Construction professionals
across the industry have weighed in, revealing their picks for the UK’s most
impressive engineering marvels of the 21st century.
The findings, based on a
survey of over 500 industry pros, are part of a broader study on sector
achievements and satisfaction, spearheaded by Hubexo UKI’s NBS
and Glenigan,
both leading technology platforms for construction.
Though tightly contested,
professionals crowned The Shard, an iconic gem on London’s skyline, the most
impressive engineering feat of the century (35%).
As the tallest building in the
UK, The Shard was chosen for its groundbreaking construction techniques,
including innovative top-down building methods, solidifying its status as a
modern engineering marvel. Incredibly, 95% of the construction materials used
in the building are recycled.
Interestingly, The Shard's
popularity soared among professionals at larger construction firms (£50-100
million turnover), highlighting their admiration for its size and scale. Over
half (57%) ranked the skyscraper as their top choice.
Close behind was the 2012
Olympics, with nearly one in three (31%) praising its mix of innovation,
sustainability, and urban transformation as the top engineering achievement in
the last 100 years. Built on a former industrial site, engineers transformed
polluted land into a thriving, sustainable complex, featuring wetlands, green
spaces, and renewable energy systems.
The stadium itself was
standout, designed to be lightweight and modular, and its use of recycled
materials set new standards in sustainable construction.
Just shy of third place was
the Battersea Power Station redevelopment (30%), celebrated for retaining its
Art Deco charm while showcasing cutting-edge heating and cooling innovation.
Professionals praised its CHP network, seamlessly delivering efficient HVAC and
electricity to the vibrant mixed-use complex.
Other projects of note were
the UK’s Crossrail project (28%), now known as the Elizabeth Line, one of
Europe’s largest infrastructure projects, which revolutionised transport in
London and its surrounding regions, and London’s Super Sewer (17%), designed to
capture 39 million tons of untreated sewage annually.
Dr Stephen Hamil, Innovation
Director at NBS said: “This century has so far delivered some of the most
iconic and groundbreaking building projects ever. Yet, for industry insiders,
The Shard still stands tall as one of the UK’s most impressive feats of design
and engineering.
“The rise of digital
construction and building product data sets the stage for groundbreaking new
projects – with the likes of the Houses of Parliament Restoration and One
Undershaft still to come to fruition, it’s an exciting time for anyone working
in design and construction.”
