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Awards

We receive recognition for the biggest initiatives shaping a better world

Research

Interested in researching with us?

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Research

Interested in researching with us?

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Explore our awards

Our recent awards showcase our commitment to making a global impact through research and innovation across the built environment. These awards recognise the contributions of our multi-disciplinary research teams, our cutting-edge innovations, and our impact in the industry.

Urban Childhoods wins for 'Best Use of Thought Leadership' at MCA 2020

The design of the urban environment can have a significant impact on the life outcomes of children raised in these spaces. In many cities, urban design for children has focused on little more than building playgrounds.

Through 40 case studies, Arup researchers investigated how cities around the world are providing for children, against factors such as time spent outdoors, contact with nature and independent travel. The report then drew on best practice to provide recommended interventions for city leaders and built environment professionals.

The research was honoured at the prestigious MCA Awards. Project research leader: Felicitas zu Dohna

Award recipients: Felicitas zu Dohna & Sara Candiracci

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Research awards 2019-20

Research awards 2019-20

Bio-Composite System for interior fit-outs

Finalist

Demand for renewable building materials is growing, yet customers expect quality to match traditional products. Working with biotech start-up Mogu, an Arup team led by Jan Wurm developed a renewable bio-composite material with excellent sound absorption qualities that can be used for interior fittings.

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New-gen City Air Purification System

Gold Medal

Winning Gold Medal for the second year in a row, CAPS II is an air purification system for roadside locations like bus shelters. The IoT-ready shelter draws polluted air through a filter before releasing a ‘curtain’ of cleaner air from an overhead canopy.

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New-gen City Air Purification System

Industrial Design Prize

Bus and tram shelters expose users to air pollution. To address this problem, Arup and Sino Group created CAPS II, an internet-connected air purification system that draws roadside air through a filter then releases it as a ‘curtain’ of cleaner air from an overhead canopy.

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ReWild Our Planet

Silver Award

Initiatives that aim to increase environmental awareness must set an example themselves. Arup was invited to design the structure and acoustics of the ReWild our Planet educational AR experience. Our engineers created a low carbon footprint structure that aligned with the project’s environmental goals.

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ReWild Our Planet

Gold Award

ReWild Our Planet is in immersive educational experience that helps visitors understand their impact on the environment. In order to lead by example, Arup engineers were invited to design the physical structure of ReWild Our Planet with the lowest possible carbon footprint.

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ReWild Our Planet

Best Use of Augmented Reality

The prestigious Webby Awards recognise excellence in internet design. Working in collaboration with partners PHORIA, Google, Netflix and WWF, Arup provided acoustic and structural design support for ReWild Our Planet, an immersive AR experience that lets visitors see their impact on the environment.

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ReWild Our Planet

People’s Choice Award

ReWild Our Planet is an immersive AR educational experience that helps visitors understand their impact on the planet. Arup worked with partners PHORIA, Google, WWF and Netflix and provided the acoustic and structural engineering elements of the project, helping win the prestigious Webby Award.

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Designing Cities for Urban Childhoods

Best Use of Thought Leadership

The design of cities can have an enormous influence on the life chances of children raised in them. Arup conducted research into best practice worldwide, undertook primary research and generated recommendations around urban planning for children – which has already fed into policy in major cities.

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Making Cities Safer for Girls and Women

Community Engagement Excellence

Melbourne, one of the world’s most liveable cities isn’t equally liveable for everyone. This research collaboration on lighting in cities for women and girls, uses lived experience alongside innovative digital data and co-design workshops to influence design for lighting cities so that they are inclusive and safe for everyone.

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ReWild Our Planet wins big at the Webby Awards

It can be very challenging for individuals to relate to notions of environmental damage. To address this challenge, Arup collaborated with Netflix, Google, PHORIA and WWF on the creation of ReWild our Plant, a 40-minute augmented reality experience that lets visitors explore humanity’s impact on the planet and learn how they can act.

Arup was engaged to provide support on acoustic engineering and soundscape design for the project. Engineers were also involved in the construction of the exhibition space itself, using low carbon impact techniques.

The collaboration won the prestigious Webby Awards for excellence on the internet.

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Research awards 2017-18

Research awards 2017-18

AIU (Air Induction Unit)

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

The AIU is a bladeless fan developed by Arup engineer Dr Vincent Cheung. Unlike mechanical fans or HVAC, the AIU induces large volume airflows that spread evenly throughout a space and uses far less energy than traditional systems. IET judges commended its simplicity and efficiency.

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AIU (Air Induction Unit)

Gold Pin Award

Arup engineer Dr Vincent Cheung received the prestigious Gold Pin Award for the AIU, a bladeless fan which distributes air more evenly, with less noise and greater efficiency than standard fans and HVAC units. Suitable for indoor and semi-outdoor spaces, it generates a comfortable breeze.

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City Air Purification System

Gold Medal

CAPS addresses the problem of air pollution in roadside locations like bus stops. A collaboration between Arup and Sino Group, CAPS uses solar powered fans to draw kerb-level air through a filter then releases it from an overhead canopy, cutting particulate matter by around 50%.

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3D Housing 05

Best Sustainability Award

A third of landfill is generated by the construction industry, so a less wasteful approach is needed. Working with an Italian architect, Arup built the first 3D printed structure in Europe. 3D printers let builders know exactly how much material is needed, thereby reducing waste.

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72 Hour Bridge

World Innovation in Bridge Engineering

Bridge projects typically require months to complete and cause extensive disruption. Working with university and industry partners, Arup helped develop an innovative pre-fabricated bridge construction technique that cuts installations down to just 3 days, potentially saving $ millions. This breakthrough won the inaugural WIBE award.

