February 2, 2018 - A dozen structural steel projects have earned recognition in the 2018 Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel awards program (IDEAS2). Conducted annually by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the IDEAS2 award is the highest honor bestowed on building projects by the U.S. structural steel industry and recognizes excellence and innovation in the use of structural steel on building projects across the country. The winning projects and their respective team members will be recognized at the 2018 NASCC: The Steel Conference, April 11-13 in Baltimore.

“We celebrate these projects and appreciate the savvy, creative people behind them for showcasing the beauty and usefulness of structural steel,” said Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD, president of AISC. “Our hearty congratulations to the award-winning teams for a great compilation of excellent solutions!”

A panel of design and construction industry professionals identified National and Merit winners in three categories, based on total constructed value: projects greater than $75 million; projects $15 million to $75 million; and projects less than $15 million. In addition, the panel awarded a Presidential Award of Excellence in Engineering to two projects for structural engineering accomplishment.

The 2018 award-winning projects are:

Projects Greater than $75 Million

National Award: 150 North Riverside, Chicago

150 North Riverside, Chicago / Credit: Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Michael Dickter

National Award: World Trade Center Transportation Hub (The Oculus), New York City

World Trade Center Transportation Hub (The Oculus), New York City / Credit: COWI North America

Merit Award: 111 Main, Salt Lake City

111 Main, Salt Lake City / Credit: Cesar Rubio and Skidmore, Ownings & Merrill 

Merit Award: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis

U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis / Credit: Joe Aker 

Projects $15 Million to $75 Million

National Award: USAFA Center for Character and Leadership Development, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

USAFA Center for Character and Leadership Development, Colorado Springs, Colo. / Credit: SOM © Magda Biernat

Merit Award: UC Davis Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, Davis, California.

UC Davis Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, Davis, Calif. / Credit: Iwan Baan, Iwan Baan - Photography Studio

Merit Award: Apple Union Square, San Francisco

Apple Union Square, San Francisco / Credit: Nigel Young, Foster + Partners

Merit Award: Daily's Place, Jacksonville, Florida.

Daily's Place, Jacksonville, Fla. / Credit: Root Photography 

Projects Less than $15 Million

National Award: North Transfer Station Rebuild, Tipping and Transfer Building, Seattle

North Transfer Station Rebuild, Tipping and Transfer Building, Seattle / Credit: Integrated Design Engineers

Merit Award: Riggs CAT Headquarters, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Riggs CAT Headquarters, Little Rock, Ark. / Credit: Timothy Hursley

Presidential Award of Excellence in Engineering

Promedica Corporate Headquarters, Toledo, Ohio

Promedica Corporate Headquarters, Toledo, Ohio / Credit: Scott Withers - HKS 

Hard Rock Stadium Shade Canopy Erection Plan, Miami Gardens, Florida.

Hard Rock Stadium Shade Canopy Erection Plan, Miami Gardens, Fla. / Credit: Hillsdale Fabricators 

The 12 IDEAS2 winners were chosen from nearly 100 submissions received from architectural, engineering and construction firms throughout the U.S. Each project was judged on its use of structural steel from both an architectural and structural engineering perspective, with an emphasis on: creative solutions to the project’s program requirements; applications of innovative design approaches in areas such as connections, gravity systems, lateral load resisting systems, fire protection and blast; aesthetic and visual impact of the project; innovative use of architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS); technical or architectural advances in the use of the steel; and the use of innovative design and construction methods.

The IDEAS2 program also recognizes the importance of teamwork, coordination and collaboration in fostering successful construction projects. Awards for each winning project will be presented to the project team members involved in the design and construction of the structural framing system, including the architect, structural engineer of record, general contractor, owner and AISC member fabricator, erector, detailer and bender-roller. The awards are presented to the team members at ceremonies held at each of the winning projects during the year.

For more information about the IDEAS2 awards and the winning projects, please visit www.aisc.org/ideas2.