World Demolition Awards shortlist - Collaboration

(PHOTO: Ward Demolition)

World Demolition Awards 2023 - Collaboration shortlist

Despe, Italy
PROJECT: Lorenzini 8
CLIENT: Coima SGR

Contracted by real estate specialist Coima SGR, Despe demolished a complex of buildings measuring up to 30 m in height in Milan, Italy. Situated on an area of 8,700 sq m that overlooks the Olympic Village in Milan, Italy, for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The works included stripout, asbestos remediation, above and underground demolition, and structural works to multiple structures, as well as land reclamation. Due to site’s proximity to neighbouring multi-story buildings and to the nearby presence of a world-renowned biotechnology research campus, a collaborative working approach was utilised to aid the project. As a result, the works adhered to strict limits to ensure that vibrations, noise and dust did not impact or prevent the ongoing scientific research.

Independence Excavating, United States
PROJECT: Forward Innovation Center
CLIENT: Scannell Properties

Independence Excavating and its demolition and construction divisions worked alongside Scannell Properties, DiGeronimo Development and Weston Inc, as well as a dozen smaller subcontractors, to redevelop a former automotive manufacturing site with over 3.8 m sq ft of under roof space, into a new hub of industry – officially known as a Forward Innovation Center.

Independence Excavating dismantled and demolished two 1950s manufacturing plants that once housed a workforce of around 20,000 people. It also carried out extensive environmental remediation works that involved dealing with a wide variety of carcinogenic compounds including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as on-site consolidation and control of wastes like spent foundry sand.

Independence Demolition completed decommissioning, hazardous materials removal and abatement, structure demolition, and remediation activities with the civil construction stage overlapping with only a six-month head start. The company also processed and shipped over 71,000 t of scrap to recycling facilities and processed over 100,000 t of concrete for reuse on the project as building and utility aggregate.

Mainline Demolition, New Zealand
PROJECT: Fitzroy River Bridge Replacement
CLIENT: Main Roads Western Australia

Mainline Demolition was contracted to remove the Fitzroy River Bridge after it was destroyed by Cyclone Ellie in January 2023. The two-lane structure, which measured 80 m long, is a key part of a major A-road in the remote Kimberly region - one of only two roads that connect the 2.7 million people of Western Australia to the rest of the nation.

The demolition of the Fitzroy River Bridge involved the removal of a reinforced concrete deck over galvanised longitudinal steel I-beams, a steel cantilever walkway, abutments and the concrete filled raking steel pylons and concrete headstocks. The expedited works included contingency planning for guaranteed timely completion, without compromising safety, damage to temporary works, and the preservation of the natural environment.

Thompsons of Prudhoe, United Kingdom
PROJECT: South Bank Coke Oven, Redcar, UK
CLIENT: STDC (Teesworks)

Covering 4,500 acres on the banks of the River Tees in the North East of England, Teesworks is Europe’s largest brownfield site.

The South Bank Coke Oven (SBCO) project covered an area of 61,800 sq m and consisted of 88 ovens split into two batteries. Prior to Thompsons involvement, early phase dismantling works at SBCO in 2019 led to an explosion that tragically resulted in the fatalities of two workers on site.

Upon its appointment to the project, Thompsons carried out an assessment of all hazardous waste material, in accordance with Technical Guidance WM2 Hazardous Waste 2nd edition and undertake Waste Acceptance Criteria testing.

Due to public sensitivity, the hazardous nature of the project, the presence of railway lines, and a fixed blowdown event date, Thompsons collaborated with multiple contractors to carry out the works on schedule. Months of decontamination, demolition and preparation works were undertaken, prior to the explosive demolition.

Approximately 60% of the project scope was therefore undertaken through collaboration and engagement with strategic subcontractor partners, as well as external stakeholders.

Ward Demolition, New Zealand
PROJECT: Te Reinga Bridge - Cyclone damage
CLIENT: WSP New Zealand

In February of 2023 Cyclone Garbiel, a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone struck New Zealand, resulting in a tragic loss of lives and widespread destruction. Following Cyclone Gabrielle, Ward Demolition engaged in vital collaborations to support emergency response efforts. Teaming up with USAR (Urban Search and Rescue), they participated in arduous search and rescue operations and collaborated with Auckland Council on emergency deconstruction projects, including the demolition of the Mt Eden Shot Tower and the clearing of houses affected by landslides.

The most significant collaboration arose during the demolition of the Te Reinga bridge in the Hawke’s Bay. This formidable task involved safely collapsing the unstable, 100-meter-long bridge into the river and towing it up a steep embankment for dismantling. Weighing over 300 tonnes, the bridge suffered catastrophic damage from Cyclone Gabrielle, severing the connection between Ruakituri residents and the nearest township, Wairoa.

Ward Demolition joined forces with the Wairoa District Council and Quality Roading Services as the head contractor responsible for reinstating the bridge. Collaboratively, they devised an innovative methodology to tackle the highly technical challenge. Ward Demolition worked in tandem with Bay Underwater, dive experts who played a crucial role in the demolition, and a tow team led by Gisborne hiabs.