Awards reflect a good year for Ramboll's geotechnical teams

Throughout 2017, Ramboll implemented initiatives for knowledge sharing and technical advancement and took part in STEM activities. Leaders and members of ground engineering teams in the UK are supporting the Geological Society’s Girls into Geoscience initiative, the Women in Science and Engineering group. See our leaflet for the event featuring eight Ramboll women  working in geoscience.

The Ground Engineering (GE) 2018 awards in June featured Ramboll in four categories:

Sustainability - We are delighted to be on the Sustainability category shortlist again with the Walthamstow Wetlands Reedbeds project where we provided environmental, hydrological, engineering and geotechnical services for the development of the reserve’s new reed beds. (Last year we won the Sustainability Award with Skanska for the Bermondsey Dive Under.)

Consultant of the Year (which we won in 2012). Our nomination for 2018 cites active engagement with external bodies such as Offshore Geotechnical Competency Group and PIANC, as well as recent GE work including: Argent’s Kings Cross Central master-plan; Port Nador West Med, a new petrochemical and container port on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast; and support for 23 British Antarctic Survey projects in Antarctica and the UK.

Geotechnical Project £1m-£3m - The Fruit & Wool Exchange, London with Sir Robert McAlpine and John F Hunt. This new development is a six-storey mixed-use office and retail building with a 6.5m deep basement. The works included demolition of the existing structures and installation of sheet piled retaining walls to enable excavation of the new 6.5m deep basement. Crossrail tunnels (Elizabeth Line) and other subterranean assets are located beneath the site. Project Manager Richard Miller said: “At an early design stage, Ramboll Ground Engineering engaged with third parties whose assets lie within 3m of the sheet pile walls. By ensuring works were undertaken according to the specification and by undertaking impact assessments, we were able to provide confidence that the new development would not damage the adjacent subterranean assets and retained façade.”

Project of the Decade - The Queensferry Crossing shortlisting results from it winning Ground Engineering Project of the Year in 2015. Stephen West, UK Director Ground Engineering, commented: “I’m delighted the ground engineering work on this project is recognised. The design of the foundations was a real collaborative triumph for Ramboll, with teams from UK and Denmark (bridges, marine, and environment & health) contributing to the project. It shows what can be achieved when we share a common goal, and winning Project of the Decade would be a real feather in the cap for the whole of Ramboll.”

Special mentions

Team members deserving special mentions are: Claire Barr for Walthamstow Wetlands; Jai Shah for Fruit & Wool Exchange; Beccy Cusworth, and Jenny Symons for educational out-reach as Polar STEM Ambassadors, Jenny Symons for Queensferry Crossing; and Ian Lewis in relation to PIANC.

Results

Ramboll won three categories of the prestigious GE awards: Consulting Firm of the Year; Sustainability Award for Walthamstow Wetlands Reedbeds; and Project of the Decade for our work on The Queensferry Crossing.

Judges crowned Ramboll 'Consulting Firm of the Year' because:

• The examples presented showed benefits for clients, stakeholders and communities demonstrating a holistic approach to projects.
• The example of collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey showed a high level of long term partnering and collaborative working. This was also being used very effectively to inspire other staff and school children.
• Repeat business with clients showed very good relationship development and reflected an understanding of stakeholder and community involvement.
• Ramboll demonstrated strong growth in marine work off the back of a successful project in Morocco that saved six months on the programme and associated cost savings.

[Originally published 9 March. Updated 12 June 2018, and 6 July 2018]