Nine Projects Win Steel Industry’s Highest Design Honor

DENVER – 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.

AISC will begin accepting submissions for the 2023 IDEAS² Awards early this summer.

Images of all 2022 winners are available for download here. Additional photos available on request. Please note the photo credits in the file names.

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 Company, 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 Company, Shakopee, Minn. AISC Associate Member, AISC Certified Erector

Bender/roller: Max Weiss Company, 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 Corporation, 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, Ks. 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