Structural and civil engineering consultancy Curtins Consulting Ltd has received ACE’s Engineering Excellence Property Award for the part it played in the redevelopment of the iconic Fort Dunlop in Birmingham.
This is the second award the company have received for the project, having already been awarded The ISE NW Branch Joint Commendation for a Project constructed outside the North West 2007.
Curtins, with 11 offices strategically located across the Country, were bought on to the project from the outset by developers Urban Splash to undertake early feasibility studies to prove its cost effectiveness.
The vast former tyre warehouse that sits near the M6 was originally constructed in 1925 and had sat derelict for 25 years before the £40m project transformed it in to a mixed use development, providing serviced office and retail facilities. 
Every aspect of the architecture had to be carefully considered by Curtins from a structural engineering point of view and due to the vast scale and age of the building there were major challenges to overcome, something achieved by working closely with the Urban Splash Build team.
These included ensuring each of the subdivisions within the expansive floor plates received sufficient light and air, and that each compartment could be easily accessed.
Curtins also designed a scheme to replace the original roof with a new glazed steel structure set back from the original wall line, and then put 20m span beams into place to support the largest roof garden in the UK.
Anthony Clarke, project director for the scheme, said: “The approach architects Shed KM took with this project was radical rather than just an office conversion so the concrete encased steel framed building required major structural alterations.
“Our team faced a number of challenges and worked hard on this project so we are delighted that our efforts have been recognised and rewarded.”
Guy Jackson of Urban Splash Build said: “Urban Splash is extremely proud of what has been delivered at Fort Dunlop and we must thank the efforts and commitment of our sub contractors in achieving that. We would like to congratulate Curtins on their award and look forward to maintaining our relationship with them in the future.”