The HS2 Colne Valley Viaduct has been honoured with the Engineering Award at the 2024 Royal Fine Art Commission Trust Building Beauty Awards. The 3.4km viaduct — the UK’s longest rail bridge and a critical connection in the HS2 network — was cited by judges as a ‘tour de force, a project of such scale and ambition that it attracts superlatives.
Sitting within the Colne Valley, the design of the bridge will ultimately support high-speed trains, travelling up to 320km/h. It celebrates the architecture of engineering with a structure expressive of power, speed and function, but also sits sensitively in the unique and diverse countryside. Structural spans and pier forms respond to the lakes and woodland areas considering views of the viaduct and the human-scale experience from nearby footpaths.
In September 2024 the last of 1,000 giant concrete segments used to build the structure’s deck was fitted into place. Weighing up to 140 tonnes, each one is uniquely shaped to achieve the viaduct’s curve and the varying lengths of its 57 arch spans.
'For such a massive object it treads lightly and moves delicately — even the expansion joints are elegant, and the decking is poised on bearings. The concrete is varied in form and treatment, with smooth surfaces set off by gentle corrugation; the acoustic wings attached to the sides of the bridge are, appropriately, light and airy. There is nothing gratuitous or pedestrian here, no applied ornament. The ornament is the structure itself. The result is a breathtaking composition, its drama enhanced by its curving form as it crosses the lakes, the curve of the whole picking up the curves of the individual arches, and then each curve reflected in the water. The composition is full of such delicately expressive moments. But it is also muscular: it sees scale, strength and power as things to be celebrated, not mitigated or tamed… We need work as fine as this.'
Paul Finch, Building Beauty Awards judge
Align D, comprising Jacobs, Rendel Ingerop Pty Ltd, Align Technology and Grimshaw, led the design of the viaduct, from tender design through to scheme and detailed design, with the construction led by the Align JV — Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine and VolkerFitzpatrick Ltd and their subcontractors VSL International Ltd., Kilnbridge and KELLER VSL JV amongst others.
The Colne Valley viaduct’s construction will next move into the rail systems installation phase as it progresses towards becoming an operational part of the new high-speed railway between 2029 and 2033.
'I am delighted to receive the Fine Art Commission Trust’s Building Beauty 'engineering’ award on behalf of HS2 Ltd and the dedicated team of thousands who have demonstrated their commitment and professionalism day in, day out — whatever the weather. From the earliest days of planning the high-speed line’s route through the Colne Valley we set out to deliver a viaduct that met our Design Vision’s three guiding principles: that it works for all people to benefit and enjoy; its design has a sense of place; and stands the test of time. I believe it meets these aims, so it is extremely gratifying to see the Colne Valley viaduct achieve such prestigious recognition.'
His Royal Highness on behalf of HS2 Ltd, civil engineering project director, David Emms
'This award recognises the critical role of large-scale infrastructure to not only transform the way we travel but also, through design bring forward beauty. The design of the viaduct celebrates the architecture of engineering, balancing challenging technical demands with an elegant, refined structure that treads lightly over its unique landscape setting. This extraordinary structure is a collective solution resulting from deep collaboration, perseverance, and ingenuity across architect, engineer and contractor teams.'
Chris Patience, Principal at Grimshaw
02.12.2024
←
