impressive $874 million project.
Memorial Drive Tennis Centre’s sunken show court roof was named the Buildings (Small Projects) category winner. Submitted by WGA and Stevens Structural, the South Australian project saw the addition to the show court of a steel canopy roof supported on four tree columns. The harnessed dome shape saw 16 welded sections assembled onsite.
CSIRO Clean Lab was named the Steel Clad Structures category winner. Submitted by prefrabricated building component manufacturer Austruss, the country New South Wales project saw 6m high steel panels constructed at Mittagong and delivered to Narrabri seven hours away. The modular construction project represents a combination of a number of years of development and overcame major supply and delivery problems during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grattan Street Façade was named the Innovative Cold Form Steel Building category winner. Submitted by Melbourne-based light steel frame manufacturer Dynamic Steel Frame, the Victorian project boasts innovative use of light gauge steel framing on a building raked back from the street to allow additional light. The design allows deflection in the slab through scalloped floor joists over the edge of the slab and bracketry inserted onsite for ease of construction.
The Skybridge at 308 Exhibition Street was named the Engineering Projects winner. Submitted by steel construction company ArcStructural, the Victorian project included a contoured roof and architecture designed to withstand wind and seismic forces. Seven fully welded modular frames were employed to link two towers on the 46th floor of Melbourne’s Sapphire by the Gardens building.
Central Railway Station’s northern concourse roof was awarded a Special Judges Commendation in the Engineering category. Submitted by Alfabs Service, the New South Wales project saw the roof fabricated in modules and erected without the need to rely on the existing heritage-listed building for support.
Shannon Kieran from the Northern Territory was named the Young Designer, Detailer or Tradesperson winner. Employed by Aurecon, structural engineer Kieran was recognised for her design work on projects such as the Charles Darwin University education and community precinct project. Kieran said she is passionate about promoting the work of young engineers.
To be eligible for the awards, projects must have been fabricated in Australia using predominantly Australian steel, and substantially structurally completed by the end of May 2022 and not greater than two years previously.
The ASI would like to recognise both the national and state judging panels for their time and dedication. Our thanks also go to all our sponsors, without whom the awards would not have been possible.
New South Wales and ACT Winners and High Commendations
- Buildings – Large Projects: Allianz Stadium submitted by Aurecon
- High Commendation awarded to Santa Sophia Catholic College submitted by Northrop Consulting Engineers
- Buildings – Small Projects: Oceano submitted by Coastal Steel Fabrications
- High Commendation awarded to Quay Quarter Tower Spiral Stair submitted by Icon Metal
- Steel Clad Structures: CSIRO Clean Lab submitted by Austruss
- Innovative Cold Form Steel Buildings: COVID-19 Surge Centre submitted by Austruss
- Engineering Projects: Central Station Northern Concourse Roof submitted by Alfabs Services
- High Commendations awarded to Rozelle Interchange Project submitted by John Holland; and Toorale Bridge submitted by InQuik
- Young Designer, Detailer or Trades Person: Joud Berou from Chess Engineering
Queensland and Northern Territory Winners and High Commendations
- Buildings – Large Projects: Jubilee Place – submitted by Robert Bird Group & Beenleigh Steel Fabrications
- High Commendation awarded to Queens Wharf submitted by Beenleigh Steel Fabrications
- Buildings – Small Projects: Andrew N. Liveris Building submitted by Sencova Steel Fabricators
- High Commendation awarded to Calvary Christian College submitted by Fulcon Trotter Architects
- Steel Clad Structures: Bunnings Caboolture submitted by Tungsten Structures
- High Commendation awarded to Komatsu Wacol submitted by Tungsten Structures
- Innovative Cold Form Steel Buildings: Baringa State Secondary College submitted by Ultimate Steel Framing
- Engineering Projects: Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre submitted by TTW
- High Commendation awarded to Herston Quarter Heritage Precinct submitted by CSD Group Australia
- Young Designer, Detailer or Trades Person: Shannon Kieran from Aurecon
South Australia Winners and High Commendations
- Buildings – Large Projects: St Peter’s College – Big Quad Rejuvenation submitted by WGA
- High Commendation awarded to Whyalla Secondary College submitted by Aurecon
- Buildings – Small Projects: Memorial Drive Tennis Centre submitted by WGA and Stevens Structural
- Engineering Projects: Memorial Drive Tennis Centre submitted by WGA and Stevens Structural
- Young Designer, Detailer or Trades Person: Tom Quinn from GFG Liberty Primary Steel
Victoria and Tasmania Winners and High Commendations
- Buildings – Large Projects: 405 Bourke Street submitted by GFC Industries
- Buildings – Small Projects: Ned Kelly Discovery Hub submitted by WebbConsult
- Innovative Cold Form Steel Buildings: Grattan Street Façade submitted by Dynamic Steel Frame
- Engineering Projects: 308 Exhibition Street Skybridge submitted by ArcStructural
- High Commendation awarded to Eumemmerring Rail Bridge Duplication submitted by Thornton Engineering
- Young Designer, Detailer or Trades Person: Atilla Mustafa from Structural Challenge
Western Australia Winners and High Commendations
- Buildings – Large Projects: Karrinyup Shopping Centre submitted by Pritchard Francis
- Buildings – Small Projects: Fremantle Courthouse submitted by Slavin Architects
- Innovative Cold Form Steel Building: WA Schools Public Private Partnership Project submitted by MODE
- Engineering Projects: Hope Downs 4 Crusher submitted by BG&E Resources
- Young Designer, Detailer or Trades Person: Max Melling from Jasmat Steel Fabrications
