ZIGA
On June 17, 2025, the biennial Zinkinfo Galvanizing Awards (formerly known as the Benelux Trophy for Hot Dip Galvanizing) were presented in Amsterdam. With this competition, Zinkinfo highlights the versatility and benefits of hot-dip galvanizing.
The judges awarded in five categories
Auxiliary heating plant Amsterdam came out as the winner in the Buildings category. This makes this unique project a three-peat, as it previously won awards at the National Steel Award and the Glass Award in the Netherlands. A huge water buffer, which plays a crucial role in the heat supply, together with all other technology of pumps and pipes, is enveloped by a shell of semi-transparent glass. The steel-glass combination produces a unique building that, like a sculpture, forms a beacon in its surroundings. Given the varying climatic conditions with different levels of humidity per room or building section, it was decided to hot-dip galvanize the steel structure from the uniform idea of architectural appearance. Especially when experiencing the different building parts (hall versus stairwell/buffer), this results in an equal image of the construction.
The award goes to Art installation Planetenpad in the Kattevennen nature reserve, one of the nine gateways to the Hoge Kempen National Park in Genk. It is an interactive and educational journey through our solar system, via a 2.5km long walking route. One of the most striking objects you will discover during the walk is a detailed scale model of our solar system, where the distances and sizes of the planets are illustrated in relation to the sun. The sun is depicted by a large steel scale, with a diameter of 12m and a height of 3m. The scale is composed of about 90 lasered flat steel (S235) elements that increasingly subdivide toward the top. Given its installation in an outdoor environment, the structure had to be effectively protected against corrosion. The choice of hot-dip galvanizing the entire structure was imperative. This preserves the existence of the art installation.
The Pompentoren in Ichtegem won the award in this category.
The main focus of the redevelopment of the characteristic and elegant brick Pump Tower was to preserve its original appearance. At the same time, there was an ambition to give the building a new function and layer of time: transformation into an observation tower. The addition had to not only strengthen the tower’s identity, but also create a subtle harmony between old and new.
The combination of galvanized steel and brick, old and new, heavy and light, results in a design that is more than a sum of materials. It is a carefully balanced dialogue between tradition and innovation, between function and aesthetics.
In Deventer’s Havenkwartier, where old harbor DNA and creativity come together, stands the sturdy residential building STAAL Havenkwartier. Inspired by port installations full of steel and pipes, the architectural firm designed an industrial “living machine” with 42 apartments, offices, studios, a car garage and an automatic parking system. The choice of steel was not only aesthetic, but also functional. Its flexibility, robustness and speed of assembly made steel the ideal material for the distinct design. It fits seamlessly with the port history and emphasizes the raw, industrial look of STAAL – a building where architecture, context and use of materials completely coincide.
The Vloedstegen bridge in Haaksbergen is a temporary solution consisting of a Balk bridge by Janson Bridging, constructed of two 13.5-meter spans with an intermediate support in the stream. A pedestrian and bicycle bridge was constructed on both sides, keeping light traffic separated from other traffic. The unique modular nature of this type of bridge makes it possible to link building blocks together. This allows bridges to be easily extended by combining several sections. For example, a span of 27 meters can be realized with two elements of
13.5 meters or three elements of 9 meters. Thanks to the dismountable connections, the systems are not only easy to assemble, but also dismountable and reusable.
The jury of the Zinkinfo Galvanizing Awards 2025 consists of five renowned experts:
– Mr. Niklaas Deboutte – META Architecture Bureau (jury president)
– Mr. Frank Maatje – Building with Steel
– Mr. Steven Nachtergaele – Snoeck
– Mr. Gijs Kannekens – Severfield
– Mr. Bruno Dursin – Believe in Steel
All submitted projects are included in a stylish publication, available free of charge through Zinkinfo Benelux. In addition, the realizations will be explained in detail in the next edition of Zinkinfo Magazine. On the Zinkinfo Benelux website, each project will have its own page with additional images and explanations.
