Innovative Structural Steel Building Projects Earn National Awards

by Jonathan McGaha | 8 May 2011 12:00 am

Fourteen structural steel building projects have earned national recognition in the 2011 Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel awards program (IDEAS²). Conducted annually by the American Institute of Steel Construction, the IDEAS² awards recognize outstanding achievements in engineering and architecture on steel-framed building projects throughout the U.S. The award is the highest honor bestowed on building projects by the structural steel industry in the U.S.

The winning projects were recognized on May 11 during AISC’s 2011 NASCC: The Steel Conference in Pittsburgh. A panel of design and construction industry professionals identified National and Merit winners in three categories, based on constructed value: projects less than $15 million; projects $15 million to $75 million; and projects greater than $75 million. In addition, the panel awarded a Presidential Award of Excellence to one project for structural engineering accomplishment.

Covering an array of project types including an airport terminal, a boutique office tower in Manhattan, a modern horse ranch in Texas, an action-sport trampoline facility, two power plant adaptive reuse facilities, and a tranquil park trail restroom, this year’s IDEAS² winners demonstrate the flexible and effective solutions provided by structural steel on a wide variety of building projects. Each project was judged on its use of structural steel, with an emphasis on creative solutions to project requirements; design innovation; aesthetic and visual impact of the project; innovative use of architecturally exposed structural steel; technical or architectural advances in the use of the steel; the use of innovative design and construction methods; and sustainable design and construction.

The 14 IDEAS² winners were chosen from nearly 100 submissions received from architectural and engineering firms throughout the U.S. The 2011 award-winning projects include:

Projects Less Than $15 Million

• National Award: Rio Roca on the Brazos religious facility, Palo Pinto, Texas
• National Award: Buckner Companies Home Office, Graham, N.C.
• National Award: Cutting Horse Ranch facility, North Texas
• Merit Award: The Power Plant at Rocketts Landing commercial adaptive reuse, Richmond, Va.
• Merit Award: Montecito Residence, Montecito, Calif.
• Merit Award: House of Air commercial adaptive reuse, Presidio Building 926, San Francisco
• Merit Award: Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail Restroom, Austin, Texas

Projects $15 Million to $75 Million

• National Award: New Gateway Building, Westchester Community College, Valhalla, N.Y.
• National Award: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Research Support Facility, Golden, Colo.
• National Award: Hypar Pavilion at Lincoln Center, New York

Projects Greater than $75 Million

• National Award: Mineta San Jose International Airport Terminal B and Concourse, San Jose, Calif.
• National Award: National Alabama Corporation Railcar Manufacturing Facility, Cherokee, Ala.
• Merit Award: 510 Madison Avenue, New York

Presidential Award of Excellence in Engineering

• Ottawa Street Power Station commercial adaptive reuse, Lansing, Mich.

Roger E. Ferch, P.E., president of AISC, commented, “The 2011 IDEAS² winners demonstrate that innovation and creativity can be found on building projects of every size and description. Steel continues to provide excellent solutions for the entire design and construction team, from architects, engineers and developers to fabricators, erectors, and general contractors. Congratulations to the award-winning teams for projects that combine creativity, economy, and technical achievement through the use of structural steel.”

Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/news/daily-news/ideas-award-winners/

---