19 well as rewarding those who have helped to make the business what is today over the last few decades. A company that places as much trust and responsibility in its employees as Structura does is a rare and refreshing sight, and goes some lengths in explaining the reasons behind these specialists being recognised with an award in this programme. Their expertise is second to none, as seen in the closer look we take at one of their most esteemed projects below, but what supports the team in this delivery is that Structura is a company built for fairness. Its most recent diversity survey indicates that the number of women it has on its team is increasing every year, as are the amount of women in management positions within Structura, taking the company well beyond the national averages for women in construction. “Social value guides our decisions and shapes our work”, Tara told us. “We are proud signatories of The Building Mental Health Charter since 2020 and continue to champion diversity and inclusion across our business, which comprises a team of 15 different nationalities. As a neuro-inclusive organisation, we also have dedicated ambassadors who support our teams and help create an environment where everyone can thrive. We are also committed to being a family-friendly employer, offering flexible working wherever possible, and paying the London Living Wage to all employees.” It is well known that teams working in these kinds of environments and with these kinds of incentives perform better, and Structura is a fitting example of this. A great case study demonstrating the strengths of its team can be seen in a huge and deeply prestigious project they carried out a couple of years ago at London’s National Gallery. To celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2024, the National Gallery completed a series of high-profile renovation projects across two years. Given more than six million people visit this Grade I listed museum every year, any project it carries out has to make its mark. This ambitious development was no different, and Structura being brought in for the renovation of the prestigious Sainsbury Wing entrance and first-floor area ensured that the highest standards of expertise and workmanship would be on display. Essentially, Structura’s role in the project was to increase the amount of light let inside this area of the gallery, spotlighting the activities and artworks contained inside. In doing so, the first impressions of visitors from all over the world rested on its shoulders. More than rising to the challenge, Structura utilised its sustainable construction and retrofit principles to improve the quality of light within the double-height entrance by upgrading it to a low iron, clear glass. All of the curtain walls and fixtures remained, upgraded only if they were deemed beyond repair. This task gave the team the fantastic learning opportunity of developing bespoke fittings for older systems long discontinued. Other jobs for the team included developing new face caps and gaskets, designing new dyes to replicate the originals, stripping the existing spandrel and adding non-combustible insultation to improve U-values, and contributing to a 29% reduction in baseline embodied carbon. Tara added: “We also refurbished the existing timber swing door. The bottom rails to both doors were repaired and the original lock cutouts patched in as necessary to maximise re-use of the original materials. Any glass we weren’t able to save was recycled.” Structura clearly had things under control across the project, but this is not to say that it was without its challenges, as jobs of this nature are always complex. For instance, there was an unforeseen archaeological dig taking place when the team were set to work, which moved the entire project back a few weeks and caused delays for the multiple contractors involved and the tight schedules they needed to adhere to. Then there was the difficult task of replacing the striking curved glass rotunda situated over the gallery’s Jubilee Walk. This proved to be a major technical challenge as the area had to remain open and in operation as the work was being carried out. In order to be as confident as it could possibly could, Structura scanned every pane of the existing curved glass with a 3D laser, creating a model that determined the correct profile of the finished piece. Once this model was complete, the team installed the glass outside of opening hours, making sure the highest levels of compliance and safety were adhered to right across the work. Safety and compliance are vital across every project undertaken by Structura, but another fundamental pillar of its work is sustainability. Be it favouring local production at its aforementioned manufacturing facility, investing in solar technology like panels and battery storage, or using zero-emission electric vehicles fuelled by the electricity generated from its own solar installation, every step the company takes has the future in mind. Structura’s commitment to sustainability has resulted in a number of awards over the years, with similar recognition following it across the wider retrofit space. Its commitment to sustainability and ongoing training have netted it similar praise, and its efforts in diversity, inclusion, and cultural transformation have even seen it recognised in this year’s edition of the UK Company Culture Awards, something which sits proudly alongside its team’s award here as the Best Façade & Glazing Refurbishment Specialists 2026 – UK. Ultimately, it is fair to say that Structura UK Limited is as motivated today as it was when it started, and whether the team are sharing new ideas, celebrating their successes, or going above and beyond in the pursuit of excellence, they know that when they give things their full attention and make it matter, then rewards will follow – as they have here. More on Structura can be found below.
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