Celebrating Excellence at the IABSE Awards 2025!

Last Friday, November 14th, 2025, we gathered at the stunning Lake Side in Zurich for an unforgettable evening celebrating the brightest minds in structural engineering. Nestled along the shores of Lake Zurich, the venue offered breathtaking views of the evening sky and shimmering water, creating the perfect ambiance for reconnecting and celebrating.

The evening kicked off at 5:00 PM with a delightful cocktail reception as guests began to arrive. Elegantly dressed attendees were greeted with a red carpet and media wall for their memorable photographs, then mingled in the foyer and on the terrace, enjoying the wonderful weather, Swiss wines, and delicious canapés while taking in the picturesque views of Zurich lake. It was a joy to witness old friends and colleagues reconnect after many years, and even to see some meeting in person for the first time despite working together on the same monumental projects.

As the evening progressed, guests made their way to the main hall, where the gala dinner awaited. Beautifully decorated round tables with elegant floral arrangements and candlelight, along with a captivating stage layout, set the scene for the ceremony. Excitement grew as the host of the evening, Philipp Bächstädt, welcomed everyone. The President, Harshavardhan Subbarao, and Executive Director, Chep Uytiepo, then delivered inspiring opening remarks, setting the tone for a night of recognition and celebration.

To open the ceremony, we honoured our members for their outstanding contributions through the People and Paper Awards, recognising individuals who have demonstrated remarkable dedication to the association.

This was followed by the Gala Dinner, where Lake Side Catering served local delicious specialties accompanied by fine Swiss wines. The presentation of the Project and Technology Awards came next, exceptional projects, showcasing achievements that were thoroughly enjoyed by all attendees. Sponsors were invited to the stage to announce the winners after receiving the sealed golden envelopes from the Jury Chair.

The evening flowed flawlessly, with many finalists stepping onto the stage to be recognised for their outstanding work. Each category winner was given the opportunity to share a brief speech, adding a personal and heartfelt touch to the celebration. The highlight of the night was the Gold Star Award, proudly presented to the Shenzhen–Zhongshan Link, China, for its exceptional contribution to engineering excellence.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the evening very special. We look forward to continuing this journey of excellence, innovation, and collaboration in the years to come!

IABSE Awards 2026
Submissions for entries to IABSE Awards 2026 are now open: Click here

Complete list of Awardees and Winners
People and Paper Awardees – Click here
Project and Technology Winners – Click here

Photos and videos are now available!
Official video - click here
Official Photos - click here

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