Press Release
12.03.2014
Today, on World Concrete Day, the Estonian Concrete Association announced the winners of the Concrete Construction of the Year 2013 competition at Tallinn University.
Concrete Construction of the Year 2013 – the reconstruction of the Ülemiste crossing.
First award of the competition – AS K-Projekt (chief engineer)
– category “Contracting party” – Tallinn Municipal Engineering Services Department;
– category “Structures” – OÜ Estkonsult, OÜ Järelpinge Inseneribüroo;
– category “Constructor” – AS Merko Ehitus Eesti, AS Ehitusfirma Rand ja Tuulberg;
– category “Concrete” – AS Betoonimeister, AS Rudus;
– category “Formwork” – AS Peri, OÜ Doka Eesti.
In the Estonian context, the Ülemiste crossing is a large-scale and complex infrastructure – the most massive intersection solution, preparing the ground for the Ülemiste district developing into the most important transport hub in Tallinn and Estonia (Rail Baltic, tram connection with the airport, etc.).
Structurally, the most challenging part of the crossing was a 680 metre road tunnel which runs underground for 320 metres. To construct the tunnel, works were constantly carried out in a zone with a high level of surface water, the lowest point being 16 metres below the surface of Ülemiste Lake.
Another important structure included in the Ülemiste crossing is a 150 metre overpass. The overpass is built on boxed girders with varying heights, made of reinforced and post-tensioned concrete.
Aadu Kana, chairman of the jury: “We are glad to see that all submitted concrete constructions are excellent! Very nice and quality concrete surfaces achieved in extremely complex conditions.
The Ülemiste crossing aptly illustrates how indispensable concrete is in modern construction.”
Project manager and constructor award – Vladimir Issakov, ISA Group OÜ – for the professional and well-organised management of concrete works at an Orthodox church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hearken” in Lasnamäe.
Although initially the church was designed as a brick construction, a fact clearly reflected in its layout, it is every inch a concrete structure.
Jury’s comment: thanks to the insight of construction manager Vladimir Issakov and his excellent reasoning and persuasion skills, the contracting party took the only right decision – to use concrete. Later, the decision proved to be a wise one: four times, the construction process was interrupted and the structure conserved due to lack of funds. The church was completed in a total of eight years.
Aadu Kana, chairman of the jury: “Just imagine the outcome, if this decision – to use concrete – had not been taken back then!”
Constructor award – AS TEEDE REV-2– Jõhvi overpass – for transforming an excellent solution in architectural and engineering terms into a likable structure.
Jury’s comment: architecturally interesting solution, a great example of combining architecture and engineering. This is a simple, minimalistic, nice-looking and likeable structure in which Jõhvi can certainly take pride. Quality concrete surfaces with an excellent finish. The quality is even better than usually seen in concrete buildings.
Energy efficiency award by Swedbank – Salto Architecture Bureau – for the Viljandi State Gymnasium building.
For the first time, at the Concrete Construction of the Year competition, Swedbank gave an award in the category of energy efficiency. Swedbank presented the architecture bureau with 400 euros for training purposes.
According to Mats Toots, head of Swedbank’s building materials industry sector, the bank strives to pay attention to the increasingly important concept of energy efficiency and to raise the consciousness of all stakeholders on the matter. “Energy efficiency requires a comprehensive approach and planning from all parties concerned from as early as in the initial phase of a project. Clearly, energy efficient solutions create value which should be an integral part of each modern and functional building. After all, energy efficiency does not concern only the ones using the structure, but also all of us who consume energy and pay for it,” said Mats Toots. “As for Viljandi gymnasium, it is worth highlighting that the solution ticks all the boxes in terms of artistic appearance, heritage conservation and energy efficiency. This inspiring schoolhouse influences the lives of a great number of people, only adding to my joy over this positive example,” he added.
The Estonian Association of Civil Engineers award – Estkonsult OÜ constructors’ team – for the tunnels’ project of Ülemiste crossing.
Award by Ehitaja magazine – OÜ Tilts Eesti Filiaal – for quality concrete work in constructing the Jõhvi overpass.
Readers’ choice award by portal Ehitusuudised.ee – ABB office and production facility.
The Concrete Construction of the Year competition, this year held for the 14thtime, was launched to inform the wider public of the many amazing uses of concrete and to recognise those who have used this traditional building material – versatile and mouldable concrete – to bring their ideas to life.
This year, nine entries were submitted to the competition. Concrete constructions as well as structures and processes utilised in them delivered to the contracting party in 2013 were eligible for entry in the competition.
The jury of the Concrete Construction of the Year 2013 competition included representatives of professional construction associations – Johannes Pello from the Concrete Association of Estonia, Raivo Kotov from the Union of Estonian Architects, Indrek Peterson from the Estonian Association of Construction Entrepreneurs, Heiki Meos from the Estonian Association of Civil Engineers, Enno Rebane from the Association of Construction Material Producers of Estonia, Andres Saar and Aadu Kana, chairman of the jury, from the Estonian Association of Architectural and Consulting Engineering companies, but also representatives of building magazines – Eva Kiisler from Ehitaja magazine, Rain Uusen from Postimees daily and Finnish architect Maritta Koivisto from Betoni magazine.
The Concrete Association of Estonia, promoting the use of concrete as a traditionally Estonian building material, is a union with 48 companies, organisations and private persons as its members.
The Association of Construction Material Producers of Estonia is a union of entrepreneurs engaging in the production and sales of building materials, and has 64 companies as its members.
Additional information:
Aadu Kana, chairman of the jury of the Concrete Construction of the Year 2013 competition, honorary member of the Concrete Association of Estonia
Tel: 5049 477
Peeter Kokk, CEO of the Concrete Association of Estonia
Tel: 5187 198; 6481 918; e-mail: betoon@betoon.org
Enno Rebane, CEO of the Association of Construction Material Producers of Estonia
Tel: 5182 662; 6481 918; e-mail:
eetl@eetl.ee
www.betoon.org http://localhost/betoonx/ab-2013-nominendid/
www.eetl.ee
