This year’s Structural Awards from The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) once again brought together the brightest and most visionary structural engineering projects from around the globe – and John Staves, our Managing Director was delighted to attend in his role as Chair of IStructE Limited.
A spotlight on excellence
The 2025 shortlist encompasses 34 extraordinary projects, spanning continents and disciplines. From art-installations crafted in bamboo and paper-tube to major transport hubs, to remediation of ageing infrastructure, what stands out is how structural engineering is embracing a broader purpose: sustainability, social value, and innovation.
Dynamic Equilibrium of Life (Osaka, Japan) is part of the “Arts Structures” category, and specifically uses laminated bamboo and paper-tube construction
What the judging emphasised
Entries were evaluated against four core criteria:
Planet – environmental impact
People – social value
Process – technical innovation
Profession – how the project advances our discipline
This reflects a shift in our profession: engineering isn’t just about making things stand, but about making things better.
Projects such as the RAAC remediation of a hospital in Yorkshire, and the advanced carbon-fibre-hanger bridge in Germany, are examples of engineers stepping into new territory.
Why it matters
For us working in structural engineering (and especially my own business in existing building investigations, remediation and innovation), the Structural Awards provide a powerful reminder:
That client value increasingly means sustainability and reuse.
That technical ingenuity (e.g., new materials, carbon reduction) can differentiate our work.
That the profession’s role is evolving – engineers are not just “behind the scenes”, they are shaping how buildings and infrastructure respond to today’s climate, safety and social challenges.
Fern has no supports beneath its cantilevered neck or tail, which is a first for a dinosaur display.
Reflections from John Staves
Attending this year as Chair of IStructE Limited gave me an opportunity to connect with companies pushing boundaries, but it also reaffirmed what we at Michael Aubrey Structural Engineers value:
- clarity of purpose
- practical innovation, and
- communication.
As engineers we often talk about structural integrity and load paths; these projects remind us we also need integrity in our environmental and social impact, and clear communication with clients and stakeholders.
More than anything, the event was a reminder that our profession can’t stand still. Clients expect us to keep moving forward, the environment leaves us no choice, and the industry is stronger when we continue to adapt and improve.
It was a really enjoyable evening!
