The American Institute of Steel Construction revealed the results of its Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel (IDEAS2) Award competition. AISC made the announcement before an audience of more than 4,000 industry professionals during the opening keynote of NASCC: The Steel Conference in Denver.
Nine projects, ranging from a cutting-edge Seattle skyscraper to a sophisticated staircase in a private New York home, represent the most innovative aspects of today’s design and construction industries.
“I always look forward to seeing the IDEAS2 Award winners, and once again the industry has made it very difficult for our judges to select winners among an outstanding pool of submissions,” said Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD. “It’s truly inspiring to see the ways today’s most creative minds work with structural steel to create modern landmarks. Congratulations to everyone who worked on these projects!”
Carter elected to present a special Presidential Award for Excellence in Structural Design this year. Seattle’s Rainier Square is the first building to use the SpeedCore composite steel/concrete core wall system–and SpeedCore shaved about 40% off its erection time! This project team took a chance on a new technology and reaped massive rewards. AISC salutes them for their leadership.
The 2022 AISC IDEAS2 winners are:
Presidential Award for Excellence in Structural Design: Rainier Square, Seattle
Owner: Wright Runstad & Company, Seattle
General contractor: Lease Crutcher Lewis, Seattle
Architect: NBBJ, Seattle
Structural engineer: Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Seattle
Judge comment: “Rainier Square was a proof-of-concept that directly demonstrates how amazing things can happen when cutting-edge research is paired with engineering design. The lessons learned from this project will be sure to have an effect on future high-rise construction for years to come.” – Jonathan Tavarez, PE, senior engineer, American Institute of Steel Construction
Merit Award – Less than $15 Million: 2Life Communities Administrative Offices, Brighton, Mass.
Owner’s representative: 2Life Communities, Brighton, Mass.
General contractor: Dellbrook | JKS, Quincy, Mass.
Architect: DiMella Shaffer Associates, Boston
Structural engineer: Odeh Engineers, Providence, R.I.
Fabricator/detailer/erector: Soucy Industries Inc., Pelham, N.H. AISC Full Member, AISC Certified Fabricator
Judge Scott Blair (editor-in-chief, Engineering News-Record) noted that the project was an elegant solution for a difficult project site and praised its skillful interconnections with existing structures.
Merit Award – $15 Million to $75 Million: L. Gale Lemerand Student Center at Daytona State College, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Owner: Daytona State College, Daytona Beach, Fla.
General contractor: Perry-McCall Construction, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla.
Architect: ikon.5 architects, New York
Structural engineer: BBM Structural Engineers, Inc., Longwood, Fla.
Steel team:
Fabricator/detailer: GMF Industries, Inc., Lakeland, Fla. AISC Full Member, AISC Certified Fabricator
Erector: GMF Steel Group, Lakeland, Fla. AISC Full Member, AISC Certified Erector
Judge comment: “As much as I enjoy clear, straightforward structural design I also take delight in the opposite. Hiding the support for the cantilever in the stair tower enclosure is an example of the structural engineer applying the stage magician’s tricks of sleight-of-hand and misdirection. And to a magical effect! I also appreciate the fact that the two bold moves of the cantilever and the portal were not just design-ey affectations but served a very clear purpose in creating a building that functions as an open and welcoming gateway to the campus.” – James Puckhaber, AIA, corporate practice leader – Atlanta, The S/L/A/M Collaborative
Merit Award – $15 Million to $75 Million: United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Owner: United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Colorado Springs, Colo.
General contractor: GE Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Architects: Anderson Mason Dale Architects, Denver; Diller Scofidio + Renfro, New York
Structural engineer: KL&A Engineers and Builders, Golden, Colo.
Steel team:
Fabricator: Drake-Williams Steel, Aurora, Colo. AISC Full Member, AISC Certified Fabricator
Erector: LPR Construction, Loveland, Colo. AISC Associate Member
Judge comment: “This is probably the best example of new projects in the country that showcase a solution that could only be achieved in steel. Tolerances and coordination efforts made this unique structure come to life in a way no other material could have.” -David Fennell, structural steel specialist – Seattle market, American Institute of Steel Construction
National Award – $75 Million to $200 Million: Allianz Field, St. Paul, Minn.
Owners: Minnesota United FC, St. Paul, Minn.; The TEGRA Group, St. Louis Park, Minn.
