The Concrete Structure of the Year has been awarded since 1970 to the construction site that best represents Finnish concrete construction at that time.
When the competition was established, suburban construction was at its busiest. At the same time, the concrete industry developed innovations and thus sought new areas of application for its products. This was reflected in the list of candidates for the first competitions, where technical solutions were emphasized.
Näsinneula from Tampere was chosen as the first Concrete Structure of the Year. Since then, winners have been found in all key areas of concrete construction: bridges, sports centers and public buildings of value to residential buildings and schools. Except for the first decade of the competition, both structural engineering and architecture have been equally emphasized in the selection criteria - without forgetting manufacturing and the construction itself.
Over the decades, the competition has awarded several internationally significant construction projects, in which Finnish architecture, structural engineering and construction have been in a leading position.
The now published celebration book, edited by Maritta Koivisto and Vesa Tompuri, covers the entire 50-year history of the Concrete Construction of the Year competition. At the same time, the work creates an overview of the development of Finnish concrete architecture and concrete technology over the decades through the competition sites.
More information: Maritta Koivisto, Betoniteollisuus ry, maritta.koivisto@betoni.com, (040) 900 3577