Implementing an integrated approach to building envelopes
Since 1985, Salt Lake City-based Steel Encounters has understood that far from being just a simple outer wall or decorative element, a building’s envelope and façade determines its building’s structural identity, climate control, aesthetics and degree of energy performance.
To this end, this specialty subcontractor has tailored itself to provide a myriad of services that ensure best results for owners, contractors and architects including design-assist, preconstruction and façade engineering. This has resulted in the completion of complex and high-profile building envelope, curtainwall, and exterior panel systems projects throughout the Western United States and beyond.
“In the Architectural Division of Steel Encounters, commercial construction represents more than 95 percent of all work we perform,” says Derek Losee, business development and preconstruction manager. “Much of our work is related to building envelopes in metal and glass with approximately 35 percent of our total installed work as metal cladding. The balance of our focus is a mixture of exterior glass curtainwall as well as terracotta fiber cement and resin panels.” In 2015 the company will celebrate 30 years of success and continues to diversify its services to best serve the needs of its clients.
Steel Encounters projects
Landmark building projects include the $110 million Provo, Utah-based Nu Skin Enterprises Inc. corporate headquarters expansion, and the one-of-a-kind facility for Adobe System Inc.’s, Lehi, Utah-based technology campus as well as the recently completed Jessie Eccles Quinney Ballet West Centre, Salt Lake City. These allow Steel Encounters to demonstrate the importance of quality products and workmanship to the built environment.
The progressive design of the Nu Skin building includes many unique glass and metal panel systems, including a 14,800-square-foot suspended glass ceiling which spans the length of the Innovation Center. “The intricacy of the details on this job was significant,” Losee says. “The architect paid attention to fine details, which pulls off the clean look of the building. We worked with multiple glazing systems; it was a very technical project. The suspended glass ceiling is unique and probably the largest application we’ve seen for something like that.”
Designed to mimic Adobe’s transparency, the 280,000-square-foot campus features four floors of metal and glass. Steel Encounters’ extensive scope also encompassed providing and installing extremely large glass panels for the curtainwall. Spanning 44-feet tall, the multiple panels of glass were connected using aluminum mullions to minimize obstruction. Crews installed 150 lineal feet of curtainwall per day at the peak of operations.
Another example includes the Utah State Capitol Administrative Office Building in Salt Lake City, which underwent a major façade upgrade in 2013. Steel Encounters updated curtainwall systems, glazing, custom panels and aluminum sunshades on the building. A considerable amount of preplanning was required to accomplish the construction schedule while the building was occupied.
In 2012, Steel Encounters worked with a local Utah general contractor on a project in Honduras where the local contractors struggled to execute the project. Steel Encounters developed a sequence plan to ship materials, equipment and qualified work teams
(and their families) to Honduras. The project was executed without issue and the client was incredibly pleased that Steel Encounters came in under budget.
Encountering success
Founded in 1985 as a steel joist and deck provider, in 1993 Ira Field, current president and CEO, joined the company and was instrumental in building the Architectural Division to provide design assist solutions for exterior cladding systems in a variety of materials. “We’ve had some key people come on board at pivotal times and that has really driven the growth of the business,” Losee says. “In all areas, the company uses its wealth of knowledge and skill to find the best solutions for builders and owners.”
“We are a resource for architects and builders; they know they can count on us,” says Tom Jackson, vice president and architectural division manager. “Becoming part of a team early on in a design-assist capacity allows us to provide the best results for our clients, building owners and end users. The design and construction community has come to count on Steel Encounters for our experience, strength, and quality workmanship.”
Steel Encounters attributes its success to its corporate philosophy. “While others may have been battling out for a low bid position on the open market, we have been fortunate to be involved in more negotiated work where our company’s strengths, service, quality and performance were desired,” Losee says. “This philosophy has provided a tremendous value to our clients and helped us maintain a strong backlog of successful projects.”
The following three attributes: professional services, quality, and performance, are what Losee says it has consistently delivered throughout its 30-year history. “This may sound too simple a formula to set Steel Encounters apart from other companies, but I truly believe it is the consistency in which these three attributes have been delivered that makes the difference,” Jackson says. “Our formula, coupled with solid management practices, is what continues to make us successful and well respected among our clients, peers and vendors.”
Sidebar: Company Profile
Year Founded: 1985
Location: Corporate Headquarters and Architectural & Utah Structural Divisions: Salt Lake City
Northwest Structural Division: Seattle
Geographic Areas of Service: Steel Encounters focuses services in the Western United States,
but has performed work globally as well, including in Honduras.
Services Offered: Specialty subcontractor, material supplier of cladding systems products,
glazing, curtainwalls, sunshades and metal panel systems. Steel Encounters is also a manufacturer
representative of related products and a wholesale supplier steel joist and deck through its structural division.
Number of Employees: 200 employees
Management Team:
Ira Field, President & CEO
Tom Jackson, Architectural Division Manager
Derek Losee, Business Development Preconstruction Manager
Pam Foote, Utah Structural Division
Peter Hatton, Northwest Structural Division Manager
