A ‘super-hangar’ built by REIDsteel (John Reid & Sons (Strucsteel) Ltd) at London Biggin Hill Airport has won a prestigious national award for design excellence.

The cutting-edge development – the largest and most advanced dual cantilever hangar in the UK today – claimed top honours in the 2022 Structural Steel Design Awards (SSDA).

Dorset-based 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.

It worked with main contractor, Tonbridge-based Civils Contracting Ltd, on the maintenance hangar for occupation by global aerospace giant Bombardier.

A delegation from REIDsteel – selected from all areas of the business – attended the awards ceremony in Spitalfields in London.

Simon Boyd, managing director of REIDsteel, said: “All at REIDsteel are absolutely thrilled to win this prestigious award.

“The SSDAs are a hallmark of excellence as the foremast awards in our industry and act as a real showcase for the exceptional capabilities of British design, engineering, manufacturing and construction.

“Our success is down to the whole team at REIDsteel and is a testament to the talent and commitment of every single person in the business without whom this award would not have been possible.”

Simon added: “Our ‘one team’ ethos also extended to Civils Contracting, London Biggin Hill Airport and Bombardier.

“We are proud to have worked to closely together and to see this landmark project win the recognition it so richly deserves.”

The super-hangar received an Award in the competition, which is the top accolade followed by a Commendation and then a Merit.

It was one of just five Award winners out of 21 finalists shortlisted from entries nationwide in the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) organised contest.

REIDsteel was the only company to perform both the structural design and steelwork fabrication for an Award-winning project.

Although REIDsteel has won numerous industry and business awards, including four Queen’s Awards for International Trade, it is first time the company has won the coveted SSDA Award.

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 unobstructed by supporting columns of 77,500 sq ft (7,200 sq m) each.

REIDsteel’s entry impressed judges with its innovative design and value engineering which created significant reductions in steel use and its embodied carbon content compared with alternatives, as well as its elegant facade.

The other Award winners were 1 Triton Square in London, Esperance Bridge at Kings Cross in London, Tower of Light in London and Lord Cricket Ground redevelopment.

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.