A ‘super-hanger’ built by Christchurch firm John Reid & Sons (Strucsteel) Ltd has won through to the finals of prestigious national awards.
Its development of the UK’s largest dual cantilever hanger at London Biggin Hill Airport has been shortlisted for the 2022 Structural Steel Design Awards (SSDA).
The landmark facility, built with architect and main contractor Civils Contracting Ltd, beat more than 300 entries to become a finalist in the annual competition organised by the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA).
For occupation by aerospace giant Bombardier, the hangar has been rated alongside such ‘blue-chip’ projects as the Lord’s Cricket Ground development, the Tower of Light in Manchester and the 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper in the City of London.
John Reid & Sons (Strucsteel) Ltd – known as REIDsteel – provided the design, drawing, fabrication and installation of the complete steel frame, electrically operated hangar doors and underslung cranes as well as the floor decking, cladding and glazing elements.
Simon Boyd, managing director at REIDsteel, said: “It is tremendous to see the Biggin Hill hangar on the prestigious SSDA shortlist.
“It is testament to innovation, ambition and talent of all involved in a ‘one team’ approach to developing a project of such scale and complexity.
“As the most advanced and largest dual cantilever hanger in the UK, it sets the benchmark for the highest quality maintenance facilities in aviation today.
“Biggin Hill Airport, Civils Contracting, Bombardier and the team at REIDsteel must all be congratulated for playing their part in winning this recognition. Now we’re looking forward to the awards night in September.”
The super-hangar is REIDsteel’s 11th at the airport and will be used by Bombardier for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft. It includes offices and a VIP lounge.
Its 45m cantilever trusses allow the hangar to have two 160m clear span entrances and two vast floor spaces of 77,500 sq ft (7,200 sq m) each unobstructed by supporting columns.
REIDsteel’s entry included details about the hanger’s innovative design and value engineering which created significant reductions in steel use and a reduced carbon footprint compared with alternatives.
The company is one of just two on the awards shortlist to perform both the structural design and steelwork fabrication for a project.
REIDsteel is among 21 finalists for the 54th annual awards by the BCSA, the structural steel industry’s trade body. The winners will be announced at a reception in London on September 29.
REIDsteel designs, engineers, manufactures and erects steel-framed structures of all kinds plus cladding, glazing and doors. It provides a ‘conception to completion service’ as well as value-engineering to find the most cost-effective solutions for a project.
Its portfolio includes aircraft hangars, bridges, sports stadia, and industrial and commercial buildings across the UK, Europe and the world, alongside its special projects – which include hurricane and earthquake resistant structures, car parks, defence structures, water treatment plants, the power sector, infrastructure, specialist bridges and bespoke designs.
Visit www.reidsteel.com for more details.