Tongji Architectural Design recognised by the Institution of Structural Engineers for the innovative transformation of the Tibetan Art Museum, winning the supreme award for structural engineering excellence at the 2024 Structural Awards.
The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) today announces the winners of the Structural Awards 2024, celebrating some of the world’s most remarkable achievements in structural engineering.
This year’s top honour, the 2024 Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence, was awarded to Tongji Architectural Design (Group) Co., Ltd for their outstanding work on the Tibetan Art Museum in Lhasa, Tibet. As one of China’s leading design and consultancy firms, Tongji Group’s innovative approach to structural challenges has set a new standard in the field.
The Tibetan Art Museum, located on the world’s highest plateau at an altitude of 3,800 metres, presented a unique engineering challenge in a remote and ecologically sensitive environment. Tongji Group’s design transformed a former 1960s cement factory into a state-of-the-art museum, blending cultural preservation with modern engineering techniques.
Judged across four key pillars—Planet, People, Process, and Profession—this year’s supreme award winner reflects IStructE’s evolving focus on the environmental and societal role of structural engineers. The Tibetan Art Museum stood out for its commitment to sustainability, minimal intervention, and seismic resilience, aligning perfectly with these criteria.
A key challenge of the project was upgrading the existing factory buildings, which had insufficient concrete strength, to meet modern seismic standards. Tongji’s innovative solutions included strategic strengthening, the installation of damping systems, and base isolation, all designed to work seamlessly with the original structures. This careful approach minimised the need for new construction, significantly reducing the environmental impact on the fragile Tibetan Plateau.
The judges praised the project as an “inspiring example of transformative reuse and seismic strengthening in a challenging environment”, commending Tongji Group’s dedication to sustainable construction and structural ingenuity.
In addition to the supreme award, 10 other projects were recognised for their significant contributions to structural engineering, showcasing excellence in areas such as innovation, social impact, and sustainability. All winning projects demonstrated the integration of environmentally friendly solutions, with a particular focus on reducing embodied carbon in construction.
Prominent winners included Schlaich Bergermann Partner, Structure Design Ltd & Phoenix Consulting Ltd, Holmes NZ LP, SD Engineers, Design ID, Arup, and T/E/S/S atelier d’ingénierie, all of whom were honoured for their exceptional contributions to the field.
Professor John Orr, chair of the judging panel and chartered member of the IStructE, commented on this year’s winners: “A massive congratulations to the Tongji team. Their work on the Tibetan Art Museum exemplifies the critical role that structural engineers play in shaping the future, with the ability to address complex social and environmental challenges. Their ingenuity and precision in seismic retrofitting are truly commendable.”
“This year’s awards also recognised a wealth of other inspiring projects, all characterised by their intelligent use of materials, circular design principles, and low-carbon construction. Our judging framework, focused on key attributes, highlights how structural engineers are driving innovation towards a safer, more sustainable built environment.”
The winners were announced on 8 November 2024 during the awards ceremony in London.