On November 14, the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) held its annual awards ceremony at Lake Side in Zurich, Switzerland. As one of the most influential industry awards in global structural engineering, this year’s ceremony attracted designers, engineers, and representatives from research institutions worldwide. The IABSE Awards recognize outstanding projects and individuals in bridge engineering, structural design, construction technology, and related research. Its award categories encompass both “Project and Technology Awards” and “Individual and Paper Awards,” comprehensively reflecting global advancements in structural engineering across innovation, safety, sustainability, and societal value.
Infrastructure Projects Lead the Way
This year’s awards showcase the diverse evolution of structural engineering, with projects ranging from small-scale structures to major infrastructure winning recognition. Among them, Sweden’s The Sheaf secured the Small Projects award, demonstrating the design potential of compact engineering. France’s Roland Garros Stadium’s movable roof claimed victory in the Small Building Structures category, highlighting the latest breakthroughs in structural mobility within sports architecture. The UK delivered standout performances across multiple categories, including the Gull Wing Bridge winning the Small Road and Railway Bridges award and the Colne Valley Viaduct triumphing in the Large Bridges category, reflecting the nation’s ongoing advancement in high-speed rail infrastructure.
China’s Shenzhen–Zhongshan Link emerged as one of the most celebrated projects of the year. The project not only received an award in the Infrastructure category but also earned the year’s highest honor, the Gold Star Award, highlighting its comprehensive leadership in project scale, construction technology, and regional transportation impact. Projects from Germany, Japan, and other countries were also recognized in categories such as Restoration Engineering and Construction Innovation. Among them, the Oder River Railway Bridge (Germany) was honored for its construction technology innovation, underscoring the engineering industry’s current emphasis on sustainable construction methods.
Top Talents Honored
Beyond engineering projects, this year’s IABSE Awards also recognize individual and academic contributions. French engineer Jacques Combault received the International Distinguished Contribution Award in recognition of his longstanding promotion of structural engineering education, research, and international collaboration. The Early Career Prize was awarded to Deepak Singla from India, demonstrating IABSE’s encouragement and support for the next generation of engineering talent. Additionally, multiple paper awards, doctoral thesis awards, and national group awards highlight the sustained vitality of the global structural engineering field in scientific innovation and knowledge exchange.
The IABSE 2025 Awards not only showcase the technical achievements of the global structural engineering community over the past year but also highlight the latest trends in engineering scale, design concepts, sustainable construction, and academic research across nations. From large-scale cross-sea passages to intricate small-scale structures, and academic breakthroughs in structural design research, this year’s award recipients collectively outline the future direction of the structural engineering industry.
