Westralia Square 2 (WS2) in Perth has been shortlisted for a major structural award from the Institution of Structural Engineers (IstructE).
The IStructE annual awards program highlights the most innovative, sustainable, and socially impactful structural engineering projects across the world.
WS2 is an 11-storey timber-steel hybrid commercial development constructed in constrained conditions over an existing 5-storey basement parking structure.
Detailed analysis of the ground before starting construction on Westralia Square 2 minimised the strengthening works to the existing structure.
An innovative lightweight floor of steel and timber slabs coupled with mass dampers effectively reduced vibration and minimised the weight of the new storeys, and massively reduced waste.
The IstructE Awards spotlight 30 of the most groundbreaking projects from around the globe.
Building on the momentum of previous years, this year’s shortlist continues to showcase sustainability, ethical standards, and technical innovation – cornerstones that reflect the evolving responsibilities and contributions of today’s structural engineering community.
The awards maintain a focus on the four judging attributes introduced in 2022: Planet (environmental impact), People (social value), Process (technical innovation), and Profession (collaboration and advocacy).
These attributes, which have resonated strongly within the engineering community, are shaping a future where structural engineering plays a central role in addressing global challenges.
The shortlisted projects were meticulously evaluated by a panel of esteemed judges, chaired by Professor John Orr, Professor of Structural Engineering at Cambridge University and a Chartered member of IStructE.
The new judging criteria reflect the profession’s increasing focus on sustainability, social impact, and the transformative use of materials.
Professor Orr said: “The structural engineering profession stands at the forefront of addressing global challenges, whether through innovative designs that minimise environmental impact or through projects that enhance the quality of life for communities.”
He continued: “The awards celebrate the incredible talent and vision within the structural engineering community, setting a benchmark for future projects worldwide. I hope this shortlist continues to inspire current and future generations of engineers, driving the profession forward in our shared mission to create a better world.”
The diversity of entries underscores the global reach of the awards, with projects ranging from state-of-the-art railway infrastructure to a picturesque museum on the world’s highest plateau.
Some other shortlisted projects include Charlton WorkStack in southeast London by Arup; Space House in central London by Pell Frischmann; Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture in the Bugesera District of Rwanda by MASS Design Group; and the Tibetan Art Museum in Lhasa, China, by Tongji Architectural Design.
The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony on 08 November in London, UK.