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Optus Perth Stadium Sports Park

Best Sports and Recreation

BIM is a relatively new approach to construction project management, so Arup and industry partners were engaged to formulate the BIM strategy for Peth’s new multi-sport stadium. Arup was recognised for developing a streamlined delivery workflow and for meeting the state’s aspiration of LOD 500.

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C40 City Report

Best Use of Thought Leadership – Highly commended

The impact of cities on climate change has long been underestimated. Research conducted by Arup, C40 and the University of Leeds revealed the true extent of urban emissions. The report also provided several actionable recommendations that city mayors could take to directly reduce their impact.

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Cost-benefit Analysis for Mandating Heavy Goods Vehicle Direct Vision Requirements

Social and Environmental Value

HGV’s are responsible for a disproportionate number of accidents on urban roads. In this ground-breaking study, Arup operations consultants, psychologists and academic partners provided crucial evidence of why HGV drivers are less likely to spot pedestrians and cyclists. The findings influenced UK and EU policy.

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Hybrid Outrigger System

Construction Productivity Award – Joint winner

Outriggers are widely used in tall buildings, yet extensive use of steel makes them expensive. The Hybrid Outrigger system designed by Arup is a world-first which combines a concrete outrigger wall, steel bracing and a structural fuse. The hybrid outrigger cuts steel usage by 10%.

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Treatment for Priority Water Borne Pollutants

Young Victoria Water Professional of the Year: 

Pollutants in ground and drinking water are a significant public health concern. Arup process engineer Gabby Butera won the Research Innovation Award for her study into several contaminants which had been little studied in Australia. Her research also identified treatments to filter them out.

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Hybrid Fan Coil Unit Heating and Cooling System

Big Innovation Pitch Award – Joint Winner

Artus is an innovative rethink of how air conditioning units can work. The Arup design overhauled the heat exchanger and fan configuration of traditional units, making for a quieter, more efficient module which takes up less space in ceiling voids. It also reduces operating costs.

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New-Gen City Air Purification System receives praise at the 46th International Exhibitions of Inventions

Citizens waiting at roadside locations such as tram and bus shelters are exposed to significant quantities of air pollution.

CAPS II is an air purification system designed specifically to protect users of these spaces from fine particulate matter.

The patented Arup design pulls polluted air through a filter at the base of the IoT enabled shelter, before releasing an ‘air curtain’ of cleaner air from a canopy overhead. This reduces particulate matter in the shelter by 50% on average.

The invention has received multiple accolades around the world.

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Research awards 2010-16

Research awards 2010-16

Shaping Ageing Cities

RTPI Research Excellence – Finalist

As the population gets older, urban areas must adapt to the needs of ageing residents. However, there is a shortage of reliable data available. Stefano Recalcati’s comparative study of 10 European cities set out to analyse how different cities were responding to older people’s needs.

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AIU (Air Induction Unit)

Building Products and Technologies – Grand Award

Ventilation is crucial for comfort in hot environments, yet standard fans and air conditioning units are uneven and inefficient. The Arup-invented Air Induction Unit won the prestigious Hong Kong Green Building Award thanks to its energy efficient design that induces large volume, even airflow.

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AIU (Air Induction Unit)

Multiple Buildings – Merit Award

Interiors and semi-outdoor areas become uncomfortable in the heat, yet standard fans and HVAC systems are inefficient and energy intensive. The Arup-designed AIU received the QBA Merit Award for its even distribution of large volumes of air while cutting energy use by 65%.

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Lighting in the Urban Age

Best use of Thought Leadership – Highly commended

Urban lighting is a source of carbon emissions and light pollution affects inhabitants. Arup conducted multidisciplinary research into the impact of urban lighting and explored policies and practice around the world. The research also provided case studies of innovative approaches to urban lighting.

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BioBuild

JEC Innovation Award – Winner

The manufacturing of construction materials is a major source of carbon emissions. Designed by Jan Wurm and partners, BioBuild is the world’s first self-supporting façade panel for construction made entirely from renewable natural resources like flax, hemp and jute. It won the Construction category award.

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AIU (Air Induction Unit)

Innovation and Creativity – Grand Award

In hot and humid environments, fans and air conditioning systems are commonly used yet are energy intensive and distribute air unevenly. The quiet and energy efficient Air Induction Unit was designed by Dr Vincent Cheung and circulates air evenly around outdoor and semi-outdoor spaces.

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City Air Purification System

CIC Innovation Award – Second Prize

Air pollution is a serious irritant for commuters in roadside locations like bus stops. CIC Innovation Award finalist CAPS uses a solar powered fan that pulls road site air through a filter before releasing it from an overhead canopy, reducing particle matter in these spaces.

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SolarLeaf and BIQ

Applied Innovation Award – Shortlist

As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, a broad mix of energy sources is needed. Jan Wurm collaborated with industry partners to develop a demonstrator of SolarLeaf, a world-first bio-reactive building façade. SolarLeaf generates power and heat from algal biomass and solar thermal.

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Wireless Charging for Electric Vehicles

Award for Excellence in the field of Environmental Technology

Electric vehicles must be plugged in to charge up. However, HaloIPT, a firm backed by Arup, has developed a wireless unit which charges batteries whenever an EV passes above. The concept is aimed at parked cars but could eventually be used on electrified roads too.

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LifeCycle Tower

Research and Innovation – Finalist

There is growing interest in timber as a renewable building material, yet relatively little is known about its application in high-rises. An Arup team working on the LifeCycle Tower, an Austrian timber structure, studied the building to generate knowledge of timber building practices for industry.

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