General contractor: M.A. Mortenson Co., Golden Valley, Minn.
Architect: POPULOUS, Kansas City, Mo.
Structural engineer: Walter P Moore, Kansas City, Mo.
Steel team:
Fabricator/detailer: Merrill Steel, Schofield, Wis. AISC Full Member, AISC Certified Fabricator
Erector: Danny’s Construction Co., Shakopee, Minn. AISC Associate Member, AISC Certified Erector
Bender/roller: Max Weiss Co., Milwaukee AISC Associate Member
Judge comment: “This type of project does not come to be without an intense level of engineering expertise, steel industry excellence, and a deep commitment to collaboration throughout the design and construction team. The iterative design process employed for the façade/skin design and the connections involved was impressive. I’m sure it is one of those things where it was complicated to implement and get everyone on board initially, but it made the process way smoother once things were up and running. Minnesota has been on my travel wish list, and this project just bumped it up a notch!” -Monica Shripka, PE, director of sales, marketing, and business development, NCSEA
National Award – $75 Million to $200 Million: The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences, Lubbock, Texas
Owner: Lubbock Entertainment and Performing Arts Association, Lubbock, Texas
Developer/other consultant: Garfield Public/Private LLC, Dallas
General contractor: Lee Lewis Construction Inc., Lubbock, Texas
Architect: Diamond Schmitt, Toronto
Architect/structural engineers: MWM Architects, Lubbock, Texas; Parkhill, Lubbock, Texas
Structural engineer: Entuitive, Toronto
Steel team:
Fabricators: Basden Steel Corp. Inc., Burleson, Texas AISC Full Member, AISC Certified Fabricator; TrueNorth Steel, Lubbock, Texas AISC Full Member, AISC Certified Fabricator
Erector: Deem Structural Services LLC, Longview, Texas AISC Certified Erector
Detailer: Foy Consulting & Engineering LLC, Overland Park, Kan. AISC Associate Member
Bender/roller: Albina Co., Tualatin, Ore. AISC Associate Member
Judge comment: “What an important and striking building for Lubbock!” -Monica Shripka, PE, director of sales, marketing, and business development, NCSEA
Merit Award – $75 Million to $200 Million: International Spy Museum, Washington
Owner’s representative: JBG SMITH, Chevy Chase, Md.
General contractor: Clark Construction Group LLC, Bethesda, Md.
Design architect: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, London
Architect of record: Hickok Cole, Washington
Structural engineer: SK&A Structural Engineers, PLLC, Washington
Steel team:
Fabricator: SteelFab Inc., Charlotte, N.C. AISC Full Member, AISC Certified Fabricator
Erector: Memco LLC, Culpeper, Va. AISC Full Member
Detailer: Prodraft Inc., Chesapeake, Va.
Judge comment: “This is a very innovative project with a good steel story and high level of collaboration.” -Monica Shripka, PE, director of sales, marketing, and business development, NCSEA
Merit Award – More than $200 Million: One Vanderbilt, New York
Owner: SL Green Realty Corp., New York
Construction manager: AECOM Tishman, New York
Architect: KPF, New York
Structural engineer: Severud Associates Consulting Engineers PC, New York
Steel team:
Fabricator/detailer: Banker Steel Co., LLC, Lynchburg, Va. AISC Full Member, AISC Certified Fabricator
Forged steel fabricator: Ellwood Specialty Steel, New Castle, Pa.
Erector: NYC Constructors LLC, New York AISC Associate Member, AISC Certified Erector
Judge comment: “The complexity of joining to the train station coupled with the intermediate trusses up through the tower made this project stand out. The variety of connections and coordination make this project very impressive.” -Bruce McEvoy, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, principal, design director, Perkins & Will
Merit Award – Sculpture/Art Installation/Non-building Structure: Ascension of the Celestial Maiden, New York
Owner: Robert Ciricillo, New York
General contractor: Excel Builders & Renovators Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Architect: Yoshihara McKee Architects, New York
Structural engineer: Yoshinori Nito Engineering and Design PC, New York
Judge comment: “[This project has a] really thoughtful solution for controlling steel tolerances, which was critical to the installation of the glass handrail.” -David Eckmann, SE, PE, FAIA, senior principal, Magnusson Klemencic Associates