Press Release
\n12.03.2014<\/p>\n
Today, on World Concrete Day, the Estonian Concrete Association announced the winners of the Concrete Construction of the Year 2013 competition at Tallinn University.<\/p>\n
Concrete Construction of the Year 2013 \u2013 the reconstruction of the \u00dclemiste crossing. – category \u201cContracting party\u201d \u2013 Tallinn Municipal Engineering Services Department;<\/p>\n – category \u201cStructures\u201d \u2013 O\u00dc Estkonsult, O\u00dc J\u00e4relpinge Insenerib\u00fcroo;<\/p>\n – category \u201cConstructor\u201d \u2013 AS Merko Ehitus Eesti, AS Ehitusfirma Rand ja Tuulberg;<\/p>\n – category \u201cConcrete\u201d \u2013 AS Betoonimeister, AS Rudus;<\/p>\n – category \u201cFormwork\u201d \u2013 AS Peri, O\u00dc Doka Eesti.<\/p>\n In the Estonian context, the \u00dclemiste crossing is a large-scale and complex infrastructure \u2013 the most massive intersection solution, preparing the ground for the \u00dclemiste district developing into the most important transport hub in Tallinn and Estonia (Rail Baltic, tram connection with the airport, etc.).<\/p>\n 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 \u00dclemiste Lake.<\/p>\n Another important structure included in the \u00dclemiste crossing is a 150 metre overpass. The overpass is built on boxed girders with varying heights, made of reinforced and post-tensioned concrete.<\/p>\n Aadu Kana<\/strong>, chairman of the jury: \u201cWe are glad to see that all submitted concrete constructions are excellent! Very nice and quality concrete surfaces achieved in extremely complex conditions.<\/p>\n The \u00dclemiste crossing aptly illustrates how indispensable concrete is in modern construction.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Project manager and constructor award \u2013 Vladimir Issakov, ISA Group O\u00dc \u2013 <\/strong>for the professional and well-organised management of concrete works at an Orthodox church of the Icon of the Mother of God \u201cQuick to Hearken\u201d in Lasnam\u00e4e.<\/p>\n Although initially the church was designed as a brick construction, a fact clearly reflected in its layout, it is every inch a concrete structure.<\/p>\n 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 \u2013 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.<\/p>\n Aadu Kana<\/strong>, chairman of the jury: \u201cJust imagine the outcome, if this decision \u2013 to use concrete \u2013 had not been taken back then!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Constructor award \u2013 AS TEEDE REV-2<\/strong>\u2013 J\u00f5hvi overpass \u2013 for transforming an excellent solution in architectural and engineering terms into a likable structure.<\/p>\n Jury\u2019s comment: architecturally interesting solution, a great example of combining architecture and engineering. This is a simple, minimalistic, nice-looking and likeable structure in which J\u00f5hvi can certainly take pride. Quality concrete surfaces with an excellent finish. The quality is even better than usually seen in concrete buildings.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Energy efficiency award by Swedbank \u2013 Salto Architecture Bureau \u2013 for the Viljandi State Gymnasium building.<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n According to Mats Toots,\u00a0<\/strong>head of Swedbank\u2019s 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.\u00a0\u201cEnergy 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,\u201d said Mats Toots. \u201cAs 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,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Estonian Association of Civil Engineers award\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 Estkonsult O\u00dc constructors\u2019 team \u2013 for the tunnels\u2019 project of \u00dclemiste crossing.<\/strong><\/p>\n Award by Ehitaja magazine \u2013 O\u00dc Tilts Eesti Filiaal <\/strong>\u2013 for quality concrete work in constructing the J\u00f5hvi overpass.<\/p>\n Readers\u2019 choice award by portal Ehitusuudised.ee \u2013 ABB office and production facility.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Concrete Construction of the Year competition, this year held for the 14th<\/sup>time, 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 \u2013 versatile and mouldable concrete \u2013 to bring their ideas to life.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The jury of the Concrete Construction of the Year 2013 competition included representatives of professional construction associations \u2013 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 \u2013 Eva Kiisler from Ehitaja magazine, Rain Uusen from Postimees daily and Finnish architect Maritta Koivisto from Betoni magazine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>First award of the competition \u2013 AS K-Projekt (chief engineer)<\/p>\n